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
  Fixed-term General Service
• Remuneration
• Closing Date
  10/05/2023

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Political Affairs and Protocol Branch provides senior management with advice on current and emerging issues, devises and implements strategies for achieving universality of the Convention, and liaises with States Parties to understand their views and priorities.

The Branch also supports the official engagements of the Director General and Deputy Director-General, through the preparation of speeches, statements, and briefing notes based on key messaging and thorough political analysis.

The Branch plans, organises, and supports official visits by Heads of State, as well as government and other high-level officials from States Parties.

The Branch is responsible for the accreditation of Permanent Representatives and delegates and acts as a focal point between the Secretariat and States Parties on matters pertaining to their membership.

Main Responsibilities

As the Privileges and Immunities Assistant, you will assist in supporting and guiding staff members on privileges and immunities-related issues, to ensure the effective implementation of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA), especially through liaison with relevant Host Country authorities, and to administer all issues related to staff members’ privileges and immunities in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Host Country, the HQA and related directives, policies and procedures.

To view the complete job outline, please click here.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• High School Diploma or equivalent diploma of higher secondary education.

Desirable:

• Additional training or education in diplomacy, protocol, public or international administration.

Skills and Competencies

• Intercultural communication and negotiation, service delivery, organising and planning;
• Strong interpersonal skills (communication and negotiation);
• Tact, discretion and accuracy;
• Detail oriented, service delivery and client focus;
• Strong organising, planning and prioritizing skills;
• Computer literacy (MS Office applications);
• Ability to work harmoniously with people from various backgrounds in an international environment.

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