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
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Human Resources Branch (HRB) provides and maintains a quality human resource and workforce management framework to ensure the Secretariat can fulfil its strategic and operational objectives efficiently and effectively. Amongst others, the Branch is responsible for recruiting, performance management, policy advice, employee development programmes and overall strategic resource planning.
Purpose of the Internship:
- Assist in creating content for HR communication channels;
- Contribute to HR projects and gain hands-on experience in HR initiatives, ensuring clear and consistent messaging;
- Develop skills in writing, design, and communication strategies;
- Support employer branding by creating materials for outreach efforts.
Main Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Head, Human Resources, the intern will be tasked with the following:
- Assist in updating and managing content for HR communication platforms and templates;
- Update and design HTML templates for job vacancy listings;
- Create and design branding materials and communication pieces on a spectrum of HR topics to enhance employer branding and user experience;
- Support broad HR projects with a focus on communications, benchmarking and analysis;
- Produce marketing and informational materials (collateral) based on existing templates;
- Write and edit content for various communication channels;
- Draft and update internal HR communications;
- Research best practices in employer branding and HR communications;
- Contribute to the HR team's knowledge by staying informed about trends in HR communications and employer branding;
- Explore the best application of technology and messaging to attract broad interest in the work of OPCW.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- A recent university graduate with a degree in a relevant area, such as business or public administration, industrial psychology, communications or marketing; or, enrolled in a current in a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher);
- Be a citizen of an OPCW Member State.
Desirable:
- Familiarity with project management.
Skills and Competencies
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey ideas and build connections;
Digital dexterity; Familiarity with HTML and design tools such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, or other relevant tools;
Writing and editing expertise (preferred), with the ability to create and refine content and independently undertake research;
You enjoy working with people and building relationships in a collaborative team environment;
You are a proactive team player with a creative approach to tasks;
Creative skills are not a must but are considered a plus;
Organisational skills, with the ability to manage;
Multiple tasks and meet deadlines;
Respect for diversity and an open mindset.
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.
- 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.
- Participants will be asked to provide proof that they have sufficient financial means for living expenses for the period of their internship.
- Interns will work with the normal working pattern of the OPCW which will amount to no more than 40 hours a week.
- 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.
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
