Is Trade and Economy really your thing? Are you interested in positioning Dutch business in Canada and strengthening trade relations between Canada and The Netherlands? Are you bursting with creative ideas? Do you enjoy organizing public events? Do you like analyzing and reporting on a wide range of policy topics?
Location: Economic Affairs Section, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ottawa
Duration: a fixed-term contract for an initial period of one year (with a maximum of two)
Work week: 37,5 (full-time)
We are looking for a dynamic, proactive, flexible and creative coworker with a curious attitude. You enjoy building new relationships and you closely follow (economic) developments in Canadian society. You are a team player who likes to keep many balls in the air, takes initiative to attain results and knows how to generate enthusiasm. You are able to develop an awareness of developments and opportunities that arise to promote Dutch business and Dutch policy interests. Your oral and written communication skills are strong, and you are familiar with the use of social media in a professional context.
What are you going to do?
As one of the two Senior Trade and Economic Officers at the embassy, you support Dutch companies in doing business in Canada, primarily in Ottawa, Quebec, and the Atlantic Provinces. You liaise closely with colleagues at the Consulates-General in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as with the relevant attachés based at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C. You manage the embassy’s activities in the fields of Agri-food, Life Sciences & Health and Water, and are also responsible for the files of Sustainability and Climate Change, Female entrepreneurship and Youth Mobility. On these and other issues, you will regularly provide recommendations and proactive advice to the Ambassador.
Tasks
- Support Dutch companies in doing business in Canada (primarily regions of Ottawa, Quebec, and Atlantic provinces).
- Respond to trade enquiries from Dutch/Canadian companies and organizations, by supplying tailor-made information, general market and sector information, and supporting Dutch businesses to access the Canadian market.
- Manage files for the economic sectors: Agri-food; Life Sciences & Health; Water; Sustainability and Climate Change; Female entrepreneurship; Youth Mobility
- Provide policy analysis on economic developments and government policies in Canada (mainly pertaining to above listed sectors), to inform Netherlands’ policymaking.
- Prepare briefing materials, talking points, presentations and speeches for senior management.
- (Co-)organize trade missions (outgoing and incoming), trade promotion activities (webinars/workshops/panel discussions) and networking events.
- Manage budget for economic promotional activities, including monitor ongoing expenditure and prepare project evaluations.
- Ensure all economic activities and projects align with organizational strategic goals and expected results.
- Build a strong and relevant network with both public and private sector.
What do we ask of you?
- Graduate-level degree in business studies/admin, economics, international relations, or related academic field
- At least two years relevant professional work experience in the economic/trade sector, preferably with experience in a national or international setting
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience in analysis, drafting, editing, and report writing
- Strong networking abilities, and capable of quickly developing and maintaining relations with a wide network of contacts and stakeholders
- Excellent planning and organizational skills, including experience in project management
- Professional fluency in English required, professional fluency in French strongly desired. Professionally fluency in Dutch would also be an asset.
- Flexible and able to work within limited timeframes and with minimum supervision
- Be in possession of a valid Canadian work permit. The embassy does not assist with this.
Working environment
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Canada, as part of the Dutch economic and diplomatic network, promotes strong bilateral relations between Canada and the Netherlands. The Dutch diplomatic network represents, promotes and protects the interests of the government of the Netherlands, as well as those of Dutch nationals visiting or living in Canada and those representing Dutch businesses.
As a trading nation, the Netherlands continues to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, that is rooted in strong beliefs of security, freedom and justice. The Netherlands and Canada share a deep and unique bond founded upon joint values and history. Our strong ties create jobs, sound investments, and promising opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic, especially in the areas of Peace and Justice, Water Management, Agriculture and Horticulture, Life Sciences and Health, Hi-tech Innovation and Circular Economy.
The Embassy in Ottawa has 13 employees. The Embassy is located on the 20th floor of a modern office building in the center of the city. Close cooperation takes place with the Consulates General in Vancouver and Toronto, with attachés in Washington, co-accredited to Canada, and with honorary consuls in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax.
The Embassy is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
Interested?
For further information: ott-bb@minbuza.nl.
Apply before 11 March 2022 by means of a motivation letter and CV to ott-bb@minbuza.nl.
