Legal Adviser; Director; D

About Us

The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity, and to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development.

The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Director
• Grade
  D2
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  15,952
• Closing Date
  22/02/2026

The Office of the Legal Adviser (LAO) provides centralised legal service to the Director-General, the Secretariat and Member States facilitating the effective functioning of OPCW in accordance in full compliance with the legal framework established under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the internal regulations of the OPCW, and international law; maximisation of the protection of the legal interests of the OPCW and its Secretariat and the minimisation of legal risks and liabilities.

Under the supervision of the Director-General, the Legal Adviser (Director) is responsible for providing legal advice and expertise to the Director-General on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules, OPCW Financial Regulations and Rules, Administrative Directives, privileges and immunities, facility agreements, relationship agreements with other international organisations, and technical cooperation. The Legal Adviser (Director), provides leadership, guidance and direction, both on legal policy related matters, to the LAO staff.

Responsibilities:

1) Strategic Legal Advice:

• Serve as the principal legal adviser to senior management, providing authoritative legal counsel on governance, institutional policy, complex legal risk and compliance matters;
• Oversee the provision of comprehensive legal services to the Director-General, Technical Secretariat and the Executive Council on a broad range of legal matters, proposing solutions or amendments bearing in mind long-term risk mitigation;
• Provide strategic legal advice on complex policy, programme or sensitive matters and ensure consistent application of legal instruments as well as adherence to data protection requirements;
• Advise management on confidential and time-sensitive legal matters, including advising on long term implications relating to the functions, structures and activities of the Organisation.

2) Executive Leadership:

• Lead the strategic direction, management and performance of the Office, including staff, programme delivery and budget execution, ensuring results-based implementation aligned with organisational priorities;
• Provide authoritative oversight of data protection, information governance and compliance with internal governance and applicable international standards, ensuring mitigation of legal, operational and reputational risks;
• Guide the drafting of legal related instruments, such as contracts and agreements, rules and regulations and other legislative documents.

3) Representation:

• Represent and advocate for the Organisation in litigation proceedings, administrative tribunals and other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies;
• Take part in official visits to Member States, meeting with Government Officials and representatives of the National Governments;
• Represent the Office at meetings of the Executive Council, informal consultations with delegations, the Management Board and other committees or boards;
• Engage in discussion with the host country, advocating for the Technical Secretariat and advising the Director-General on policy and operational issues impacting on the Organisation and its workforce;
• Represent the Organisation in high-level inter‑agency, Member State and external partner engagement, leading legal negotiations and articulating the Organisation’s legal positions and interests.

4) Perform other duties as requested.

Essential:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in…