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
    P5
  • Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
    10,922
  • Closing Date
    18/02/2026

Job Summary

The International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA) Division manages the OPCW's international cooperation and assistance activities. The Division serves as the platform to provide capacity-building support aimed to assist States Parties in: facilitating full and effective national implementation of the Convention (Article VII); enhancing assistance and protection against chemical weapons (Article X); and promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry for their economic and technological development (Article XI). ICA also runs the OPCW Africa Programme to ensure that special needs and circumstances of the region are addressed in a coordinated and effective manner.

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 OPCW States Parties. The programme is based on the provisions of Article XI of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

Under the supervision and guidance of the Director, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, the post holder has the following responsibilities:

Main Responsibilities

Contributing to the development and implementation of the OPCW’s strategic priorities in the areas of capacity building and international cooperation:

  • Providing input into the OPCW’s strategic planning and policy-making processes;
  • Contributing to and leading, cross-organisational working groups and project teams focusing on issues relevant to the work of ICB;
  • Leading the team to further leverage the OPCW ChemTech Centre facilities to advance international cooperation activities;
  • Continuing to explore new growth areas in international cooperation, including capacity-building in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, in line with the OPCW’s priorities and the needs of Member States.

Leading the work of the Branch:

  • Advising Senior Leadership on issues relevant to the work of ICB;
  • Managing and empowering the staff of ICB;
  • Allocating and monitoring the use of resources for each programme activity to ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency in accordance with a Results-Based Budgeting approach;
  • Reporting to the Director on all issues relevant to the work of ICB;
  • Supervising the preparation of status of implementation reports on a regular basis.

Conceptualisation and planning of international cooperation and capacity-building programmes in support of Article XI of the CWC:

  • Promoting awareness among Member States of the possibilities for international cooperation flowing from the obligations contained in Article XI of the CWC;
  • Ensuring that programmes are coherent with the OPCW’s broader capacity-building goals;
  • Development, in consultation with other relevant units of the TS, of programmes designed to build the capacities of Member States in the peaceful use of chemistry and promote international cooperation;
  • In consultation with other relevant units within the TS, contributing to the development of cooperative arrangements with external stakeholders.

Negotiating, developing, organising and implementing international cooperation and capacity-building projects funded through extra-budgetary (ExB) sources:

  • Developing projects proposals with a view to mobilising voluntary financial contributions from interested Member States and stakeholders and engage in relevant discussions;
  • Assessing the requirements of financial and other resources, and ensuring that projects implemented using ExB funding have no negative impact on regular programmes;
  • Ensuring timely reporting on ExB projects to the providers of voluntary contributions, as required.

Ensuring evaluation of all international cooperation programmes and preparation of necessary reports in that regard:

  • Ensuring evaluation mechanism is in place for each programme/project implemented by ICB;
  • Arranging for medium and long term evaluation of the impact of programmes/projects;
  • Institutionalising post-implementation evaluation of all programmes/projects;

Ensuring that information on programmes is available to all relevant stakeholders in a timely way.

Education

Essential: 

  • An advanced University degree in a relevant scientific discipline, or alternatively international relations, law, public administration, political science or other social science;
  • A First level University degree in combination with relevant qualifying experience (minimum 12 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
  • High School Diploma degree with equivalent or specialized training and experience (minimum 16 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced and first level university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential: 

  • A minimum of 10 years relevant experience in public administration, industry and/or defence/disarmament or related field with an advanced degree, 12 years relevant experience with first level degree, or 16 years relevant experience with high school diploma with equivalent or specialized training.

Desirable: 

  • Experience in international work on disarmament issues or international cooperation and technical assistance in the field of chemistry is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including ability to think strategically and achieve results;
  • Excellent and proven planning, organisational, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;
  • Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing and interpreting operational issues, formulating options, and proposing and implementing solutions;
  • Demonstrated experience developing capacity-building and other training programs, and in mobilising resources from donor states for such development programs;
  • Understanding the mandate of the OPCW and the work and mandates of other international organisations of relevance to the work of the Branch, including those involved in chemical safety and security;
  • Excellent inter-personal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;
  • Solid information technology skills including proficiency in Microsoft desktop packages;
  • Knowledge of Results-Based Budgeting (RBB) or similar budgeting processes;
  • Ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve Section goals;
  • Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities;
  • Proven ability in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

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’.
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