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.
Purpose of Internship:
The internship offers the candidate a hands-on experience in the Human Resources Branch (HRB) of a multicultural international organisation. By supporting the Talent Development Team, the intern will contribute to performance management, learning initiatives and training coordination, while gaining insight into OPCW’s operations and HR practices.
Under the supervision of Head, Talent Development, and in coordination with the Senior Talent Development Assistant and Senior Talent Management Assistant, the intern will be responsible for providing substantive and operational support for talent development initiatives, plans, evaluations, and reports. This will include:
1. Supporting the Learning Plans and Reporting Process
2. Contributing to Learning Activities and Digital Platforms
Supporting the scheduling and coordination of learning initiatives, including liaising with trainers and participants, preparing training materials, and maintaining attendance records;Supporting user experience across Learning and Performance Management Platforms (e.g., Talentsoft), webinar tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom), and digital learning tools (e.g., Articulate 360, Canva, Centimetre, Padlet), ensuring the quality, accuracy and timeliness of all inputs made;Researching and brainstorming the latest in the field of and making recommendations on how to leverage this at OPCW;Assisting in the preparation and delivery of webinars and other knowledge-sharing activities, as required.3. Supporting Communication and Outreach Activities
Contributing to the drafting, editing, and proofreading of internal communications materials related to learning activities, such as intranet posts, and event announcements;Supporting the design and dissemination of digital and multimedia content in coordination with relevant stakeholders to promote engagement with talent development activities;Maintaining updated content across internal platforms to ensure consistent and timely communication of learning opportunities and activities.4. Supporting Performance Management Activities
Supporting the communication and outreach during the various stages of the performance review process;Assisting with the spot checks of performance forms for quality and accuracy.5. Performing other related duties as required
Essential:
Enrolled in and have completed at least one year of degree programme in a university (or equivalent tertiary institution) in Public or Business Administration, Human Resources Management/Development, Instructional Design, Education, Communications, or a related field or;Enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher) or;Have graduated from a university or a graduate school degree in any of the fields above, within a year prior to the commencement of the internship.
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 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