Do you want to contribute to the innovative power of the Netherlands? Join us in Sydney, helping the team to interest and attract companies based in Australia and New Zealand in and to the Netherlands. We are looking for a self-starter, who actively seeks cooperation and shares knowledge with our colleagues at the offices and the teams across the Invest in Holland network. The office in Sydney used to be part of the South East Asia and Oceania team, based in both Sydney and Singapore. As we want to strengthen our activities in the area we are now expanding the team and are looking for a director in Australia.

Job description
 

As director you are responsible for identifying and guiding companies that can further strengthen the Dutch economy through establishment or follow-up investments. Your working area is Australia and New Zealand. You are constantly looking for the most interesting prospects, building relationships, with the aim of getting the Netherlands in the picture and ultimately bringing the expansion plans of companies to the Netherlands.

Based on the strategic focus points that you receive from our sector teams, you investigate which niches offer opportunities for potential investment projects in the Netherlands, for example in renewable energy, agrifood, life sciences & health and ICT. You guide and advise these companies in their search for the most suitable location in the Netherlands.

You are responsible for monitoring contacts with companies that are already present in the Netherlands, in the context of our Investor Relations program, gathering investment climate signals and attracting any expansion investments, such as R&D activities, to the Netherlands.

In order to find potential investors you are building and maintaining relevant networks in Australia and New Zealand. You are closely involved in the investment-oriented part of incoming missions from ministers and representatives of local or regional governments. Together with our global marketing and communications team you will develop a promotional strategy. You will be supported in the areas of marketing and communications, project management and daily administrative tasks by the assistant director in Sydney.

Work
 

You will work closely with colleagues at the NFIA HQ in The Hague, the Invest in Holland network (regional and local governments in the Netherlands that focus on investment promotion), colleagues at the embassies and consulates, and local intermediaries/service providers. Learning from colleagues and sharing best practices you will be in contact with our Singapore office on an operational basis. You will receive instructions from and report to the NFIA Commissioner in The Hague. The team in Australia will consist of two persons and as director you will be heading the office and responsible for management.

You work together and independently. Initiative is a requirement and you will have plenty of room to develop yourself. You will work in a dynamic, international and inspiring working environment.

Interested? Take a look at www.investinholland.com.

Where will you work?
 

The Dutch Consulate General (CG) in Sydney represents the interests of the Netherlands in Australia in the areas of trade and investment and consular services, in close cooperation with the Dutch ministries, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and other relevant networks/agencies in the Netherlands. In Australia, the CG in Sydney works closely with the Embassy in Canberra and the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Melbourne. The team at the CG in Sydney currently consists of 13 people (including NFIA staff).

Within the One Team concept, you contribute to the larger tasks of the Dutch diplomatic mission in Australia, in particular where it involves requests from the departments of Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and the RVO in The Hague.

Who are we looking for?
 

You are a results-oriented, curious and open colleague with experience in the economic domain. You are able to empathize with companies' decision-making processes and understand the complexity of such decisions. Navigating a complex force field, you are able to provide solutions, in collaboration with Dutch partners, and thus increase the chances of successful investment decisions.

You can communicate at different levels and work well together. You know how to handle confidential information and you are discrete and honest. You are willing to travel regularly in the region.

Required skills and competences
 

• You have completed an academic education, preferably with an economic component, economics or business administration;
•  You have general knowledge of the Dutch economy and the Dutch investment climate;
•  You have at least 5 years of relevant commercial international experience in the field of promotion, sales or acquisition. Some management experience is required;
• You have experience with and preferably have a relevant network among companies in Australia and New Zealand;
• You are fluent in English, both spoken and written. Proficiency of the Dutch language is a plus;
• You are diplomatic and can communicate at the highest level, both within government and business;
• You have a flexible attitude and organizational skills;
• Having a strong network within Dutch national, regional and local governments (Invest in Holland network), which focus on investment promotion, as well as with intermediaries/service providers is a plus.

Desired competencies: collaboration, results-oriented, integrity, management sensitivity, networking, initiative and persuasiveness.

What we offer
 

The Consulate General offers a 12-month contract (subject to a 1 month probation period) for 38 hours per week (working week is Monday to Friday) and flexibility as regards working times and location. The gross starting salary is between 9,714 AUD per month/scale 9.5 and (maximum) 11,102 AUD per month/scale 9.10, depending on the number of years of relevant work experience.

There are no financial provisions or support of any other kind for a possible move to Sydney. A work visum is required. Please note we can only consider applications from applicants with the Australian nationality and/or applicants in the possession of a (long-term) valid visa with full working rights for Australia.

Interested?
 

Send a motivation letter and CV via e-mail before December 6 2024 end of day. For more information about the position, please contact:

• Anouk van der Kruk, Head of People & Culture, NFIA HQ in The Hague, +31 6 4615 2201 or via e-mail

• Verginia Sardjoe, Personnel & Organization Advisor, NFIA HQ in The Hague, +31 6 2538 3560 or via e-mail

The selection procedure consists of an evaluation of the applications to determine which candidates meet the minimum requirements. After selection, interview rounds follow. In case of equal suitability, internal candidates have priority.

Questions about this procedure can be asked by email. The embassy does not provide any additional information.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pursues an active diversity policy and is committed to an inclusive organization. We do this by optimally deploying and utilizing people's differences. And by creating a work culture where everyone can be themselves and feel valued. When composing teams and hiring new talent, we strive for diversity in, among other things, age, gender (identity), culture, religion, background, orientation, (occupational) disability, knowledge and competencies.