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
  15/03/2026

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Budget and Finance Branch (BFB) apply best practice budgetary and financial support services to the OPCW. The Branch is responsible for developing and managing the OPCW Programme and Budget, supporting the management and reporting of extra-budgetary funding, preparation of the OPCW Financial Statements, collecting assessed State Party contributions and other income, and administering all payments for the organization. The Branch carries out its functions in accordance with the financial regulations and rules and decisions of the OPCW policy-making organs and serves as a key interlocutor with the Organization's External Auditor and the Advisory Body on Administrative and Financial Matters.

The Budget and Finance Branch consist of four Sections: Budget, Disbursements, Treasury, and Accounts and Reporting.

The Disbursements Section Intern will provide support in coordination of work with the International Cooperation and Assistance Division (ICA), reviewing Disbursements reports and providing support in registration of incoming invoices. The above will be helpful for the Intern’s career path to familiarize themselves with the OPCW outreach activities and to provide a broad overview of the invoice payment process. The Intern will also learn about how OPCW handles Seminar activities and how Travel is organized and paid for Delegates and participants of the ICA events.

1) Purpose of Internship:

• Support in coordination with ICA, reviewing Disbursements reports
• Support in registration of incoming invoice
• These tasks will be helpful for the Intern’s career path to familiarise themselves with the OPCW outreach activities and provide a broad overview of the invoice payment process.
• They can also learn about how OPCW handles Seminar activities and how Travel is organised and paid for delegates and participants of the ICA events.

Main Responsibilities

2) Terms of Reference for the Internship:

During the Internship, the selected candidate will be provided with an opportunity to learn and be involved in the following areas:

• Multiple events are orginised by ICA (Internal Co-operation and Assistance Branch) every year;

• Assist the Disbursements Team in reviewing financial reports submitted by the event organiser;

• Ensuring that all necessary invoices and proof of payments along with the receipts from the participants are submitted by them;

• Once reviewed, to prepare expense claims;

• Liaise with ICA program staff if incomplete reports are submitted;

• Assist in liaising with Travel Unit to ensure that travel authorisation and subsequent revisions are being processed in a timely manner;

• The incumbent can be exposed to familiarising with events related to International activities;

• Registering of invoices received by the OPCW in the ERP system;

• Preparing invoices for payments.

Proposed dates and duration of the internship: 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026

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 and fluent in both written and spoken English

Desirable:

• Masters/bachelor’s in economics/accounting/finance/business administration or related with good knowledge of Excel.

Skills and Competencies

A good knowledge of Excel.

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