Seventh Session

(27 June - 1 July 1994)

NOTE BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

PROPOSED ADJUSTMENTS TO

PHASE I STAFFING REQUIREMENTS - 1994

1. In his Note PC-VI/13, the Executive Secretary requested certain adjustments to staffing to be made from the 1994 Budget. The Commission approved the early recruitment of those posts in the Verification Division which had previously been identified as required at EIF minus 7 months and for which funding had been provided in the 1994 Budget, Part I (PC-VI/13, paragraph 3(b)). The Commission referred the remaining 9 requests to the Expert Group on Programme of Work and Budget for a recommendation to the Seventh Session of the Commission.

2. The Executive Secretary has further reviewed these requests and would ask the Expert Group to take the following into consideration:

2.1 Security Branch

In his earlier request, the Executive Secretary proposed the bringing forward of a P-3 Security Officer from Phase II into Phase I for immediate appointment (Reference, PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(d)(i)).

On further reflection and after consultation with Member States, the Executive Secretary has concluded that it would be more appropriate to create a new branch within the Administration Division to be headed by an officer of at least P-4 grade to handle security questions; this officer should be supported by a GS-PL Security Assistant, a post also currently foreseen for appointment during Phase II (but not included in the PC-VI/13 request).

The rationale for the creation of the new branch at this stage is that the time has come to take an integrated approach to security questions. The Secretariat needs to become an organisation operating in a fully secure manner and capable of transforming itself into a Technical Secretariat operating under the full requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention and, particularly, its Confidentiality Annex. The task of the branch, in consultation with other branches, particularly Declarations and Confidentiality and Data Systems, will include the preparation of security procedure manuals, putting physical security measures into place, providing staff training and, through these and other means, inculcating the necessary security philosophy in the Organisation at all levels, to provide a secure working environment.

3. The Executive Secretary would emphasise the particular priority which he would like to have placed on the following appointments:

3.1 P-2 Head of Registry and Library, General Services Branch

(PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(d)(ii))

3.2 GS-OL Secretary, Recruitment Section, Personnel Branch

(PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(e)(iv))

3.3 GS-OL Secretary, Budget and Finance Branch

(PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(e)(v))

4. The Executive Secretary considers that there is also a high operational priority for the following:

4.1 GS-OL Travel Clerk, General Services Branch

(PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(e)(iii))

4.2 GS-OL Procurement Clerk, General Services Branch

(PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(e)(ii))

4.3 GS-OL Receptionist (part-time), General Services Branch

(PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(e)(i))

4.4 P-3 Political Research Officer, External Relations Division

(PC-VI/13, paragraph 3(c))

5. P-3 Building Officer, General Services Branch

(Reference, PC-VI/13, paragraph 4(a))

The Executive Secretary informed the Commission that he could meet these requirements, originally identified by the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, by use of temporary assistance in 1994. The appropriate arrangements have already been put into place and a suitably qualified officer is now working in the Secretariat for two days a week on building-related questions. The Executive Secretary believes that it may be necessary to proceed with the recruitment of a full-time officer later in the development of the building project if the Commission decides to proceed with the option of a new purpose-built building. Further consideration of this post should, therefore, take place in the context of the 1995 Budget.

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