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
  GS6
• Estimated monthly remuneration: Euro
  4 438
• Closing Date
  02/01/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

Join our Budget & Finance Branch team! We’re looking for a dedicated and diligent colleague with knowledge and experience in the area of accounts payable and payroll as well as strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
As the Finance Associate, you will provide timely and accurate financial and administrative support in relation to payroll, claims and other staff-related entitlements, in accordance with all financial regulations and rules.
In this position, you will have the opportunity to illustrate interpersonal skills within a multicultural environment, integrity, and demonstrate professional competence.

Main Responsibilities

You will perform the following duties as the Finance Associate:

· Checking (and preparation) of salary calculations and staff related entitlements for payroll, ensuring that all the required supporting documents have been received and are correct;

· Maintenance of payroll related files and databases, checking the relevant accounting , ensuring that all salary related expenditures are charged to the correct funding source and account;

· Maintenance of financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures to account balances for the financial reports.

· Checking calculations of insurance premiums and preparation of payment to the insurers;

· Checking calculations of monthly Provident Fund contributions and preparation of payments to the Provident Fund account;

· Processing payments (both advances and settlements) for all types of official travel including analysing travel-related issues and proposing their solutions;

· Reconciling payments against corporate credit cards, including checking all credit card expenses and reconciling the expenditure reports to the credit card statements;

· Processing Provident Fund payouts to separating staff members;

· Preparation of the final payments of entitlements and benefits to separating staff members;

· Preparation of reports pertaining to the Payroll Unit, as required for budget preparation, audit or other reasons;

· Initiating correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required;

· Maintaining liaison with other branches and staff members for information relevant to the work of the Unit;

· Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Payroll Unit;

· Performing other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential: High school diploma or equivalent diploma of higher secondary education in accounting.

Desirable: Additional vocational training and/or courses in payroll management, finance or accounting would be an advantage.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

At least 6 years of progressively responsible and related experience in the area of accounts payable, of which four should be in the area of payroll. This experience must be evident and easily demonstrated;

Desirable:

Previous work experience in an international organisation will be an advantage;
Working experience and knowledge of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) would be an asset.
Knowledge of UN procedure in the area of payroll and/or staff entitlements and benefits will be an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

To succeed in this role, you should have the following skills:

· Demonstrated ability to plan and organise large volumes of work in a logical, efficient and timely manner;

· Demonstrated ability to analyse issues and propose solutions;

· Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, with ability to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;

· Ability to lead a small team (demonstrated experience would be an advantage);

· Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;

· A very high level of computer literacy, including knowledge and experience of sophisticated payroll preparation systems;

· Discretion, tact, accuracy and an eye for details.

· Good working knowledge in Word and Excel.

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 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 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.

Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW Provident Fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW under the provisions for social security. As the OPCW is exploring membership of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), staff participation in the Provident Fund may be replaced by participation in the UNJSPF effective 1 January 2025.

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’.