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
  P4
• Estimated monthly salary including post adjustment
  USD 9,788
• Closing Date
  02/11/2023

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Human Resources Branch is responsible for the planning and delivery of human resources management programmes at the OPCW, such as development and implementation of Staff Regulations, Rules and policies related to compensation schemes, entitlements and benefits, organisation development and design, talent acquisition, talent development, staff engagement, staff relations, welfare and wellbeing. The approach to its work is underpinned by Diversity, equity and inclusion and effective use of HR analytics.

This is a temporary appointment, and will be made for an initial period of 6 months, with a possibility of renewal for an additional 6 months.

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head, Human Resources, the selected candidate will lead the HR Policy team in the design and delivery of a strategic review of the OPCW Staff Regulations, Rules and HR polices. The review will ensure that the HR policy framework is modernised, tailored to the OPCW’s current and future needs, enables delivery of a fit-for-purpose OPCW workforce, fosters engagement, promotes positive employee relations, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion and drives business process excellence, including through digitalisation and appropriate delegation.

Additionally, the candidate will support the Head, Human Resources in the development of the OPCW People Strategy 2024 – 2026.

Specifically, the candidate:

• Conducts a comprehensive review of existing human resources-related policies (Staff Regulations & Staff Rules, Administrative Directives, Administrative Circulars and Guidelines), with a view to streamline, simplify, consolidate, revise, amend or abolish, as applicable, outdated or obsolete issuances to ensure the current human resources policy framework remains comprehensive, up-to-date and responsive to the operational needs and goals of the OPCW;
• Ensures alignment of the OPCW HR policy framework with applicable HR and legal frameworks and prevailing practices of UN Common System organisations through close consultation with the OPCW Office of Legal Affairs;
• Promotes knowledge management through maintenance of the HR policy repository, workflow processes and other relevant tools, in collaboration with HRB colleagues;
• Promotes the HR policy framework as an effective tool to support the OPCW workforce through ongoing consultation and communication with the Joint Advisory Board (JAB), Staff Council and other stakeholders;
• Provides authoritative HR policy interpretation of the OPCW Staff Regulations and Rules, Administrative Directives and other HR Policies and procedural questions related to the management of staff and the administration of benefits and allowances;
• Supports the H/HRB in the development of OPCW People Strategy 2024 – 2026, including in relation to organisation development and design;
• Plans and manages the work of the HR Policy team – 1 x P3 HR Policy Officer, 1 x P2 HR Policy Officer.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Second-level university degree in human resources, MBA, public or business administration, law, social sciences or other related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree.

A certified qualification from a recognized HR professional body would be an asset.

Knowledge and Experience

A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in modern HR management with a good understanding of the human resources management principles, including experience in entitlements, staff/management relations, established negotiation skills, public administration experience, preferably in an international organization;

High degree of digital literacy, understanding of how to capitalise on technological tolls in the development of policies and processes.

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’.