About Us

The OPCW internship programme is aimed at motivated students with an interest in gaining experience in international organisations. The programme normally provides work placements in the Technical Secretariat for a three to six month period. The objective of the internship is to provide you with first-hand experience in the day-to-day working environment of an international organisation. You will work with our international experts towards the OPCW mission to achieve a world permanently free of chemical weapons.

As part of our team, working directly with outstanding and inspiring career professionals, you will be exposed to high-profile conferences, participate in meetings, and contribute to our analytical work as well as the organisational policy of the OPCW.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Intern
• Remuneration
  540 EUR
• Closing Date
  28/10/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Office of Strategy and Policy develops the Technical Secretariat’s strategic planning and provides policy advice to the Director-General and the Secretariat’s management, particularly relating to cross-cutting issues such as incidents of chemical weapons use, non-routine missions, chemical security, engagement with international organisations and chemical industry, education and outreach, counter-terrorism, and science and technology. In addition, the Office contributes to programme and budget planning and the organisational governance of the Secretariat in areas such as knowledge management, results-based management, and risk management.

The internship within the Office of Strategy and Policy will provide a number of learning objectives for the intern, which will be agreed with them individually and tailored according to their academic backgrounds and skillsets. These learning objectives will be based around three main development areas: skill development (such as communication, problem-solving, research, analysis, and graphics design); career development (through understanding the work of the OPCW and international organisations generally); and personal development (strengthening skills such as self-confidence, time management, network building, and teamwork).

The intern will be exposed to both the scientific and policy work undertaken in OSP, in addition to work across the Organisation, and will be encouraged to assist with preparations for and participate in diverse meetings and events, as the opportunity arises.

This internship will start in early 2025.

Main Responsibilities

The scientific work carried out in OSP is highly varied and interns can expect to be involved in a range of tasks. Support to OSP will be provided by, but not limited to:

1. developing ideas and activities for, and participating in, Science for Diplomats events to help communicate relevant complex scientific and technical topics to policymakers and diplomats;
2. monitoring developments in science and technology of relevance to the work of the OPCW, and researching specific topics in detail;
3. supporting the work associated with the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board and its Temporary Working Groups;
4. assisting in the preparation of diverse documents including reports, briefing notes, and presentations; and
5. designing graphics and layouts for internal documentation and outreach materials.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• enrolled in and have completed at least one year of a degree programme in a university (or equivalent tertiary institution) or; in a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher) or;
• have graduated from a university or a graduate school within a year prior to the commencement of the internship and;
• be a citizen of an OPCW Member State.

To be eligible for this internship, candidates must have an undergraduate or post-graduate degree in a scientific discipline.

Any applications from candidates with non-scientific backgrounds will not be considered.

A background in the chemical sciences is desirable, but not essential.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of, or a strong interest in, emerging technologies and their application within a chemical context is also desirable.

• Language requirements – Be fluent in both written and spoken English.

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

Acceptance for the programme shall not carry with it any expectation of employment with the OPCW. Interns may not apply for, or be appointed to, any posts or positions at the OPCW within six months of the internship agreement end date. The internship programme is run in accordance with the applicable internal rules and where applicable the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.

1. Participants in the Internship Programme receive no financial remuneration from the OPCW for expenses that they incur in relation to the programme. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, taxes, accommodation, living expenses and repatriation, etc. are the responsibility of the intern. The intern has to enter and exit the country in accordance with the applicable immigration procedures in The Netherlands.
2. Participants will be asked to provide proof that they have sufficient financial means for living expenses for the period of their internship.
3. Interns will work with the normal working pattern of the OPCW which will amount to no more than 40 hours a week.
4. Participants who are citizens of non-EU countries should agree not to undertake other work in the Netherlands during their internship other than as an intern at the OPCW, notwithstanding whether such other work is compatible with the discharge of their functions with the OPCW.

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