About Us
The OPCWโs mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention 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.
The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
General Information
- Contract Type
Fixed-term Professional - Grade
P3 - Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
8,727 - Closing Date
22/02/2026Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Inspectorate Division (INS) implements all the Technical Secretariatโs on-site verification activities, ensuring the efficient and effective deployment of inspection teams to both military and commercial facilities around the world, as required by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). INS maintains preparedness to respond to and investigate allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons and readiness to conduct Challenge Inspections (CI) and Investigations of Alleged Use (IAU) upon request from Member States in the event of a chemical incident.
The expected start date: 17 August 2026.
General Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate the core values of the OPCW in the execution of your duties;
Specific Responsibilities:
Analytical Chemist (AC)
Assume the role of Sub-team Leader during Article VI inspections when Sampling & Analysis (S&A) activities are planned;Prepare a sampling plan and conduct S&A activities when applicable;Review analysis results and report/advise accordingly;Perform area reconnaissance and use all equipment associated with such activity;Support the assistance and protection against Chemical Weapons (CW);Support and participate in CI, IAU, as well as in other OPCW NonโRoutine Missions (NRMs);Provide support in missions where evidence of possible CW-related incidents needs to be gathered, with a focus on forensic sound exploitability;Support internal capacity building efforts of the organisation to improve knowledge and skills of deployed personnel in evidence gathering, crime scene investigations as well as report writing and other investigative techniques and procedures.Chemical Production Technologist (CPT)
Perform chemical engineering evaluations and mass balance calculations; review of documents; help developing sampling plans;Participate in the evaluation of the technological basis of the declared CW, including both the chemical warfare agent (CWA) and the munition parts;Monitor and verify the destruction of the CWs in Chemical Weapons Destruction Facilities (CWDFs);On voluntary basis, participate in NRMs.Chemical Weapons/Munitions Specialist (CWMS)
Identify CWs and their features to verify declaration data during inspections and make recommendations in that regard to the ITL;Evaluate the technological basis of the declared CW, including both the CWA and the munition parts;Assess the type, condition and other characteristics of the CW stored in CWSFs; and of the Old Chemical Weapon (OCW) or Abandoned Chemical Weapon (ACW). Determine the usability of old chemical munitions;Monitor and verify the destruction of the CWs in CWDFs, and the ACW in Abandoned Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility (ACWDF);Evaluate the characteristics of a declared Chemical Weapons Production Facility (CWPF) such that it can no longer be used for production of CWA.Perform all activities related to Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) as required;Understand the risks of chemical agents, munitions and explosives and advises ITL of protective or other contamination control measures;In NRMs, CI and IAU missions, perform appropriate OPCW procedures and use the associated equipment;Provide support where evidence of possible CW incidents needs to be gathered, with a focus on forensic sound exploitability.Support capacity building efforts to improve knowledge and skills of ITP in evidence gathering, crime scene investigations.Advanced Health and Safety Specialist (AHSS)
Support and advise ITP on H&S issues related to inspection activities;Prepare H&S plans for inspections in the CWs facilities;Determine requirements for medical, H&S equipment and pharmaceuticals to take on inspections;Review fitness certificates and medical history forms of the IT to prepare for and anticipate any issues.Prepare and execute pre- and post- inspection H&S briefings;Monitor the H&S requirement of inspectors in transit and on-site, advising the ITL;Assess and treat inspector medical illness, injury, trauma and exposure to CWs;Co-ordinate the medical treatment of inspectors with national medical services, or oversee the medical evacuation process, consulting with medical officers and HQ;Provide Advanced Life Support medical/safety support during inspections;Evaluate the technological basis of the declared CW, which includes both the CWA and the metal parts;Provide H&S support to inspectors performing munition or CWA assessment during inspections in CWPF, CWSFs, OCWs and ACWs, as well NRMs;Monitor and verify the destruction of CW in CWDFs;Evaluate CWs related medical casualties and interview affected subjects.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
Relevant advanced university degree or equivalent in combination with a min of 5 years qualifying experience.A First level University degree in combination with relevant qualifying experience (min 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree; AC: in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry, or Biochemistry, Bioanalytical, or relevant scientific discipline from a recognised institution.CPT: in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry or Biochemistry, or relevant scientific discipline from a recognised institution.CWMS: in a relevant STEM subject (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, CBRN or closely related field from a recognised institution with background in the field of chemical weapons, chemical defence or munitions. For ammunition or first responder specialists, the lack of a degree may be off-set with other certified training (e.g. military, police HAZMAT response, law enforcement) together with an extensive technical background in the field of toxic chemicals, CWs and/or munitions, and a minimum of 11 yearsโ relevant experience. AHSS: in Paramedical Sciences, CBRN or other closely related field from a recognised institution; Required Certification: Current paramedic registration, current PHTLS certification, current ALS (or ALCS) certification.
Knowledge and Experience
AC: Min 5 years of related experience with an advanced degree or 7 years with a first level degree. Related experience could be in: Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) or Research and Development (R&D) operations in the (bio)chemical industry, (bio)chemical process scale-up, chemical process troubleshooting, working with (especially sample preparation or synthesis) with toxic or other high-hazard chemicals, forensic laboratory (especially related to security or law enforcement fields), research and development in either synthetic or analytical chemistry.
CPT: Min 5 years of relevant experience with an advanced degree or 7 years with a first level degree in chemical industry, such as: (bio)chemical process operations, plant design, (bio)chemical process development, process safety evaluations and/or related technical functions.
CWMS: Min 5 years of related experience with an advanced degree, 7 years with a first level degree or 11 years with relevant certified training in the fields of: toxic chemicals, CWs and/or munitions, Chem-EOD and HAZMAT-response, as well as investigative experience.
AHSS: Min of 5 years of relevant experience with an advanced degree or 7 years with a first level degree or eleven years with an equivalent or specialized training such as a paramedic, professional nursing or health and safety technician. Only candidates with recent hands-on pre-hospital or remote clinical experience with current valid registration will be considered.
Skills and Competencies
Effective communication (especially factually orientated): Speak and write clearly and effectively, listen to others, demonstrate openness in sharing information and in keeping people informed in respect of the sensitivity/confidentiality of the work; Proactive and goal-oriented: Demonstrate initiative, develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing the assigned work; Adaptability: Adapt and develop to evolving circumstances and complex situations, able to work under pressure with multiple projects and in diverse environment, travel frequently and respect and appreciate diversity. Teamwork: Align work with a broader team/organisational goals, place teamโs interest before oneโs own, build consensus rather than make decisions alone; Good situational awareness: Able to swiftly capture and interpret information from the environment and integrate it with previous knowledge to assess, adapt and cope with a situation when required.Demonstrate good computer skills.
All candidates will have to undergo a special fitness test when recruited, including a three-phase employment physical test to ensure an adequate fitness level and heat tolerance in order to wear respirators, and Fully Encapsulated Protective Ensemble. Successful candidates will possibly be required to work in high-risk areas.
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.
According to article 8 paragraph 44 of the Chemical Weapons Convention the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
OPCW is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. OPCW recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
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 organisationโs 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 โAWBZโ and โZorgverzekeringswetโ coverage: โWerken bij een internationale organisatieโ.