About Us

The OPCW internship programme is aimed at motivated students with an interest in gaining experience in international organisations. The programme normally provides work placements in the Technical Secretariat for a three to six month period. The objective of the internship is to provide you with first-hand experience in the day-to-day working environment of an international organisation. You will work with our international experts towards the OPCW mission to achieve a world permanently free of chemical weapons.

As part of our team, working directly with outstanding and inspiring career professionals, you will be exposed to high-profile conferences, participate in meetings, and contribute to our analytical work as well as the organisational policy of the OPCW.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Intern
• Remuneration
  540 EUR
• Closing Date
  05/02/2026

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The International Cooperation and Assistance Division serves as international provider and platform for providing specialised and technical assistance in support of States Parties efforts to meet their obligations under the Convention through a portfolio of wide range of programmes and projects. These capacity building programmes are aimed at contributing to build and enhance States Parties capacity to fostering the use of chemistry for peaceful purposes for the economic and technological development of the States Parties; facilitating the national implementation and responding and dealing with threats involving toxic chemicals.

The International Cooperation Branch develops and runs a portfolio of international cooperation programmes, including capacity building projects aimed at fostering peaceful use of chemistry for the economic and technological development of the Member States.

These programmes are classified in three strategic areas of Integrated Chemicals Management; Enhancing Laboratory Capabilities and chemical knowledge promotion and exchange.

The International Cooperation Branch would like to invite applications from qualified and eligible candidates for internship in the two (2) different projects:

PROJECT 1

Purpose of Internship:

Interns will be given an opportunity to learn on the following areas:

1. Supporting the effective implementation of the International Cooperation Branch capacity building activities in all strategic areas, supporting the collection of data, database management, survey implementation and data analysis for the evaluation of capacity building and assistance activities under the International Cooperation Programme;
2. Receive on-the-job training in the areas of international public organisation, diplomacy and international relations, capacity building and assistance for developing nations, project management and administration. Attend relevant meetings with States Parties as an observer.

PROJECT 2

Purpose of Internship:

Interns will be given an opportunity to learn on the following areas:

1. Supporting the effective coordination of the OPCW Africa Programme and International Cooperation Programme within ICA Division;
2. Supporting the initiatives of chemical safety and security management programme, including development of new tools and training materials;
3. Receive an effective on-the-job training in areas of international public organisation, diplomacy and international relations, capacity building for developing nations, project management and administration.

Main Responsibilities

PROJECT 1

Terms of Reference for the Internship:

The intern will be given an opportunity to learn performing the following tasks:

• Support the maintenance and development of the programme implementation database (contacts, participation in past activities, capacity-building alumni, etc.);
• Provide relevant inputs and analytical contributions to official and internal documents as required;
• Support the annual programme impact assessment exercises within the branch;
• Support programme officers in the team in managing post-programme evaluation of ICB programmes, including developing, disseminating and analysing participants surveys;
• Support the facilitation process under Article XI, including the organisation of meetings with States Parties, informal consultations, annual review workshop, and other ad hoc activities; take notes of deliberations related to Article XI at policy-making organs and organise, classify and archive the records;
• Assist the maintenance of various ICB programme alumni networks including relevant social media pages management; support the maintenance and development of contents related to the international cooperation programme on the OPCW public website and internal portal;
• Drafting relevant internal and external correspondence;
• Provide support on an ad-hoc basis on other activities as required by the supervisor in consultation with the Branch Head.

PROJECT 2

Terms of Reference for the Internship:

The intern will be given an opportunity to learn performing the following tasks:

• Maintenance of the Africa Programme database 9contacts, alumni of capacity-building, etc.);
• Support the organisation of meetings with States Parties (consultations, Steering Committee, etc.);
• Assist with the preparation of presentations to States Parties and with compiling data/input for statements;
• Drafting relevant internal and external correspondence;
• Assist with the maintenance of Africa Network;
• Support maintaining the pool of resource person for the Chemical Safety and Security Management Programme;
• Provide editorial support in development of chemical safety and security tools, including guidelines and other written materials;
• Assist the needs of chemical safety and security management in collection and analysing the survey results received;
• Support the Branch’s effort to expand its programme portfolio to include new topics on emerging technologies;
• Assist organisation of capacity building activities conducted by ICB as required by the supervisor in consultation with the Branch Head.

Please indicate in your application for which project you would like to be considered.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• Enrolled in and have completed at least one year of a degree programme in a university (or equivalent tertiary institution) or;
• In a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher) or;
• Have graduated from a university or a graduate school within a year prior to the commencement of the internship and;
• Be a citizen of an OPCW Member State.

Desirable for Project 1:

• A university degree in international relations, administration, management, economics, or a related field, with
• A good proficiency in MS office applications, particularly Power Point, Access and Excel.
• Proficiency in English required with good drafting skills.

Desirable for Project 2:

• University Degree in one of the following areas: international relations, development studies, public administration, project management, artificial intelligence (AI), or any other relevant fields;
• Fluency in English;
• Excellent writing and editing skills is desirable;
• Some knowledge on administrative work/volunteering is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

Desirable:

• Fluency in English;
• Excellent writing and editing skills;
• Some knowledge of administrative work/volunteering.

Languages

Additional Information

Acceptance for the programme shall not carry with it any expectation of employment with the OPCW. Interns may not apply for, or be appointed to, any posts or positions at the OPCW within six months of the internship agreement end date. The internship programme is run in accordance with the applicable internal rules and where applicable the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.

1. Participants in the Internship Programme receive no financial remuneration from the OPCW for expenses that they incur in relation to the programme. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, taxes, accommodation, living expenses and repatriation, etc. are the responsibility of the intern. The intern has to enter and exit the country in accordance with the applicable immigration procedures in The Netherlands.
2. Participants will be asked to provide proof that they have sufficient financial means for living expenses for the period of their internship.
3. Interns will work with the normal working pattern of the OPCW which will amount to no more than 40 hours a week.
4. Participants who are citizens of non-EU countries should agree not to undertake other work in the Netherlands during their internship other than as an intern at the OPCW, notwithstanding whether such other work is compatible with the discharge of their functions with the OPCW.
   
   

Only fully completed applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered.

Only applicants under serious consideration 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