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 General Service
• Grade
  GS4
• Estimated monthly remuneration: Euro
  3,736
• Closing Date
  31/12/2025

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Declarations Branch (DEB) is part of the Verification Division. It provides the OPCW with a means to assess compliance by States Parties with the declaration-related provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). All declarations and other verification-related information is handled within the Declarations Branch. The branch maintains and updates the Declarations Handbook, and the tools for identification of scheduled chemicals. It also maintain majority of software used by the Verification Division, including data analytics and secure communication tools. It also provides electronic declaration tools for States Parties.

Declaration Validation and Evaluation Section evaluates and validates Article III, IV, V, and VI declarations received from States Parties (SPs); assists SPs in fulfilling their declaration obligations pursuant to requirements of Articles III, IV, V and VI of the CWC; develops and maintain declaration tools; participates in capacity building and outreach activities for SPs through different events and trainings; keeps abreast of the latest developments in the field of demilitarisation and chemical industry processes related to scheduled chemicals, evaluating their possible impact to the declaration/verification regime.

This post is located in the Declaration Validation and Evaluation Section and works under the direct supervision of Head, Declaration Validation and Evaluation.

Main Responsibilities

• Input declarations into the Verification Information System (VIS) and validate inputs by other section members;
• Input and validate declaration amendments in the VIS and other data repositories and identify issues for clarification;
• Provide unofficial translations of declarations and verification-related information on occasional basis (French into English);
• Assist in the preparation of annual reports, letters, Notes Verbales, declarations-related ad hoc reports and papers for use internally within the OPCW or release to States Parties and requests for clarification for approval by the Head of Section;
• Process all correspondence in line with the necessary work steps, and ensure that all responses are correctly matched and logged;
• Assist in editing/formatting of documents and correspondence, in accordance with Editorial and Correspondence Manuals;
• Perform other duties, as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• High school diploma or equivalent diploma of higher secondary education.

Desirable:

• Additional training in information processing or chemistry would be an asset; knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and its declaration requirements.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• At least three years of progressively responsible related experience in the use of electronic data management systems gained in international organisations, governmental agencies or the private sector with a strong focus on data entry and validation.

Desirable:

• Experience gained in international organisations.

Skills and Competencies

• Significant skill in using computers is essential with an especial emphasis on the knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and Data Management Systems;
• Solid understanding of confidentiality requirements;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Good planning and organisational skills;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills;
• Tact, accuracy, discretion and the ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment and create a positive and productive team environment.

Languages

Fluency in English and a good working knowledge of French is essential. Good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.

Additional Information

Staff members in the General Services category are normally recruited and paid on a local basis.

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 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.

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’.