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.
- Contract Type
Fixed-term Professional
- Grade
P5
- Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
12,834
- Closing Date
19/06/2026
The Health and Safety Branch (HSB) ensures that health and safety standards relating to the activities of the OPCW and its personnel are set and met. The Branch provides occupational health and safety services, including medical clearances and training for missions, certified sick leave approval and monitoring, duty travel and recruitment; approval of health and safety plans for all missions; limited primary health care; wellbeing promotion and prevention advice; workplace ergonomic assessments; and emergency medical services to all OPCW personnel.
The HSB supports mental health programmes run by the Staff Relations and Welfare Officer and makes referrals to external medical and mental health professionals and has the responsibility to liaise with these providers when it comes to the active monitoring of the health status of our staff and providing a holistic approach to duty of care.
The Branch also provides advice to management on health and safety risks associated with OPCW activities, and providing regular reports on health and wellbeing matters that affect OPCW personnel.
The Head, Health and Safety Branch leads and oversees the OPCW’s occupational health and safety function. Overall, the position is responsible for the effective identification, prevention and mitigation of health and safety risks and implementation of safeguards for OPCW personnel, certifying fitness to work and ensuring adequate support and training for missions. Furthermore, Head, Health and Safety Branch holds responsibility for duty of care to the staff member while also giving due consideration to protect the interests of the Organisation.
Responsibilities:
Management of a comprehensive Health and Safety (HS) Programme
Lead the development of Occupation Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy aligned with OPCW’s mandate, operational risks and duty-of-care obligations
Develop and implement medical, occupational HS, mental health and psychosocial risk management policies and standards for staff, including while deployed
Establish, in collaboration with the Staff Relations and Welfare Officer, organisational psychosocial risk framework, including stress risk assessments and post-mission psychological support mechanisms
Manage pre-employment, routine, and exit medical and psychological screenings for high-risk or high stress roles and determine the need for psychological screening in line with psychosocial risk management standards. Lead and implement medical programmes for staff exposed to hazardous environments or chemical risks
Analyse HS data to identify priority areas and provide strategic advice to senior management for the HS programme. Offer guidance on emerging occupational health and safety risks, organisational liability, prevention and mitigation measures, and trends affecting fitness for work
Lead HS preventive health programmes. Lead and review the occupational HS risk assessment framework, ensuring duty-of-care obligations across OPCW
Management of the HSB
Provide strategic leadership and supervisory oversight of HSB, ensuring effective workforce planning, performance management and staff development
Advise on occupational health cases, such as long-term sick leave, complex medical or psychosocial cases, workplace accommodation, and return-to-work plans in consultation with all stakeholders, ensuring timely communication and appropriate line manager involvement
Design reports and regularly present findings and observations to senior management with recommendations for risk mitigation. Draft memorandums on sensitive staff cases, providing medical expertise and justified recommendations for their consideration
Identify policy and procedural gaps and lead the development of guidance documentation and revisions
Develop the OPCW’s HS budget and monitor its effective implementation
HS Measures of the OPCW Inspections
Provide HS guidance to deployed staff with ongoing follow‑up and support during and after deployment
Set HS standards for inspections and ensure inspection teams manage risks to health and safety as far as reasonably practicable
Conduct mission-specific medical and psychological risk assessments prior to deployment, including fitness-for-mission evaluations
Develop critical incident management protocol including immediate response procedure, psychological assessment, post-incident follow-up and reintegration support
Liaise closely with the relevant Divisions to ensure that HSB activities are in line with inspection requirements
Advise the Inspectorate Division and ensure that teams are adequately supported by qualified specialists
Quality Assurance and Governance of OPCW’s HS Programme
Implement a quality assurance programme covering all aspects of the HS system and including regular HS inspections of workplaces
Ensure safety data is systematically collected and analysed to develop key performance indicators, enhance training and procedures, and promptly escalate any significant concerns to the DDG
Establish and maintain contact with the UN agencies, international organisations. Keep abreast of developments in the field
Clinical Activities
Supplement the clinical services of the medical section during periods of staff absence, or times of high operational requirements
Provide medical consultation and confidential counselling to staff; offer professional consultation to inspectorate and/or medical staff, as required
Lead the systematic tracking, analysis, and documentation of HSB clinical activities, including occupational health cases, medical clearances, and workplace health interventions
Essential:
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An advanced university level degree in medicine with current registration as a registered medical practitioner. Postgraduate qualification in occupational health. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (Minimum 12 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Desirable:
- Advanced training in Mass Casualty Management or in the field of chemical weapons.
Essential:
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Minimum 10 years of progressive clinical experience, with background in family medicine and/or occupational health with advanced degree;
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Demonstrated management experience in leading and resolving complex occupational health and safety cases within a multi-cultural organisation, including proactive liaison and coordination with internal stakeholders, such as Legal, Human Resources, line managers, and external partners, such as medical providers, regulatory authorities, insurance providers, to ensure compliant timely and risk-informed resolution of sensitive and high-impact cases;
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Proven experience in designing reports, identifying trends and presenting solutions to management.
Desirable:
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Experience in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) medicine and/or occupational medicine in the chemical industry;
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Knowledge or experience with the Dutch healthcare system;
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International experience or experience within a military environment;
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International experience with UN or other INGOs;
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Field knowledge and previous deployment on highly sensitive or critical missions;
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Familiarity with medical software.
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Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including ability to think strategically and achieve results;
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Excellent and proven planning, organisational, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;
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Strong analytical and conceptual skills in analysing and interpreting operational issues, formulating options, and proposing and implementing solutions;
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Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including ability to effectively supervise, mentor, train, develop and evaluate staff;
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Ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve section goals;
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Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment and to work with confidential information;
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Strong analytical and conceptual skills;
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Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication (verbal and written) skills;
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Computer literacy (MS Office packages);
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Ability and willingness to deploy at short notice on contingency operations, as travel might be required for missions and other work-related issues.
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.
Please note that all vacancies will close at 22:00 The Netherlands local time on their respective closing day. Thereafter, the vacancy announcements will no longer appear in the Candidate Portal and you will no longer be able to submit your application. We recommend that you apply well in advance of the deadline.
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’.
