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 verifiably 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
  Short term Appointment (STA)
• Grade
  P1
• Estimated monthly salary including post adjustment
  USD 4,867
• Closing Date
  19/12/2023

Responsibilities

Job Summary

This position is part of HR Governance and reporting to the HR Policy Officer. Working in close collaboration with the HRB team and Office of the Legal Advisor, the Assistant HR Policy Officer will provide expert support and advice in the management of employee relations cases and the development and interpretation of the OPCW HR policy framework.

This is a temporary appointment and will be made for a period of one year minus one day.

Main Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the HR Policy Officer, the responsibilities of the incumbent are:

Policy development and implementation:

• Reviews HR policies and formulate new/revised HR policies in close collaboration with the HRB teams and the Office of the Legal Advisor. Continually assess the adequacy of existing HR policies to meet the emerging workforce and programme needs as well as UN common system initiatives.
• Identifies the need for new and revised Staff Regulations and Rules, Administrative Directives, Information Circulars tailored to the OPCW workforce;
• Ensures research, and evaluation is conducted on the regulations, rules, policies and procedures available in comparable organisations, and develops procedures and guidelines in consultation with relevant stakeholders, ensuring consistency with the Organisation’s priorities, legislative framework, management objectives, in order to support programme delivery and promote efficiency and effectiveness in HR practices;
• Promotes consistent application of HR policies throughout the Organisation and act as a policy adviser within HRB and provide interpretation and guidance on HR policies, staff regulations and rules, as well as exceptions and precedents to managers and staff. Develops systematic feedback mechanisms/approaches to assess policy impact and effectiveness.

Staff appeal, disciplinary cases, and staff relations:

• Analysis, research, and advice on HR aspects of assigned grievances, appeals, disciplinary matters, and other contentious cases taking into account the Human Resources policy framework, relevant principles of law and ILO Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) jurisprudence;
• Advises staff and management on their roles and responsibilities in respect to conduct and discipline, and the management and documentation requirements for complex individual cases, and on the potential for appeals;
• Assists Head/HRB in formulating the Organisation’s position on determining the appropriate interpretation and application of regulations and rules to the most problematic and contentious cases as well as on cases of staff complaints, grievances and appeals;
• Manages the formal internal appeal and disciplinary processes, ensuring compliance by the Organisation with the due process and procedural requirements of cases before the Appeals Council and Joint Disciplinary Committee, and assist Head/HRB in preparing the Organisation’s case submissions and responses based on research of international civil service employment law, for consultation and clearance by the Director-General through the legal office.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Required:

An advanced university degree in human resources management, law, public or business administration, social sciences, or other relevant field; a first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 2 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Required:

Relevant experience in human resources management, human resources policy or other relevant experience (at least 2 years with first level university degree). Work experience in a multilateral/international organisation, preferably a UN common system organisation is considered an asset.

Desirable:

Experience in handling staff appeal and disciplinary cases, preferably in an international and/or multilateral context, is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

Professional fluency in English, both written and spoken; working knowledge of another OPCW official language is an asset;

Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

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

Appointment to this category of position at the OPCW will be in accordance with the relevant terms and conditions applicable to the post. This appointment will be for limited time only as stated.

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.

Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.

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’.