About Us
The External Relations Division advises the Director-General on external relations policies, promotes universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and liaises with governments, international organisations, the media, and non-governmental organisations. The division manages relations with OPCW’s Host Country–the Netherlands–and provides support regarding engagement with States Parties, partners, the public, and other identified stakeholders.
General Information
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Political Affairs and Protocol Branch (PPB) advises senior management on current and emerging issues, devises and implements strategies for achieving universality of the Convention, and liaises with States Parties. The Branch supports the Director-General and Deputy Director-General by preparing speeches, statements, and briefing notes; and manages all issues related to protocol, OPCW’s Host Country, and privileges and immunities.
PPB works to equip the OPCW with resonant messages about its work and mission, as well as to devise and advocate policies attuned to the organisation’s strategic operating environment. PPB also carries out policy and outreach activities with multiple stakeholders to advance the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention and to further promote its universality. The Branch also provides a key service delivery function in the form of protocol services and administration of privileges and immunities. PPB aims to deliver the latter through optimal implementation of the Headquarters Agreement and related host country arrangements.
Main Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of the Branch:
A. Provide protocol and liaison services to the OPCW (senior management and States Parties)
- Plan and organise hospitality engagements, such as official luncheons, receptions, exhibitions and other social events at the level of Director-General and Deputy Director-General;
- Plan and organise official visits to the OPCW by Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers and other high level dignitaries;
- Plan and organise official events, such as conferences, retreats, meetings and other special commemorative ceremonies at the level of Director-General and Deputy Director-General;
- Plan and organise official ceremonies such as the presentation of Letters of Credentials by newly appointed Permanent Representatives and MoU signing ceremonies.
B. Provide protocol services to Executive Council sessions, the annual Conference of the States Parties and major events and conferences hosted by the OPCW.
- Support the registration of members of permanent missions and other participants attending Sessions of the Executive Council and the Conferences of the States Parties;
- Administer the accreditation of Representatives to the Executive Council;
- Administer the accreditation of Representatives to the Conferences of the States Parties;
- Prepare and submit the (provisional) List of Participants to the Conference of the States Parties.
C. Oversee the administration of protocol-related services.
- Provide advice and make recommendations to the Head of Branch on standard operating procedures, working instructions and all other relevant branch functioning rules and guidelines while ensuring compliance of the branch’s work with international protocol guidelines and standards;
- Oversee budget implementation of the branch’s official hospitality and purchase of goods and services expenditure, provide advice and make recommendations to the Head of Branch in that regard;
- Mobilise and guide cross-organisational teams supporting Sessions of the Conference of the States Parties and associated events, such as the annual Victims Remembrance Day and the OPCW-The Hague Award.
D. Maintain a database with contact details of the Permanent Missions to the OPCW, National Authorities and Representatives to the Executive Council.
- Oversee the functioning and accuracy of the Communications and Address Management Database (COMMA), all maintenance and updating activities and liaise with States Parties and other OPCW divisions in that regard;
- Liaise with Permanent Missions, delegations and National Authorities to ensure the accuracy of the communication notified to the Organisation.
E. Provide other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
To view the complete job outline please click here.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
Advanced University degree (Master Degree or equivalent), in political science international relations, public administration, international law or related field. A first level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of diplomacy and international protocol with an advanced degree or 7 years relevant experience with a first level degree.
Desirable:
- Experience in the UN system or other international organisation.
- Exposure to diplomatic relations.
- Experience in planning and organising meetings, conferences or events.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent communication skills – both written and oral;
- Ability to plan and organise, and to work under pressure;
- Flexibility and problem solving skills;
- Tact, discretion, confidentiality;
- Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Ability to plan and organise international meetings with participants from governments, inter- and non governmental organisations.
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.
Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW Provident Fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW under the provisions for social security. As the OPCW is exploring membership of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), staff participation in the Provident Fund may be replaced by participation in the UNJSPF effective 1 January 2025.
Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.
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’.
