Associate Acquisition and Process Support Officer (P-2)

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.

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P2
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  6,576
• Closing Date
  19/12/2025

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.

The Operations and Technology Support Branch (OTSB) provides key support to all INS operations and technology-related activities, drawing upon operational synergies with the OPCW ChemTech Centre.  

OTSB is responsible for coordinating all INS missions, providing operational, informational, administrative, technical and logistical support and ensuring timely and efficient procurement and maintenance of inspection equipment.

OTSB also maintains close communication with inspection teams and States Parties before, during, and after the inspections. OTSB’s Situation Centre provides 24/7 support and maintains comprehensive operational control of missions to ensure secure and reliable communications through its Operations Centre.

Associate Acquisition and Process Support Officer will provide procurement and acquisition support. This role involves budget planning and operational tracking, process optimization and internal efficiency, coordinate the drafting, review, and updating of INS quality documents.
The position offers an opportunity to demonstrate strong customer service orientation skills within a multicultural environment, uphold integrity, and exhibit a high level of professional competence.

Main Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Technology Hub and Logistics, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Procurement and Acquisition Support

• Supports and monitors procurement activities across OTSB in close collaboration with the Technical Support Officer, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and timely delivery of goods and services;  
• In coordination with the Technical Support Officer and relevant stakeholders works to ensure that technical specifications are complete and acquisition packages meet quality standards;
• Supports the development of internal guidelines and capacity-building efforts to institutionalize decentralized procurement planning with consistent quality and compliance;
• Monitor procurement progress, delivery timelines, and risk indicators to support operational readiness.

Budget Planning and Operational Tracking

• Supports OTSB’s operational budget preparation, aligning acquisition plans with budgetary forecasts;  
• Maintains tracking mechanisms to monitor procurement flows and project-related expenditures;
• Prepares consolidated budget justifications and variance analysis in coordination with Head, Technology Hub & Logistics and other relevant stakeholders.

Process Optimization and Internal Efficiency

• Institutionalizes process mapping, process analysis, and workflow optimization within TH&L and OTSB;
• Contributes to the development of proposals for process optimization and tracks their implementation across relevant workstreams;
• Maintains a centralized repository of procedural documentation, improvement initiatives, and lessons learned. 

Quality Documentation (QDOCs) Management

• Coordinate the drafting, review, and updating of INS quality documents;
• Supports onboarding and knowledge continuity efforts by developing documentation standards and cross-team training materials;  
• Maintains centralized systems for QDOC tracking and reporting, supporting harmonization across stakeholders;  
• Provide general support to TH&L project and team-level coordination initiatives as needed;
• Perform other duties as required.

Education

Essential:

• An advanced university degree in public administration, logistics, engineering, business management, or a related field is required;
• A first-level university degree in a related field in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 4 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.  

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in logistics coordination, budget management or process improvement, ideally in an international or technical organisation;
• Demonstrated experience in procurement and budget activities in complex organisations;
• Demonstrated experience in process mapping, use of quality management systems and workflow tools;
• Proven ability to analyse, organise, and present technical and financial data;
• Strong coordination and communication skills across functional teams;
• Experience with ERP systems and office productivity software (e.g., Excel, SharePoint, Visio).

Desirable: 

• Working experience with the UN or other international organisation is desirable;
• Experience with CW detection and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) technology and CBRN protection equipment would be an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

Essential:

• Customer service orientation;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
• Good problem-solving skills.

Other Skills:

• Good interpersonal skills;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Tact, discretion, accuracy and ability to work harmoniously in a multinational and multicultural environment;
• Attention to detail and strong organisational skills.

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.

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’.