2026-587 - Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer (P-4)

Category : Chemical Demilitarisation Branch - (0906)/Senior Chemical Demilitarisation Officer - (F0221)

Contract Type : Fixed-term Professional

Job Details :

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 at CW 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 teams on 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 mandate and policy requirements; Draft inspection related correspondence to inspected SPs and forward final inspection reports within the time limit set forth in the Convention. Advise management on verification results and recommend follow-up actions where necessary; Discuss with the experts/representatives of SPs and seek resolution of any inspection and policy issue that requires further attention. Provide input to internal and external reports of the Secretariat and assist in the resolution of outstanding issues by providing technical support to the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), cluster groups and SPs: Provide technical input for development of special reports of the Secretariat, including annual and verification implementation reports; Participate in consultations with States Parties and provide technical assessments and proposals to address verification-related issues with respect to CW-related facilities; Prepare information on the results of verification activities for the Director-General, EC, and Conference of SPs; develop and submit reports and documents related to the progress of CW destruction and the implementation of systematic verification of CW destruction; Provide technical advice to the SAB and cluster groups for the resolution of outstanding unresolved issues. Lead knowledge management activities with regard to the verification at the CW related facilities. Provide technical and lecturing support for training activities and during international events; participate in bilateral technical visits and inspections: Support training of inspectors, National Authorities and staff in matters related to Article IV and Part IV (A) of the Verification Annex; Participate as inspector in initial visits, final engineering reviews, systematic verification of CW destruction, and challenge inspections; Use the experience gained during on-site inspections to increase efficiency of verification-related Headquarters tasks; Represent the Secretariat at international workshops, conferences and symposia. Perform any other duties, as required.