About Us
The OPCW’s 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
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Secretariat for the Policy-Making Organs (PMO) provides support to the policy-making organs and subsidiary bodies of the OPCW, facilitating the decision-making process and the follow-up to and implementation of decisions.
The Language Services Branch (LSB) provides the policy-making organs of the Organisation and the Technical Secretariat with editorial, translation, and interpretation support, which includes the provision of authoritative advice on the usage of the official languages of the OPCW and of specific terminology, the planning and provision of interpretation services into all the official languages for the sessions and meetings, the editing of official-series documents of the OPCW, and of certain verification-related documents, and the translation of official-series documents, and of certain verification-related documents, into all the languages of the OPCW.
Main Responsibilities
- As the final authority for the specific official language in the OPCW, plan, organise, supervise and monitor interpretation, translation and revision work and terminology research within that language section including contractual translations. Allocate work to the section staff, assign staff to specific duties and control the quality and quantity of output;
- Formulate and develop guidelines governing the work of that language section;
- Revise and/or translate texts of highly sensitive political, confidential or technically complex nature, provide simultaneous and/or consecutive interpretation services;
- Advise on language matters to Secretariat staff and relevant delegations and make authoritative language determinations in that language;
- Evaluate the performance of staff within the section and ensure the best use of their knowledge and experience. Recommend action on personnel, budgetary, procedural and other matters relevant to the efficient functioning of the section. Liaise with relevant OPCW units on the provision of linguistic services;
- Strictly comply with the OPCW confidentiality regime and other relevant policy documents.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential:
- An advanced university degree or equivalent qualification in languages (translation and interpretation) from a university or institution of equivalent status;
- A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) in areas languages translation and interpretation may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- A minimum of seven years (with an advanced university degree) or nine years (with a first university degree) of continuous translation and interpretation experience, preferably within the United Nations system.
Skills and Competencies
- Knowledge and ability to translate and interpret highly specialised technical subjects;
- Effective management skills, with good planning and team building capacities;
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment;
- An understanding of international affairs. Thorough knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention and related disarmament and technical issues is desirable;
- Computer literacy, including knowledge and ability to work with Windows-compatible word processing equipment and Share Point;
- Tact and discretion, particularly the ability to work within a confidentiality regime and a diplomatic environment;
- Ability to work under stress.
Languages
A perfect command of the specific official language, which must be a first language. An excellent knowledge of English and one other language of the Organisation (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish as applicable) is also required. Knowledge of additional languages 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 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’.
