The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at New Delhi has a vacancy for the position of Senior Policy Officer Hydrogen, Climate financing and Energy transition.

Basic details of job

Job title: Senior Policy Officer Hydrogen, Climate financing and Energy transition 
Job level: 09
Number of hours: 38

General features of job

 The Hydrogen, Energy transition and Climate Finance lead will: 

• in close cooperation with the (deputy) head of department, be responsible for analyzing and shaping policy related to (green) hydrogen, innovation, and international collaboration. Engage with both local and international stakeholders to work on hydrogen as a key part of the energy transition, identifying opportunities for bilateral/international cooperation. 
• Monitor and report on hydrogen developments, in close cooperation with (deputy) head of department, ensuring alignment with broader energy and climate policies.
• Advising on strategic initiatives and investments. Furthermore facilitating discussions, drafting policy recommendations, and supporting the implementation of projects (probably merely in EU-Team Europe context).
• Develop roadmaps and strategies to engage India on energy transition and climate finance.  
• In developing roadmaps for energy transition, the 'how' is just as crucial as the 'what.' The roadmap must outline practical, actionable steps to mobilize financing, utilizing innovative financial tools such as green bonds, blended finance, and public-private partnerships. Creativity in identifying technological assistance and capacity-building opportunities is essential, ensuring that the roadmap is not only financially feasible but also adaptable to evolving needs. Flexible co-finance mechanisms can play a critical role in overcoming barriers, enabling collaborative solutions that drive sustainable energy transitions while ensuring broad stakeholder participation and long-term impact.
• Translate ministerial policy frameworks into ctionable proposals for the embassy, ensuring high-quality data analysis and effective communication with relevant Dutch stakeholders.  
•  Collaborate with the Economic Team and embassy members on policy updates and reports for HQ.  
•  Work closely with the innovation department, Indian agencies, financial institutions, the private sector, and international partners, including the Dutch development bank and line ministries.
• The position is based in the Economic Department of the embassy in New Delhi. 

India and the Netherlands enjoy a long-standing bilateral cooperation in the field of water, agriculture, climate/energy, innovation and health, which are the focus areas. An upgrade of the bilateral relations by the implementation of a Strategic Partnership is envisaged.
 
The bilateral cooperation on energy/climate has been intensified and will broadly focus on supporting India’s energy transition and green growth commitments, especially in hydrogen, clean energy, and climate financing. A new MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been signed in September 2024.
 
The engagement lead is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing bilateral cooperation on the development and adoption of green hydrogen technologies. The responsibilities will include analyzing and shaping policies that support the integration of green hydrogen into national and international energy strategies. 

Furthermore, the development of the energy and climate finance roadmap along with relationship development with key stakeholders in India, multilateral institutions and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is an important issue to explore and indicate possibilities. Given the scope and rapid development of the energy transition in India (as well as worldwide), it will be of crucial importance to build new coalitions/partnerships in the field of the energy transition and climate finance. The Senior Policy Officer will closely work under the guidance of the first secretary/coordinator for the energy and climate sector at the embassy. 

Contacts

• Efficient network of contacts in Indian government and business sector, specifically in the hydrogen, energy and climate sector, and the ability to strengthen and expand the network; 
•  With policy officers and senior policy officers, on developments in the policy area and experience with programmes and policy.
•  With senior and other staff on procedures, working methods and progress of programmes, as well as explanation and interpretation of legislation.
•  With colleagues of the Trade Network India (TNI) in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai; the Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Lucknow and Kolkata.
•  With the wider Embassy team, in particular the Political, Public Diplomacy and Culture Department;
•  With Indian and Dutch government representatives and other authorities, business organizations and business community;

Duties & Result areas

Implementation role: 

• Lead the development of comprehensive energy transition (including hydrogen) pathways and climate finance strategies aligned with national and international objectives;  
• Contributing, on the basis of study of literature and stakeholder engagement, to in-depth analysis and advice on the clean energy transition, climate finance trends and policy concerned (involving independent interpretation);
• Pro-actively providing strategic guidance to the Dutch hydrogen and climate/energy sectors, related businesses and relevant stakeholders on market access, as well as economic and commercial developments in the Indian market;
• Identifying, developing and communicating business opportunities; identifying bottlenecks, risk assessments and contributing to solutions like co-financing structures, technological assistance and capacity building;
• Support development of a framework to assess financial viability, climate impact, just transition, energy security implications and green washing risks of current  projects and proposed programs and initiatives seeking climate finance;
• Preparing, planning and organizing trade and strategic missions to India and the Netherlands, as well as trade fairs, seminars, business-to-business meetings and networking events;
• On the trade and business development side, the Officer will respond to trade and investment inquiries of Dutch climate/energy sector. Where required the officer will also deliver targeted workshops; 
• Consulting with heads of embassy sections on wishes and opportunities within the policy area concerned. Proactively coordinating with sector leads from Water, Agriculture (including food security), Health team, in climate finance.
• Developing, maintaining and making use of a relevant network among the Dutch, Indian and multilateral hydrogen and climate/energy sectors, such as private sector companies, knowledge institutions, government organizations and line ministries;  
• Contribute to research and knowledge products through reports, policy briefs and case studies on the relevant area of operation based on studying literature, attending seminars, formal and informal meetings.

Knowledge & Skills / Job requirements

Level of education: professional post graduate level in Climate or Sustainable Finance / Energy systems and transitions / Environmental Studies/ Energy and Climate Economics.
Level of experience: At least 8 years 

Knowledge:

• Expertise in India’s energy transition sector, including hydrogen, policies, stakeholders, and trends.  
• Strong knowledge of climate finance, investment banking, project finance, and international climate finance mechanisms, with familiarity in green bonds, carbon markets, and public-private partnerships in clean energy.  
• Familiarity with the water-food-energy nexus is a plus.  
• Deep understanding of India’s government structure, legislation, and relevant policy frameworks.  
• Up-to-date on global and India-specific climate and energy policies, clean energy developments, and NET0 goals.  
• Skilled in project planning, evaluations, and applying training techniques.  
• Familiarity with the role of Diplomatic Missions in economic diplomacy.  

Skills:  

• Ability to translate insights into recommendations, reports, and policy assessments.  
• Skilled at identifying strategic opportunities and resolving bottlenecks with innovative solutions.  
• Capable of working independently, making decisions based on assignments.  
• Proficient in Hindi and English, with excellent communication skills.  
• Strong computer skills (Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, E-mail, Internet).  

Competencies:

1. Ability to think and write analytically;
2. Ability to network;
3. Pro-active 
4. Flexibility;
5. Team player;
6. Integrity (standard competency)

Experience:

Preferably 7 – 10 years of relevant working experience, in the climate / energy policy and economics sector.

Contacts

• Efficient network of contacts in Indian government and business sector, specifically in the hydrogen, energy and climate sector, and the ability to strengthen and expand the network; 
• With policy officers and senior policy officers, on developments in the policy area and experience with programmes and policy.
•  With senior and other staff on procedures, working methods and progress of programmes, as well as explanation and interpretation of legislation.
•  With colleagues of the Trade Network India (TNI) in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai; the Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Lucknow and Kolkata.
•  With the wider Embassy team, in particular the Political, Public Diplomacy and Culture Department;
•  With Indian and Dutch government representatives and other authorities, business organizations and business community;

Working Environment

Brief description of the Mission and the physical work environment

The diplomatic, consular and business support network of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of India comprises the Embassy in New Delhi, Consulates-General in Bangalore and Mumbai, Netherlands Business Support Offices (NBSO’s) in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad and Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow.

The Embassy in New Delhi has around 75 staff members. The Chancery of the Embassy is located within the diplomatic enclave at 6-50/F Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, 110021 New Delhi.

Brief description of the Economic Department:

The Economic Department team includes the Economic Counsellor/Head of Department, a First Secretary, and four Policy Officers, with Senior Policy Officers reporting to the Counsellor/First Secretary. The Department plays a central role in strengthening bilateral economic relations between the Netherlands and India.  

The Economic Cluster consists of the Economic Department, along with the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Life Sciences and Health, and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, all coordinated by the Economic Counsellor. The Cluster works closely with Consulates-General in Mumbai and Bangalore, Netherlands Business Support Offices in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, and Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Kolkata, and Lucknow, forming the Trade Network India (TNI), coordinated by the Economic Counsellor.

Type of employee required

A committed, self-driven and proactive team player with excellent research, critical thinking and analytical capabilities. A great sense of humour is an added value.

It would be a strongly appreciated asset if the candidate has a proven track-record in building, and expanding, new coalitions/partnerships in the field of hydrogen, climate financing and energy transition, including for example government agencies, (commercial and development) banks, companies, knowledge institutions and NGO’s.

Employment conditions

The selected candidate will be offered an employment contract for one year. Upon expiry of this contract, a two-year employment contract will be offered in case of excellent job performance. On the same condition, a three-year employment contract will be offered upon the expiry of the second employment contract. Any successive employment contract thereafter will be decided upon on a case-by-case basis.
Upon employment, the employee will be ranked in salary scale 9, the same as the job level. All ten salary scales at the Embassy comprise 16 pay numbers. The pay number assigned to the employee upon employment depends on the number of years of relevant experience. After every 12 months, the employee may be awarded one additional pay number depending on his or her job performance in the preceding 12 months. At present, salary scale 9 starts with a gross monthly salary of INR 179,135 for pay number 0 and ends with a gross monthly salary of INR 268,702 for pay number 15. Salaries are reviewed every first of January. Every December a 13th month salary is paid. Within certain restrictions 95% of necessary medical cost are reimbursed. Employees are encouraged and supported to seek further training and education to improve their skills and broaden their employability. This is paid for by the employer. 

Income tax and social security premiums are to be paid by the employee in accordance with Indian Law and regulations.

Application

Applicants who are interested in the position and wish to apply for it can send their application by email, no later than March 12, 2025.