Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer; P

Position: Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer (P-4)
Location: The Hague

Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer (P-4)  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    Contract Type
Fixed-term Professional
Grade
P4
Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
10,372
Closing Date
16/11/2026
Responsibilities  

Job Summary  The Chemical Demilitarisation Branch provides the OPCW with a means to assess and facilitate compliance of the State Parties (SPs) in relation to their obligations related to chemical weapons as stated in the Convention by implementing the verification regime for Chemical Weapons (CW) and CW related facilities under Articles IV, V and Parts II, III, IV (A), IV (B) and V of the Verification Annex, as well as supporting the verification regime for challenge inspections and investigation of alleged use of CW under Articles IX and X.
Responsibilities:
Develop, support and implement a consistent verification regime atCW storage, destruction and production facilities (CW related facilities):
Review and analyse initial and amended declarations as well as other relevant submissions by SPs, including general and annual plans for destruction, detailed facility information and annual destruction reports;
Prepare and agree with the SPs concerned detailed plans for verification of CW destruction based on the provisions of the Convention, declarations, facility information, initial visits and bilateral discussions; submit these plans for consideration and adoption by the Executive Council (EC);
Prepare facility agreements and detailed agreed plans for verification for CW related facilities including any necessary amendments; organise and co-ordinate with other branches/divisions and negotiate such agreements with the SP concerned;
Gather and assess scientific and technical information related to the CW destruction processes, specific features of destruction technologies and operational parameters, design/configuration of CW to be destroyed, monitoring devices installed to provide assurance that no CW are diverted and the destruction process has been completed;
Evaluate during initial visits and final engineering reviews of CW destruction facilities the proposed methods of destruction. Assess the adequacy of specific technological features and operational parameters meet Convention requirements regarding confirmation of endpoint of destruction and CW non-diversion. Establish and agree with the SP the verification measures to be applied on-site;
Evaluate the detailed plans for destruction of CW production facilities or requests for conversion, prepare and negotiate corresponding combined plans in accordance with Convention and relevant EC decisions;
Evaluate the sufficiency of on-site monitoring equipment, procedures and the ability of the inspection team to perform verification activities with a proper level of confidence in a cost-efficient manner. Propose upgrading of monitoring equipment, revision of procedures, if necessary;
During systematic verification of destruction, evaluate the effectiveness of verification activities, analyse deficiencies, and recommend corrective measures or alternative verification methodologies;
Compare and confirm SPs’ annual reports on destruction with data on CW monthly activities;
Ensure that the processing of confidential information handled is in accordance with the Confidentiality regime;
Responsible for technical and verification related aspects of planning and preparation of inspections at CW related facilities; ensure quality of inspections;
Instruct inspection teamson implementation of inspection mandates; advise them on inspection aims, site information, policy requirements, operational instructions and specific verification regime and techniques to be used;
Monitor the progress of on-site inspections and visits; advise inspection teams on verification-related policy and technical issues;
Review interim reports and documents on preliminary factual findings and guide inspection teams preparing final reports to ensure consistency with the Convention, decisions of the EC and Conference of SPs, inspection…