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
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Chemical Demilitarisation Branch provides the OPCW with a means to assess and facilitate compliance of the State Parties (SPs) in relation to their obligations related to chemical weapons as stated in the Convention by implementing the verification regime for Chemical Weapons (CW) and CW related facilities under Articles IV, V and Parts II, III, IV (A), IV (B) and V of the Verification Annex, as well as supporting the verification regime for challenge inspections and investigation of alleged use of CW under Articles IX and X.
Responsibilities:
Develop, support and implement a consistent verification regime at CW storage, destruction and production facilities (CW related facilities):
- Review and analyse initial and amended declarations as well as other relevant submissions by SPs, including general and annual plans for destruction, detailed facility information and annual destruction reports;
- Prepare and agree with the SPs concerned detailed plans for verification of CW destruction based on the provisions of the Convention, declarations, facility information, initial visits and bilateral discussions; submit these plans for consideration and adoption by the Executive Council (EC);
- Prepare facility agreements and detailed agreed plans for verification for CW related facilities including any necessary amendments; organise and co-ordinate with other branches/divisions and negotiate such agreements with the SP concerned;
- Gather and assess scientific and technical information related to the CW destruction processes, specific features of destruction technologies and operational parameters, design/configuration of CW to be destroyed, monitoring devices installed to provide assurance that no CW are diverted and the destruction process has been completed;
- Evaluate during initial visits and final engineering reviews of CW destruction facilities the proposed methods of destruction. Assess the adequacy of specific technological features and operational parameters meet Convention requirements regarding confirmation of endpoint of destruction and CW non-diversion. Establish and agree with the SP the verification measures to be applied on-site;
- Evaluate the detailed plans for destruction of CW production facilities or requests for conversion, prepare and negotiate corresponding combined plans in accordance with Convention and relevant EC decisions;
- Evaluate the sufficiency of on-site monitoring equipment, procedures and the ability of the inspection team to perform verification activities with a proper level of confidence in a cost-efficient manner. Propose upgrading of monitoring equipment, revision of procedures, if necessary;
- During systematic verification of destruction, evaluate the effectiveness of verification activities, analyse deficiencies, and recommend corrective measures or alternative verification methodologies;
- Compare and confirm SPs’ annual reports on destruction with data on CW monthly activities;
- Ensure that the processing of confidential information handled is in accordance with the Confidentiality regime;
- Responsible for technical and verification related aspects of planning and preparation of inspections at CW related facilities; ensure quality of inspections;
- Instruct inspection teams on implementation of inspection mandates; advise them on inspection aims, site information, policy requirements, operational instructions and specific verification regime and techniques to be used;
- Monitor the progress of on-site inspections and visits; advise inspection teams on verification-related policy and technical issues;
- Review interim reports and documents on preliminary factual findings and guide inspection teams preparing final reports to ensure consistency with the Convention, decisions of the EC and Conference of SPs, inspection mandate and policy requirements;
- Draft inspection related correspondence to inspected SPs and forward final inspection reports within the time limit set forth in the Convention. Advise management on verification results and recommend follow-up actions where necessary;
- Discuss with the experts/representatives of SPs and seek resolution of any inspection and policy issue that requires further attention.
Provide input to internal and external reports of the Secretariat and assist in the resolution of outstanding issues by providing technical support to the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), cluster groups and SPs:
- Provide technical input for development of special reports of the Secretariat, including annual and verification implementation reports;
- Participate in consultations with States Parties and provide technical assessments and proposals to address verification-related issues with respect to CW-related facilities;
- Prepare information on the results of verification activities for the Director-General, EC, and Conference of SPs; develop and submit reports and documents related to the progress of CW destruction and the implementation of systematic verification of CW destruction;
- Provide technical advice to the SAB and cluster groups for the resolution of outstanding unresolved issues.
Lead knowledge management activities with regard to the verification at the CW related facilities.
Provide technical and lecturing support for training activities and during international events; participate in bilateral technical visits and inspections:
- Support training of inspectors, National Authorities and staff in matters related to Article IV and Part IV (A) of the Verification Annex;
- Participate as inspector in initial visits, final engineering reviews, systematic verification of CW destruction, and challenge inspections;
- Use the experience gained during on-site inspections to increase efficiency of verification-related Headquarters tasks;
- Represent the Secretariat at international workshops, conferences and symposia.
Perform any other duties, as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- Advanced university degree in chemistry or chemical engineering;
- A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Desirable:
- Knowledge management training or certification would be an asset.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- Experience in the field of chemical demilitarisation and/or chemical weapons technology - minimum of 7 years relevant experience in combination with a Master Degree, or 9 years relevant experience with a first level degree.
Desirable:
- Significant experience with using ICT tools and carrying out ICT related activities in support of the primary business processes;
- Experience working at an international level would be an asset;
- Experience in development and implementation of disarmament verification regimes would be an asset;
- Experience working in a toxic environment while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Skills and Competencies
- Enhanced ICT (Information and Communication Technology) skills to carry out analytical and reporting activities using the in-house developed software package supporting the CW verification regime;
- Analytical and conceptual skills;
- Problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;
- Ability to plan and organise, and to work under pressure and subject to urgent deadlines;
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written) including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations;
- Tact, discretion and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment.
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
Please note that all vacancies will close at 22:00 The Netherlands local time on their respective closing day. Thereafter, the vacancy announcements will no longer appear in the Candidate Portal and you will no longer be able to submit your application. We recommend that you apply well in advance of the deadline.
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’.
