The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Addis Ababa is looking for a Policy officer Climate.

Basic details of the job

Job title:             Policy officer Climate 
Mission:             Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Addis Ababa
Job level/remuneration:     Scale 9 (EUR 2125-2692 gross, depending on experience). Salary is pegged to the Euro, paid in ETB.
Working hours per week:     40
Job assignment        The assignment is temporary, for 12 months, after which an            extension with one year is possible.

The ideal candidate:

•    Brings in passion for climate adaptation and -mitigation as well as for private sector development.
•    Is a self-starter, with an entrepreneurial spirit to connect and create. 
•    Is pro-active, creative, curious, results-oriented, and willing to learn.
•    Able to work and communicate constructively and effectively with colleagues at all levels. 
•    Able to bring in and develop a functional network, and to manage relationships, at international, national, and local levels. 
•    Is a team-worker who can multi-task and is able to pioneer in this new position. 

Description of the position

Climate is a priority theme within the Dutch Policy for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. The climate officer in the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Addis Ababa will work together with other colleagues in the policy team to strengthen the climate activities within the development cooperation program of the Netherlands in Ethiopia, not by having his/her own portfolio and funding, but by smartly working together with all different instruments available to achieve more. Through sustainable trade, investment, and private sector development we contribute to economic growth and to reducing poverty in Ethiopia. The climate angle is important to achieve that. Therefore, it is crucial to work together with private sector to stimulate climate relevant solutions in their operations. 
This requires a very creative and pro-active approach and the ability to work with different stakeholders to co-create and to connect existing ‘dots’ between ideas, programmes, and (financial) instruments. The climate officer will function as a broker between climate relevant initiatives of the private sector, development sector and available financing instruments. This means you will work closely together with your direct colleagues, colleagues from the Ministry in The Hague, other embassies, the EU, NGO’s, and the Ethiopian government. 

Description of the Duties

Connect

•    Establish a relevant climate network with the Ethiopian government, donor partners, NGOs, (Dutch) private sector, and relevant actors in the Netherlands. 
•    Actively liaise with the Regional Senior Climate Expert for Africa based in Nairobi and other climate colleagues in Africa.

 Create

•    Advise and provide feedback on new and existing Dutch climate initiatives in Ethiopia from different funding streams and connect them to relevant partners in the country to create synergies and possible new forms of cooperation. 
•    Identify opportunities to engage (local, regional, international) private sector in co-creating solutions to climate and environmental challenges and bring stakeholders together for dialogue and to explore opportunities with available climate financing instruments. 

Climate financing

•    Explore opportunities to support relevant Ethiopian government agencies with capacity building for better access to climate financing.  
•    Climate financing opportunities: understand the landscape of climate financing and other possible financing instruments and connect it to the relevant stakeholders in Ethiopia. 

Working environment

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Addis Ababa consists of 18 Dutch and 32 national staff members. The main working areas of the embassy are development cooperation, economic affairs, consular affairs, and political affairs. The embassy also includes the Permanent Mission to the African Union. The Policy Officer Climate will be a member of the Policy team of the embassy. 

Requirements for the position

Knowledge and experience

•    An advanced university degree (a master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant area for this position.
•    Relevant working experience (e.g., in water, agriculture, business development, consultancy, sustainability projects, trade & investment, climate change or climate finance).
•    Understanding of business opportunities in climate-related sectors.
•    Knowledge of strategic and socio-economic developments in the development sector, in particular climate change, adaptation, and mitigation.
•    Appropriate network of contacts in business and climate related fields.
•    Written and verbal communication skills in English are essential. 
•    Experience with initiating innovative approaches and sound conceptual and strategic thinking.

Important competencies

•    Initiative
•    Creativity
•    Flexibility 
•    Written communication skills
•    Cooperation
•    Networking
•    Analytical skills
•    Integrity

Other remarks

Diversity and Inclusion

The Embassy pursues an active diversity policy and is committed to an inclusive organisation. We do this by making optimal use of people’s differences. And by creating a work culture where everyone can be themselves and feel valued. We strive for diversity in terms of gender, age, culture, background, orientation, disability, knowledge, and competencies when compiling teams and hiring new talent. 

Application procedure

Applicant must submit the following documents by email: 
1.    Resume with listing of work experience in reverse chronological order – (last job first) – including job description for each position held and (any) significant achievement in that position. 
2.    Motivation letter demonstrating why you want this job and why you are the best candidate for this position, including some examples which show your competence of being pro-active, entrepreneurial, creative and a good networker. 

Applications will only be received by email at ADD@minbuza.nl  with Subject: Application for the post of “Climate Policy Officer”. Application Deadline: Friday 17 May 2024