About Us

The External Relations Division advises the Director-General on external relations policies, promotes universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and liaises with governments, international organisations, the media, and non-governmental organisations. The division manages relations with OPCW’s Host Country–the Netherlands–and provides support regarding engagement with States Parties, partners, the public, and other identified stakeholders, such as scientists, civil society, academia, and industry.

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P3
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  8,181
• Closing Date
  24/03/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Political Affairs and Protocol Branch (PPB) advises senior management on current and emerging issues, devises and implements strategies for achieving universality of the Convention, and liaises with States Parties. The Branch supports the Director-General and Deputy Director-General by preparing speeches, statements, and briefing notes; and manages all issues related to protocol, OPCW’s Host Country, and privileges and immunities.

PPB works to equip the OPCW with resonant messages about its work and mission, as well as to devise and advocate policies attuned to the organisation’s strategic operating environment. PPB also carries out policy and outreach activities with multiple stakeholders to advance the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention and to further promote its universality. The Branch also provides a key service delivery function in the form of protocol services and administration of privileges and immunities. PPB aims to deliver the latter through optimal implementation of the Headquarters Agreement and related host country arrangements. In addition, PPB strives to enhance internal communication and awareness of our broader mission among OPCW staff, including through production of In Tune, the monthly bulletin.

Main Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Political Affairs and Protocol Branch, the incumbent of this post performs the following duties:

• Draft speeches/statements for the Director-General, and other senior OPCW officials and prepare other material as requested, to support them in their activities.

• Prepare talking points and other briefing materials for the Director-General and the Deputy Director-General’s bilateral/multilateral meetings and international travel/visits.

• Draft a range of correspondence and letters for the Director-General and the Deputy Director-General.

• Coordinate, organise and implement seminars, workshops, training programmes and briefings for representatives of States Parties, as well as for representatives of international organisations for the purpose of promoting awareness of the Convention including.

• Coordinate the Secretariat’s engagement with the United Nations and other international organisations, including the Secretariat’s inputs to relevant reports of the United Nations.

• Service aspects of the meetings of the Policy Making Organs (the Executive Council and the Conference of the States Parties), including the preparation of talking points for the Chairpersons of certain committees or bodies, and the organisation of the ceremonies of the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Chemical Weapons as well as the OPCW-The Hague Award.

• Support the implementation of the OPCW-The Hague Award process throughout the year.

• Represent PPB and/or ERD, as assigned, at international meetings, seminars and other events.

• Provide support to the Branch’s protocol team, as assigned.

• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

Advanced University degree in International Relations or Political Science or equivalent. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum seven years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Desirable:

Legal background would be an asset.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

At least five years of related experience in multilateral diplomacy or an international organisation, including drafting briefings and speeches/statements with an advanced degree, or seven years with first-level degree.

Desirable:

• Experience in delivering presentations and organising seminars/workshops is highly desirable.
• Experience in research-related work is desirable.
• Experience in political affairs or multilateral/bilateral diplomacy work in the arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation sector is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills and ability to draft and edit presentational documents, including speeches;
• Excellent diplomacy skills;
• Proven analytical skills with regard to analysing developments and trends and the ability to conceive and apply original ideas;
• Proven planning and organising skills with attention to detail;
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications; especially MS PowerPoint).

Abilities:

• Flexibility, tact and discretion;
• Ability to work harmoniously in diverse teams in an international environment as well as to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to work with varied programmes is desirable;
• Knowledge of the arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation issues, including the Chemical Weapons Convention is desirable.

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

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.

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.

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’.