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.
General Information
- Contract Type
Fixed-term Professional - Grade
P3 - Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
7,382 - Closing Date
18/09/2025
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) Division manages the OPCW's international cooperation and assistance activities. The Division serves as the platform to provide capacity-building support aimed to assist States Parties in: facilitating full and effective national implementation of the Convention (Article VII); enhancing assistance and protection against chemical weapons (Article X); and promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry for their economic and technological development (Article XI).
ICA also runs the OPCW Africa Programme to ensure that special needs and circumstances of the region are addressed in a coordinated and effective manner. The Division is managed by a Director and has three Branches: Implementation Support (IPB), Assistance and Protection (APB), and International Cooperation (ICB), each headed by a Head of Branch.
The Assistance and Protection Branch provides States Parties with expert advice and programmes to develop and improve their emergency response capacity against the use or threat of use of chemical weapons.
The Branch supports States Parties to develop chemical emergency response plans, training programmes, procedures and standards, and appropriate dispatching and receiving mechanisms for assistance. It also supports the development of expertise of first responders and emergency management personnel to properly deal with chemical incidents.
The Branch is also responsible for the maintenance of a state of readiness within the Organisation to respond rapidly and effectively to a request of assistance made by a State Party pursuant to Article X and to coordinate and deliver assistance to the requesting State Party. States Parties can request this assistance from the OPCW if chemical weapons are used against them or they are threatened by such use.
Main Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head, Assistance and Protection Branch (H/APB), the incumbent is responsible for the following:
a) Supporting APB programmes, projects and activities for implementation of Article X.
- Under H/APB supervision and in consultation with the team, collaborating with State Party institutions, divisions, and other partners to design programmes/projects that integrate best practice, innovative policies, quality management standards, and a results‑based approach for capacity‑building, including chemical emergency response training and national/regional exercises;
- Evaluating activities undertaken, using APB evaluation templates/forms, and preparing analytical reports detailing outcomes, key achievements, and recommendations for effective implementation of future activities;
- Coordinating successful project implementation, establishing collaborative relationships with State Party institutions, and recommending innovative approaches to project execution and capacity‑building;
- Administering the organisation of national and regional courses, including preparing invitations/correspondence, managing travel and visa arrangements, shipping equipment, liaising with host authorities, and drafting financial arrangements.
b) Supporting the assessment and interpretation of the political, social, and economic environment in assigned regions, providing inputs to Branch programming through regular updates to H/APB and the team;
c) Developing and maintaining networks and partnerships with national institutions, regional bodies, and stakeholders to raise awareness of Assistance and Protection, ensuring the expert/stakeholder database remains up to date;
d) Contributing to resource mobilisation in consultation with H/APB and APB team, proposing projects needing extra funding, and identifying funding options;
e) Receiving, collating, and analysing submissions by States Parties on national protection programmes (para. 4) and assistance offers (para. 7) of Article X;
f) Regularly updating and maintaining the Protection and Assistance Database (PAD), acting as focal point for State Parties’ engagement, collaborating with ISB on functionality enhancements, and troubleshooting issues;
g) Liaising with delegations, National Authorities, and other stakeholders to promote full Article X implementation and encourage broad support for Secretariat initiatives, delivering presentations where needed;
h) Developing, designing, and maintaining APB’s e‑learning programmes in consultation with H/APB and senior technical officers, using tools such as Articulate;
i) Ensuring adequate knowledge management and transfer within the team to support transparent programme development in line with Article X, including updating and sharing information via APB SharePoint folders;
j) Providing reporting as needed, including event reports, Article X reports, ICA reports, and backgrounders;
k) Performing other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- An advanced university degree in international relations, political science, public administration, business administration, science, engineering or related discipline;
- A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of public administration or international cooperation with advance degree or 7 years with first level;
- At least 2 years of experience required in the development and conduct of capacity development programmes;
- Experience in capacity building techniques and developing strategies, analysing issues and implementing them in an international context.
Desirable:
- Experience working with disarmament issues in a national or international organization;
- Experience providing support to States Parties on special projects, and working directly with National Authorities;
- Knowledge and experience in programme management and project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
- Experience in capacity building techniques for first responders including on implementation of Article X of the CWC and developing strategies;
- Previous working experience in an international organisation in a related field;
- Technical skills in data analysis, specifically the use of power BI, and other information management tools;
- Previous experience on budget tracking, donor reporting and proposal writing will be desirable.
Skills and Competencies
Abilities (Key Competencies)
- Good planning and organisational skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills;
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) including the ability to prepare presentations and reports, and to draft official letters;
- Flexibility and ability to work under pressure;
- Personal qualities should include tact, ability to share information as required, accuracy and discretion and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment and maintain a positive and productive team environment;
- Good knowledge of MS Office applications;
- Knowledge of the CWC and the activities of the OPCW desirable.
Languages
Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.
Additional Information
This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.
The OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The total length of service for Professional staff shall not exceed 7 years.
The mandatory age of separation at the OPCW is 65 years.
The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. Several vacancies may be filled.
Only fully completed applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
According to article 8 paragraph 44 of the Chemical Weapons Convention the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
OPCW is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. OPCW recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
OPCW General Terms and Conditions
Important notice for applicants who are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system
Although headquartered in the Netherlands, the OPCW is not a regular Dutch employer but a public international organisation with its own special status. Please be advised that if you are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system, you will be excluded from this system as a staff member of the OPCW. You will consequently be insured under the organisation’s system. The above also applies to your dependents unless they are employed by a regular Dutch employer, they are self-employed in the Netherlands, or are receiving Dutch social security payments.
Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for more information about the possible consequences for you and your dependents, such as exclusion from ‘AWBZ’ and ‘Zorgverzekeringswet’ coverage: ‘Werken bij een internationale organisatie’.