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 Professional
• Grade
  P4
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  10,653
• Closing Date
  04/06/2026

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Secretariat for the Policy-Making Organs (PMO) facilitates meetings and wider consultations between States Parties—as well as meetings and consultations between States Parties and the Secretariat—by providing substantive and operational support to their decision-making process, coordinating the preparation of official-series and other formal documents. The Language Services Branch provides the policy-making organs of the Organisation and the Technical Secretariat with editorial, translation, and interpretation support.

The Senior Linguist (Chinese) works under the direct supervision of the Head, Language Services Branch (Head, LSB), and serves as the final authority for the Chinese language in the OPCW. The Senior Linguist (Chinese) plans, organises, supervises and monitors interpretation, translation and revision work as well as the terminology research for Chinese.

Main Responsibilities

1) Lead the Work Portfolio for Assigned Language:

• As the final authority for the Chinese language in the OPCW, plan, organise, supervise and monitor interpretation, translation and revision work and terminology research within the language section including contractual translations. Allocate work to the section staff, assign staff to specific duties and control the quality and quantity of output;
• Evaluate the performance of staff within the section and ensure the best use of their knowledge and experience. Recommend action on personnel, budgetary, procedural and other matters relevant to the efficient functioning of the section. Liaise with relevant OPCW units on the provision of linguistic services.

2) Provide Interpretation, Translation and Revision Services:

• Revise and/or translate texts of highly sensitive political, confidential or technically complex nature, provide simultaneous and/or consecutive interpretation services;
• Advise on language matters to Secretariat staff and relevant delegations and make authoritative language determinations in Chinese;
• Formulate and develop guidelines governing the work of the Chinese language section;
• Strictly comply with the OPCW confidentiality regime and other relevant policy documents.

3) Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• An advanced degree in Languages, Translation and Interpretation;
• A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• A minimum seven years of continuous translation and interpretation experience, preferably in international organisation and/or the United Nations Common System.

Desirable:

• Knowledge or experience working with the CWC and member states is desirable. Work experience in the UN Common System is also desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge and ability to translate and interpret highly specialized technical subjects;
• Effective management skills, with good planning and team building capacities;
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment;
• Understanding of international affairs. Thorough knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention and related disarmament and technical issues is desirable;
• Computer literacy, including knowledge and ability to work with Windows-compatible word processing equipment, Share Point and computer-assisted translation tools;
• Tact and discretion, particularly the ability to work within a confidentiality regime and a diplomatic environment.

Languages

A perfect command of Chinese, which must be a first language. An excellent knowledge of English and one other language of the Organisation (Arabic, French, Russian, Spanish as applicable) is also required. Knowledge of additional languages is desirable.

Additional Information

Please note that all vacancies will close at 22:00 The Netherlands local time on their respective closing day. Thereafter, the vacancy announcements will no longer appear in the Candidate Portal and you will no longer be able to submit your application. We recommend that you apply well in advance of the deadline.

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’.