About Us
The Inspectorate Division (INS) is responsible for the efficient and effective deployment of inspection teams to both military and commercial facilities around the world, as required by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The Division maintains readiness to conduct Challenge Inspections (CI) and Investigations of Alleged Use (IAU), and to deploy the Rapid Response and Assistance Mission (RRAM) to Member States, as needed, in the event of a chemical incident.
General Information
Contract TypeFixed-term ProfessionalGrade
P4Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
10,501Closing Date
24/08/2025
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Mission of the Inspectorate Division (INS) is to implement Articles IV, V and VI of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), by efficient and effective deployment of Inspection Teams (IT) to Member States. The Division maintains readiness to conduct Challenge Inspections (CI) and Investigation of Alleged Use (IAU) and provides assistance to protect against the use of Chemical Weapons (CW), in accordance with Articles IX and X, as well as participation in Non-Routine Missions (NRMs), in accordance with decisions of the OPCW Policy Making Organs or the OPCW Director General (DG) instruction.
This post is located in the Office of the Director, Inspectorate Division (ODOI) and works under the direct supervision of the Director, Inspectorate Division (DOI).
Main Responsibilities
The Incumbent of the post will be responsible for the following:
1. Execute the functions of special advisor/assistant to the DOI and provide support by undertaking the following activities:
Managing and coordinating the flow of information, activities and decisions for the DOI;Preparing, coordinating and prioritising high-level issues, plans, assignments and pending decisions for DOI consideration;Following-up on action items from Division and cross-Division meetings, committees and advisory boards, supporting coordination and cooperation;Providing a link between strategic issues and operational execution of activities under the purview of the DOI, ensuring correspondence of operational activities to strategic directions as directed by the DOI;Drafting talking points and notes/background material for DOI discussions with Member States and preparing records of discussions;Oversee Divisional knowledge management strategies, in coordination with other INS branches/units;Draft reports, concept notes, documents, presentations, and other papers on the Division activities and represent the Division in meetings as assigned;Actively identifying areas of activity for DOI's consideration with specific reference to stakeholder management, analysing and preparing documentation;Drafting memos and correspondence for the DOIโs signature;Serving as the principal aid to the DOI.
2. Take the lead in developing, monitoring, and evaluating projects for the Division as directed by the DOI:
Coordinate cooperation between the INS and external stakeholders, including projects related to special funding/voluntary contributions;Foster strong relations with relevant Institutions, and their Officials and representatives, establishing a network of internal and external stakeholders, developing and managing a framework of outreach activities to support Divisional and cross-Divisional initiatives and international co-operation;Researching, reviewing, and making recommendations to the DOI on extra-budgetary project proposals, with particular emphasis on reviewing and analysing complex information from a broad range of sources and facilitating appropriate outcomes;Monitoring the status of implementation of extra-budgetary projects, issuing reports to support decision-making;Preparing timely reports, identifying any deviations from the approved implementation plan and advising the DOI on the most suitable course of action.
3. Other:
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
Advanced University degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline including the area of International law, International relations, Disarmament/military law, Natural science or Engineering (ideally chemistry), Management, Business administration, from an accredited college or university;A first level University degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced University degree;Equivalent or specialised training in combination with at least thirteen years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a University degree.
Desirable:
Professional certification in Programme and or Project management;Experience in overseeing organisational programme budgets and methodologies;Experience in Results-Based Management.Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
At least 7 years of professional experience in a relevant field in Legal services, Policy management or Administration management, preferably with International organisation (s), which have on-going interface with Governments and other International Organisations;Expert knowledge of analysis/review โ primarily related to International treaty obligations or technical (ideally chemical) industry;Experience in effectively communicating and negotiating win-win outcomes to issues and influencing others including those more senior;Experience in collaborating with others (often more senior staff members), in communicating effectively, and in coordinating /supporting colleagues who lead on implementation;Experience in establishing and maintaining effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable:
Experience in Disarmament, Arms control and/or Non-proliferation;Knowledge of chemical disarmament and/or the chemical industry;Experience in International Organisations, Government, or not-for-profit sector;Experience in National or International policy development;Experience in managing budgets, including forecasting, monitoring spends, and applying basic budget principles;Experience in implementing change in an organizational environment.Skills and Competencies
Excellent strategic awareness and political acumen;Excellent analytical skills (e.g. quickly identifying the essence of a complex issue) and ability to initiate and implement necessary action that is proportionate to the issue at hand;Strong planning skills, ability plan and to identify risks and how to mitigate them;Excellent communication skills โ both oral and written โ and excellent stakeholder management skills, including strong ability to deliver results through others and to persuade those more senior. Ability to persuade, and to communicate key issues clearly;Client orientation: ability to understands clients' needs and concerns, and to respond effectively to client needs;Drive for results: ability to be proactive and innovative in seeking solutions in collaboration with INS business process owners;Teamwork: ability to collaborate with others in cross-unit teams and to work effectively in diverse and multicultural teams. Influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries: promoting collaboration and facilitating teamwork across organizational boundaries;Learning and knowledge sharing: open to new ideas, shares own knowledge, builds partnerships knowledge sharing.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.
Applications from candidates who are eligible to be considered in accordance with the Organisation's provisions regarding re-hiring of Inspectors will be accepted.
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 organisationโs 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 โAWBZโ and โZorgverzekeringswetโ coverage: โWerken bij een internationale organisatieโ.