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
  GS5
• Estimated monthly remuneration: Euro
  3.962
• Closing Date
  29/12/2023

Responsibilities

Job Summary

Are you experienced in proofreading translated documents in Spanish and do you have a good command of English? Do you like complex formatting, charts and images processing?

Do you have good organisational and coordination skills? Are you motivated to facilitate the communication between OPCW and Member States by providing effective and efficient linguistic support?

If yes, we would like to meet you!

Main Responsibilities

As a Senior Language Assistant (Spanish), you will be responsible for the following:

• Formats and proofreads translation in the section’s language, ensuring that spelling, punctuation and format are correct. Checks for correctness in terminology, reference, date, etc. and for grammatical accuracy. Prepares documents for translation. Subjects of documentation include, inter alia, all official-series documents, as well as confidential information (e.g. final inspection report, mandate, declaration of States Parties), scientific and technical text (e.g. chemistry, disarmament, finance, law) and politically sensitive content (notification, notes verbales). The incumbent is required to work under a strict confidentiality regime and comply with rules, procedures and practices currently in operation.

• Operates word-processing equipment, database and spreadsheet applications; determines practical solutions to computer problems; customises the software applications by creating new styles and templates to adapt them to the requirements of the language section; decides on the most appropriate presentation and format of the documents in that language, taking into consideration the unique features of the language.

• Creates and updates the external and internal official-series document database in the section’s language used by OPCW staff members and Member States; prepares lists of all official documents in that language.

• Aligns previously translated text in section’s language with the corresponding English document in preparation for the use of computer aids to translation (together with following responsibilities).

• Pre-processes (electronically) text in section’s language to expedite the translation process.

• Converts from different software and reformats documents translated outside the OPCW; converts, retypes and proof-reads archived documents or missing documents of the Preparatory Commission of OPCW and of other organisations.

• Participates in the selection of short-term staff recruited to provide, on a substitute or supplementary basis, the same services as the incumbent within the language section: provides training and administrative assistance to the short-term staff and reviews their work.

• Organises and co-ordinates work-flow, determines work priorities, distributes work-load to the short-term staff during the sessions of the Executive Council and Conference of the States Parties and other peak work periods, as applicable.

• Within the specific language section, assists the short-term language staff in using OPCW terminology and seeking reference document; prepares background and reference file for short-term and contractual language staff; in the absence of linguists, advises short-term and contractual language staff on internal practices and procedures.

• Assists the linguists with research, compilation and editing of a list of abbreviations and in-house glossaries of specific terminology.

• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

This position requires a minimum high school diploma or equivalent diploma of higher secondary education, preferably with emphasis on languages.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

Make sure you have at least four years of progressively responsible and related experience, preferably in an international organisation.

Experience in conference services, language services, or related areas in an international organisation is an asset.

Skills and Competencies

To succeed in this role you will need the following skills and competencies:

• Advanced skills in using modern personal computer equipment are essential, including in-depth knowledge of Windows-based word processing, database and spreadsheet applications; MS Teams; SharePoint.
• Knowledge of standard proofreading practices and procedures, as well as familiarity with grammatical standards
• Attention to detail: ability to identify and correct errors in grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, formatting and consistency, in order to produce error-free final documents.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to plan, organise and manage conflicting priorities.
• Tact, accuracy and discretion.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure: working within set, tight deadlines efficiently and independently.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural environment.

Language Requirements: A thorough knowledge of the section’s language, which must be a first language. Must have a good working knowledge of 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

Staff members in the General Services category are normally recruited and paid on a local basis.

This 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.

Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW provident fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW to ensure separating staff have the capital necessary to move on to new challenges.

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.

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’.