The Netherlands has over 140 diplomatic missions worldwide. At the Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia, we are looking for a team player with strong social and communicative skills, who has a pro-active attitude to fill the role of Assistant Defence Attaché for Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. The position gives an excellent opportunity to work in an international setting with the military community, security organizations and the military defence industry of the Netherlands and the mentioned countries. Deadline: 1 March 2024

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Defence Department of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Skopje represents the Dutch Commander of the Armed Forces in three countries: Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. The Department consists of a Defence Attaché (Defat) and an Assistant Defence Attaché (Ass Defat).
The Assistant Defence Attaché functions as part of the Defence Department of the Dutch Embassy in Skopje (North Macedonia) with a regional function for Albania and Kosovo, in close cooperation with the Head of Mission. Monitoring and reporting on military issues is the core task which is strongly  related to political, security and stability issues. Therefore, close collaboration and information sharing with all policy staff members of the Embassy is a necessity in order to fulfill the core tasks assigned by the Defence Staff in The Hague. The Assistant Defence Attaché will be directly managed by the Defence Attaché. The Dutch Embassy team in Skopje consists of 16 employees: 4 diplomatic and 12 local (policy) staff members. 

The work of the Ass Defat focuses on four areas:
-Political / strategic: monitoring the military domain and analysing possible implications on political affairs;
-Military: monitoring developments within the Armed Forces of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia and implementing bilateral cooperation with the Royal Dutch Armed Forces;
-Operational support to the Armed forces of the Netherlands during missions, operations and training activities;
-Economy: Facilitating trade contacts between the military defence industry of the Netherlands and the mentioned countries.

DUTIES AND RESULT AREAS

Description of duties:

-Assist the Defence Attaché (based in Skopje) with his activities;
-Assist with the implementation of the operational assignment of the Dutch Defence Staff, in close relation and cooperation with the Dutch Embassies in Pristina, Skopje and Tirana;
-Monitor and analyze developments within the military domain in relation to military topics (political-military, the armed forces in the mentioned countries, Dutch missions/operations/trainings in the mentioned countries and the military defence industry);
-Assist with the management of bilateral projects in support of the armed forces in the mentioned countries;
-Proactively build and maintain a professional network with local and Dutch institutions, civil society and international organizations related to the military domain;
-Monitor and analyze developments in the political-military domain, in close cooperation with the Political Departments of the mentioned Embassies;
-Preparing timely (deadline bound) reports, briefings, speeches, speaking points, background notes;
-Administrative tasks including contact- and relation management, agenda management, (military) service mail, the Defence Department's budgeting; assist with diplomatic clearances for military ground-, sea- and air transport and handling the Requests for Visit and Requests for Information, travel planning, permission for military overflights.
Description of result areas:
-Organizing key data, to be available for reports, background briefings and project monitoring;
-Timely and to the point drafting and contributing to reports on military related developments;
-Assisting with organizing official visits, missions and workshops in the military domain;
-Support and/or replace the Defence Attaché, upon his request;
-Having, maintaining and expanding a functional and effective network in the military domain;
-Initiating, managing and monitoring a successful project portfolio.

REQUIREMENTS

Brief description of the type of employee required:
The Assistant Defence Attaché has a ‘customer-oriented’ attitude with a good sense of humor. He/she is be able to work in a team and has a flexible attitude. He/she is able to express him/herself to the point, both verbally and in writing, and able work with strict deadlines. He/she has knowledge and affinity with the defence matters as well as with military-political, security and stability topics as described above. He/she possesses, or has to develop, a network in the mentioned fields. The Assistant Defence Attaché is proactive, capable of ‘multi-tasking’ and is willing to travel to the Netherlands and/or in the Western Balkan region. 

Knowledge and areas of experience:

-Master degree (or equivalent) in a relevant academic area;
-Level of experience: a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience is required (the military or security domain is preferred);
-Fluency in written and spoken English;
-Good knowledge (written and spoken) of both the official languages (Macedonian and Albanian) is a plus;
-Knowledge of the Dutch language is a plus;
-Knowledge of the local government and institutional framework, as well as of local civil society;
-Good computer and information technology skills;
-Working experience in an international environment would be a plus;
-Knowledge of the of the Military, EU and NATO institutional framework is a plus;
-Project management experience is a plus;
-Good communication skills, sense of humor and flexibility.

Competences:

-Initiative;
-Ability to think analytically;
-Networking skills
-client orientation;
-Writing skills;
-Integrity;
-Ability to work with others.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The successful candidate will initially be offered a temporary contract for 1 year (with the possibility of extension).
The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a professional background and medical check and is to commence employment as of 01 June 2021. A screening check is also required for this position. Any job offer is conditional upon successful screening clearance.
 
This job profile does not describe in full detail all tasks. This profile provides the precondition for the job. It is important that the employee is flexible and has an open mind to do additional tasks. Employee must be willing to work beyond office hours when requested.
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is in a constant process of change. Those changes may have effect on the tasks as stated in this profile. 

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants should submit their CV and Cover letter in English either Dutch by March 1th to SKO-DEFAT@minbuza.nl
Job Vacancy: Assistant Defence Attaché
The Netherlands has over 140 diplomatic missions worldwide. At the Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia, we are looking for a team player with strong social and communicative skills, who has a pro-active attitude to fill the role of Assistant Defence Attaché for Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. The position gives an excellent opportunity to work in an international setting with
the military community, security organizations and the military defence industry of the Netherlands and the mentioned countries.

For securing a unified approach and review of all received applications, the candidates are requested to use the English version of the Euro format CV template, which can be downloaded at: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae/templates-instructions 
A recent picture is appreciated. Kindly note that your application will only be considered if: Your application has been sent before the deadline; Your application documents are fully in English either Dutch; Your application documents are in Euro format CV template in addition to a motivation letter. Furthermore:
Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and written test;The Embassy will not pay for your travel costs when invited for an interview.