Principal Chemical Demilitarisation Assistant (GS-7)

About Us

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force on 29 April 1997. The OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavor to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.

The ultimate aim of the OPCW is 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. Under the OPCW's oversight 96% of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor States have been verifably destroyed.

The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

Our mission for a world free of chemical weapons makes people's lives better. Apply to be a part of our team to make the world a better place for all. 

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term General Service
• Grade
  GS7
• 
  Net Salary
  53,155
• Closing Date
  02/10/2020

Responsibilities

Job Summary

We are currently looking for a Principal Chemical Demilitarisation Assistant to develop the chemical demilitarisation knowledge management within the branch and to support the implementation of the verification regime at chemical weapons destruction facilities.

To view the complete outline, please click here.

Main Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Reconstruct and organise the existing repositories on all relevant information within the context of the chemical demilitarisation to record the history of the CW destruction programmes;


• Gather and assess scientific and technical information related to the CW destruction processes (destruction technologies and operational parameters, design/configuration of chemical weapons to be destroyed, monitoring devices installed to provide assurance that no chemical weapons are diverted and the destruction process has been completed);


• Maintain and guide in the development of comprehensive CW related information databases, such as databases on the progress CW destruction, and Verification Implementation System (VIS);


• Monitor and review any chemical demilitarisation documents submitted by States Parties;


• Monitor the progress of on-site inspections and review daily situation report coming from Destruction Facility sites;


• Support the technical and verification related aspects of planning and preparation of inspections at CWDFs;


• Guide the inspection teams with regard to the implementation of inspection mandates; advise the teams on inspection aims, detailed site information, policy requirements, particular operational instructions and specific verification regime and techniques to be used;


• Review inspection reports, and give guidance to inspection teams on the preparation of final inspection reports;


• Provide input to internal and external reports of the Secretariat and assist in the resolution of outstanding issues by providing technical support to cluster groups and States Parties;


• Provide technical and lecturing support for training activities;


• Conduct analysis on open sources regarding potential new possessor State Party;


• Collection, in liaison with the Situation Centre, information about alleged uses of chemical weapons;


• Develop implementation plans regarding contingency operations in response to chemical incidents, specifically including where chemicals may have been used by non-state actors.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

You should have a high school diploma or equivalent diploma of higher secondary education.

Desirable: Bachelor degree in chemistry

Knowledge and Experience

Make sure you have at least 9 years of progressive responsible relevant experience, including 4 years in the field of chemical demilitarisation and/or chemical weapons technology.

Skills and Competencies

To succeed in this role you will need the following skills and competencies:

• Excellent drafting skills and ability to prepare analytical reports;


• Advanced computer skills including ability to operate databases;


• Excellent ability to administrate and handle complex and voluminous sets of records and facts;


• Excellent presentation skills and ability to logically defend chosen positions;


• Analytical and conceptual skills;


• Problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;


• Ability to plan and organise, and to work under pressure and subject to urgent deadlines;


• Ability to maintain both internal and external relationships in matters relevant to information collection;


• Tact, discretion and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment.

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.

Additional Information

Staff members in the General Services category are normally recruited and paid on a local basis.

This 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 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 applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.

Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.

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’.