Programme Officer (P-3) - #46362

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 P3
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD 8,835
• Closing Date 04/06/2026
  
  

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The International Cooperation and Assistance Division plays a crucial role in enhancing States Parties’ capacity to fully and effectively implement the Convention. States Parties are supported through a broad range of inter-linked activities in fulfilling their national obligations, inter alia, the enactment and implementation of national legislations, protection and response capabilities against the use, or the threat of use, of chemical weapons, and the promotion of the peaceful uses of chemistry for economic and technological development.

The International Cooperation Branch provides States Parties with technical assistance and capacity-building programmes to promote and facilitate exchanges of knowledge and information in the peaceful use of chemistry that supports the economic and technological development of States Parties.

The Programme Officer works under the direct supervision of Head, International Cooperation Branch (ICB), and contributes to the Branch’s work by planning, executing, monitoring and evaluating, and reporting on assigned capacity-building programmes, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities

• Programme Management and Capacity Building:
• Plan, coordinate, manage and report on assigned programmes for capacity-building in cooperation with National Authorities, academic institutions, scientific organisations, analytical laboratories, research institutions, chemical industry, and international organisations, as assigned;
• Support the development, preparation, execution, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of tailored capacity-building packages for enhancing capabilities of laboratories in Member States aligned with priorities identified by Member States, including through the platform of OPCW Laboratory Assistance and Twinning Programme;
• Interact with various internal and external units and institutions to arrange and coordinate the implementation of programmes and projects;
• Ensure budgetary control for the assigned projects and programmes, and implementation of projects and programmes in a cost-effective manner;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the programmes and projects, make relevant recommendations, and participate in relevant meetings;
• Develop procedures for implementation and follow-up including standard operating procedures, as required.
• Programme Coordination and Improvement:
• Contribute to the expansion of the ICB portfolio in the area of capacity building in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and coordinate across the Division in integrating and concerting the efforts to generate tangible results;
• Provide support and make recommendations to the Head, ICB on the enhancement of activities by utilising the facilities at the OPCW Centre of Chemistry and Technology (CCT);
• Act as the ICB focal point to coordinate the activities carried out at the CCT with a particular focus on improving efficiency, effectiveness and synergies of the activities organised at the CCT;
• Support in coordination on regional capacity building programmes and other flagship capacity building activities.
• Reporting:
• Draft reports on training activities; including monitoring and evaluation, and impact assessment findings, as well as financial and technical proposal papers for senior management and other Divisions and units in the Technical Secretariat, OPCW Policy Making Organs and Member States, regarding the implementation of the regular ICB programmes as well as regarding voluntary financial contributions towards international cooperation activities;
• Prepare and contribute to regular reports and inputs for the sessions of the Executive Council and the Conference of States Parties;
• Prepare and contribute to briefing documents, speaking points, and presentations for senior officials.
• Perform other duties as required and assigned.
  
  

Qualifications And Experience

Education

Essential:

• Advanced University degree in public administration, international relations, law, or other relevant fields of social sciences, chemistry or other relevant scientific discipline;
• A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
  
  

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in supporting results-based technical assistance, capacity building, international cooperation, or STEM educational programmes/projects in an international context;
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in programme/project planning and implementation, including the conduct of needs assessments, monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment, reporting, and budgetary planning/control in an international context.
  
  

Desirable:

• Knowledge or experience working with the CWC and States Parties is desirable;
• Work experience in the UN Common System;
• Experience in stakeholder management and in developing strategies, analysing issues and implementing them, in an international context;
• Experience in designing and applying results-based, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including impact assessment evaluation methodologies;
• Professional certification or formal training in monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, or impact-assessment;
• Experience in developing e-learning tools to support capacity building;
• Experience in working on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and their implication on disarmament and peaceful uses of chemistry;
• Experience in negotiations - either multilateral or bilateral, or both, regarding developing strategies, analysing issues and implementing programmes for capacity building and training.
  
  

Skills and Competencies

• Solid grasp of substantive issues relevant to chemical disarmament and capacity-building needs of States Parties and other stakeholders (e.g., chemical industries);
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing operational issues in a complex environment, formulate options, and propose and implement solutions;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations;
• Demonstrated ability to be proactive in developing strategies to accomplish Organisation’s objectives and good problem solving skills;
• Proven ability to research and learn new subjects in designing of projects;
• Excellent interpersonal skills - ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with stakeholders;
• Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment;
• Flexibility (working simultaneously on two or more topics and supporting colleagues in a matrix-style team) and ability to work under pressure;
• Computer literacy (MS Office packages).
  
  

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’.