Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer (P-4)

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
  10,372
• Closing Date
  01/12/2026

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Chemical Demilitarisation Branch/Verification Division provides the OPCW with a means to assess and facilitate compliance of the State Parties in relation to their obligations related to chemical weapons as stated in the Convention by implementing the verification regime for Chemical Weapons (CW) and CW related facilities under Articles IV,V and Parts IV (A), IV (B) and V of the Verification Annex, as well as supporting the verification regime for challenge inspections and investigation of alleged use of CW under Articles IX and X.

The Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer works under the guidance of the Head, Chemical Demilitarisation and leads the planning, managing and delivery (in partnership with relevant Divisions and Offices within the Technical Secretariat) of all verification activities related to Old / Abandoned Chemical Weapons.

Responsibilities:

Planning and managing inspection related matters: 

• Evaluate declared Old and Abandoned Chemical Weapons sites (OACW sites) with respect to the object and purpose of the Chemical Weapons Convention (the Convention) for initial on-site inspections/visits, and determine the frequency of further on-site inspections, inspection timing, number of inspectors, specialities, duration etc;
• Draft inspection mandates for inspections, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and Facility Agreements, if applicable, and the site-specific information provided by the State Parties or collected during previous on-site inspections;
• Monitor and support the conduct of inspections by reviewing the daily Situation Reports or via official communications with the team; review Preliminary Findings Reports and provide advice to inspection team leaders for the completion of the Final Inspection Reports;
• Debrief the Inspection Teams (ITs) based on the review of the Preliminary Findings Report produced during inspections, signed by the inspection team leaders and countersigned by the representative of the Inspected State Party, the Inspection Mandate and the inspection conduct observed during the course of inspection; and, at the same time, provide advice to the inspection teams for preparing and finalising the Final Inspection Reports;
• Draft correspondence both to the inspected State Parties (ISP) to present the Final Inspection Report within the timeline specified in the Convention, and to the Director-General (DG) to report the conduct of the inspection according to the Mandate, elaborating on the pending issues or uncertainties and providing suggestions to resolve those pending issues or uncertainties.

 Follow up verification related issues: 

• Study unresolved issues which have arisen from inspections at OACW sites and, if requested, from CW sites, and seek possible solutions, which include, but not exhaustive to, drafting correspondence to the ISP and/or discussion with ISP representatives;
• Provide Technical Secretariat’s comments or position in DG’s closure letter addressing those issues raised either by the inspection team or by the ISP;
• Develop technical assessments, guidelines or Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) in relation to issues related to the inspections at OACW sites and, if requested, CW sites;
• Provide status reports on inspections for Technical Secretariat’s internal and external reporting purposes.

Knowledge Management: 

• Contribute to the design, modification and content of the structure of the Chemical Demilitarisation knowledge databases;
• Support and contribute to the development of knowledge management initiatives within CDB through knowledge creation, sharing and retention practices.

Other: 

• If necessary, provide the necessary technical support and assist the members of the Scientific Advisory Board and cluster groups in the resolution of unresolved issues by rendering the necessary advice in areas of science and technology relevant to the Convention;
• Participate, as an HQ inspector during inspections or bilateral technical visits;
• Provide technical support to Executive Council discussions in relation to CW and OACW related issues;
• Represent OPCW at conferences, seminars or workshops.

Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in science (preferably in chemistry or chemical engineering);
• A first level university degree, combined with 9 years of  relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential: 

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of chemical demilitarisation and/or chemical weapons technology;
• Expert knowledge on chemical munitions, CBRNe devices or WMD;
• Extensive knowledge in the area of CW destruction and CW munitions design is essential.

Desirable: 

• Experience working at an international level would be an asset;
• Proven ammunition (ATO) or explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) or equivalent certified experience would be an asset;
• Experience on destruction operations of CW or OACW would be an added value;
• Experience in the field of countering chemical terrorism would be an added value;
• Knowledge on chemical defence is desirable;
• Knowledge on chemistry is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Analytical and conceptual skills;
• Conscientiousness and accuracy;
• Problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems, and quickly make sound decisions;
• Ability to plan and organise, and to work under pressure and subject to urgent deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, and the ability to provide clear guidance to others;
• Tact, discretion and the ability to work harmoniously, as part of the CDB team, in a multi-cultural environment;
• Computer skills in MS Word, spreadsheet and database processing are essential;
• Proven ability to work with others toward a shared goal; build spirit and positive relationships; encourage active participation; and share responsibility and rewards among members of a group.

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

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’.