About Us
The OPCW’s Verification Division works towards achieving chemical disarmament and preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons through participation in the planning and oversight of inspections at both military and chemical industry facilities. The division also manages declarations while maintaining and strengthening the scientific capabilities of the Organisation, especially its laboratory component. The division also conducts Technical Assistance Visits at the request of States Parties.
The Division is responsible for the day-to-day operation of OPCW’s verification regime. It is a key element of the Secretariat, using trustworthy and science-based information to implement all aspects of the Convention including decisions from the Policy Making Organs.
General Information
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Industry Verification Branch (IVB) is one of the four branches within the Verification Division, together with the Chemical Demilitarisation Branch (CDB), the Declarations Branch (DEB) and the OPCW Laboratory (LAB).
The core function of the IVB is to provide the organisation with means of assessing compliance with the Convention by implementing verification under Article VI. IVB accomplished this function by pursuing the following goals:
- managing the policy and technical aspects of the planning, oversight, support and conclusion of inspections under Article VI;
- providing the necessary contributions to internal and external reports of the Secretariat related to the determination of compliance and the evaluation of on-site inspection activities; providing technical and other support for capacity building efforts; and
- providing technical support for the various advisory boards.
The Industry Verification Branch team is looking for a dedicated professional with a background in chemical engineering, experience in multiple types of chemical operations and chemical technologies, capable to process safety activities as well as employ experience working in a toxic environment.
Main Responsibilities
Working under the direct supervision of the Head, Industry Verification Branch, the Senior Industry Officers will have the following responsibilities:
1. Executes short-term planning of allocated inspections under Article VI (Activities not Prohibited) of the Convention, supervises their execution and facilitates the production of Final Inspection Reports (FIRs) by the Inspection Teams (ITs) in accordance with the provisions of the OPCW Confidentiality Regime and the timelines of the Convention by:
- Access and evaluate declarations and documentation, determine inspection requirements (e.g., number of inspectors), review and recommend the Draft Warning Order, and prepare the Inspection Mandate for approval and translation.
- Brief the Inspection Team (IT) on technical and policy matters, provide ongoing guidance during the inspection, monitor progress, and ensure the team is equipped with all necessary documentation.
- Debrief the IT, guide the development of the Final Inspection Report (FIR), assess treaty compliance, and draft communications to the inspected State Party and top management.
- Address uncertainties or violations, engage with State Party representatives to resolve outstanding issues, and draft closure letters or follow-up documentation as needed.
- Participate in technical visits, negotiate Facility Agreements, and serve as Chief Technical Planning Officer for challenge inspections at industrial facilities.
2. Support other Verification Branches as required:
- Developing, supporting and implementing a consistent verification regime at chemical weapons production facilities (CWPF) and at chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDF) in support to CDB when needed.
3.Supports Management of the Branch, the Division and the Secretariat by:
- Provide expert advice to Management on chemistry, treaty compliance, policy matters, and the implications of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, gene tech, nanotech) on verification regimes.
- Select plant sites for inspection, develop and update inspection schedules, and contribute to Verification Implementation Reports and budget planning.
- Create and manage industry-related databases, develop SOPs and guidelines, and recommend methodologies to enhance verification effectiveness and efficiency.
- Advise States Parties, industry stakeholders, NGOs, and other external organizations on Convention-related issues, and represent the Branch in various Secretariat Committees and councils.
- Make recommendations on confidentiality practices, act as Branch Head when designated, and support Secretariat Management Committees with background information and implementation of decisions.
4. Supports the work of the Policy Making Organs (PMOs) of the OPCW.
5. Represents the Secretariat in contacts with outside organisations and provides inputs to Secretariat training programs.
6. International Duty Travel to be undertaken as per the requirement of the assignment.
7. Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
An advanced university degree in the fields of chemical engineering and/or organic chemistry, or a closely related field. A relevant first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum nine years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Equivalent or specialized training in combination with at least thirteen years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree.
Desirable:
Qualifications in both chemical engineering and organic chemistry would be an asset. An additional degree in business or management (MBA) would be an asset.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
A minimum of 7 years relevant experience with operations in the chemical industry with advanced degree, 9 years relevant experience with first level degree, 13 years relevant experience with equivalent or specialized training. The experience should involve:
- industrial chemistry support for product development or chemical production; or
- conduct of plant operations; or
- chemical process design/development/optimisation; or
- process safety activities, including quantitative risk assessment, hazard and operability studies, auditing, etc.; or
- R&D chemical development or R&D chemical process design in agrochemicals or pharmaceuticals; or
- plant design or scale-up.
- Experience in multiple types of chemical operations
- Experience with multiple chemical technologies.
- Expertise in the use of MS Office packages (databases, spreadsheet, and word processing).
- Experience working in a toxic environment while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Desirable:
Preferably hands-on, practical in-plant experience, International experience; experience receiving or otherwise supporting Article VI inspections under the CWC.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) including the ability to prepare reports.
- Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
- Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment.
- Demonstrable ability to work with the confines of a strict confidentiality regime.
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’.
