General  

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Finland
Job scale: 8 (local, ranging from 3.840 to 5.760 euro gross per month, depending on experience) 
Number of hours per week: 36,25 hrs
Starting date: April 2025 (exact date to be determined)  

General job description 

The Policy Officer Economic Affairs and Trade Promotion builds expertise and a strong network in the field of economic affairs, in order to promote trade and investment opportunities between the Netherlands and Finland.  

 Main activities

Economic Policy
•    Following relevant policy developments in Finland in the field of economic affairs, specifically the energy transition and digitalisation. 
•    Maintaining a network and building up expertise in the above mentioned fields. Keeping an eye on the media, key organisations’ communications and the ‘grapevine’ of contacts within the private and public circles to keep abreast of these new developments. Alerting the Embassy management to these developments wherever necessary. 
•    With the gained knowledge, contributing to the economic reporting of the Embassy, including on relevant issues on the EU agenda (such as the Single Market, EU Recovery Fund, Competitiveness and Energy).

Trade Promotion
•    Handling enquiries from Dutch and Finnish businesses, institutions and entrepreneurs about trade and doing business. 
•    Providing assistance to trade missions and delegations from Dutch ministries, public and private organisations and private companies, as well as connecting Dutch and Finnish organisations in developing cooperation. 
•    Developing promotional projects with the help of the local budget earmarked for the Promotion of Economic Activities (BPA), or other Embassy financing when feasible.
•    Identifying trade and investment opportunities in the identified target sectors (currently Offshore Wind, Hydrogen and Batteries) by monitoring the media and trade portals for leads which might prove relevant to Dutch companies. 
•    Working together with colleagues at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the network of Dutch embassies in the Nordic-Baltic countries and with the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency NFIA.
•    When a particular opportunity such as a large energy infrastructure project appears, forwarding it through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) or contacts at other relevant Dutch organisations.
•    Regular attendance of seminars and meetings within sectors of interest to the Netherlands and forwarding of the information to relevant instances.

Other duties
•    In cooperation with the Policy Support Officer for Public Diplomacy and Trade Promotion of the Embassy, the employee participates in events and actively works with “NL branding” (promotion and merchandise). The employee will also keep the online presence up-to-date by actively posting information on the Embassy’s social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn and X) on the activities of the Embassy.
•    Together with the other staff there is a rotation schedule for the Embassy’s emergency telephone outside office hours, where the person participates in. 
•    Contributing to the internal affairs of the Embassy by carrying out relevant administrative work (archiving, contact management, logistic support) and attending regular courses (e.g. fire drill, consular, IT applications and systems).
•    The position may include occasional travelling to the Netherlands and in the Nordic region. There is an opportunity for work-related and personal development training in Finland and/or in the Netherlands. 

Scope of flexibility

•       The main workplace will be the premises of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Occasionally, attendance and assistance is requested at the Residence of the Ambassador. 
•       The Embassy offers the possibility to occasionally work from home, after consultation and when work permits. 
•       Receiving on a rotating basis possible emergency telephone calls outside the office hours.  

Educational requirements

•       Higher professional level (HBO), with preferably at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
•       Languages: Excellent command of the English and Finnish language. Command of the Dutch language is a strong plus (but is not a requisite).

Other knowledge and skills

•       Knowledge of the field of work/ministry policy and the ministry cycles (policy, budget, annual plan, etc.).  
•       Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies and developments related to the field of work. 
•       General understanding of communications and public information. 
•       Ability to identify and analyse developments and problems. 
•       Skilled in dealing with external parties both orally and in writing.
•       Skilled in analysing questions and responding to them both orally and in writing. 
•       Skilled in preparing/coordinating meetings/incoming and outgoing missions/products.
•       Skilled in drawing up advisory reports and memos and developing products with a process-based approach.
•       Skilled in translating insights and information into recommendations, plans and reports, and in assessing the policy-related and financial    consequences arising from them.
•       Skilled in developing, promoting and defending policy, new ideas and concepts. 
•       Skilled in creating (policy) products and overseeing their implementation.
•       Knowledge of ICT systems.

Profile

An enthusiastic, proactive and flexible team player and networker with creative ideas, who is able to work independently. He/she is committed to finding effective ways of promoting and intensifying business relations between the Netherlands and Finland. The employee has a clear affinity with economic policy issues and economic developments in Finland. 

He/she is prepared to develop a better understanding of the work of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch line ministries and Dutch and EU policies in the relevant result areas  (i.a., Energy, Digitalization, Climate Change and Circularity). The employee is capable of integrating Dutch foreign policy issues and current affairs into the daily work of the Embassy. 

It is also important to have excellent networking skills. The employee should be prepared to travel when necessary.

Work environment

•    The Embassy of the Kindom of the Netherlands in Helsinki is a small-sized bilateral diplomatic representation in a fellow-member state of the European Union and NATO. 
•    The main tasks of the Embassy are maintaining bilateral relations between both countries, following the Finnish position on a broad range of topics (EU, NATO, geopolitics, the energy transition and climate change), assisting Dutch citizens travelling, working or living abroad and promoting opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs and investors. 
•    The team at the Embassy in Helsinki is devoted to “modern diplomacy”. The working environment is open, informal, trusting and result-oriented. 
•    The Embassy building is situated on the fifth floor and located in the center of Helsinki, with a close proximity to other Embassies, Government institutions and public transport. 
•    The office consists of an open-plan work environment where there are no enclosed office rooms or walled cubicles for employees. Multiple staff members work in the same office at their own desk.  

Deadline and Contact  

•    Please send your application (CV + motivation letter) by e-mail no later than 23 February 2025.
•    Please do not hesitate to call the Embassy (+358) 9228920 in case of any questions on the job content. Ask for deputy Head of Mission Lieske de Krijger.

Diversity 

The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs pursues an active diversity policy and is committed to an inclusive approach organization. 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 the composition of teams; when hiring new talent, we strive for diversity in age, gender, culture, background, orientation, (dis)abilities, knowledge and competences. We invite you to indicate in your motivation how you will commit yourself to this.