Policy Officer Responsible Business Conduct in Riyadh

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is looking for a full-time Policy Officer. Are you organized, proactive, and able to analyze problems? Do you thrive in a dynamic, international environment? Then this job may be something for you! Deadline for application: 6 March 2025.

Contact

Please send your cover letter and CV, addressed to Ms. Ester van Someren, Deputy Head of Mission to RIY-SECRETARIAT@minbuza.nl.
Applications without cover letter will not be taken into consideration.

Deadline for applications: Thursday, 6 March, 2025, close of business.

Job Profile

Mission: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riyadh
Job level: Scale 8 (SAR 12.800 - 19.200)
Number of hours: 37,5 hrs/week (Sunday to Thursday)
Contract period: 24 months (fixed)

Specific Information

The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, in force since July (2024), promotes responsible business conduct by requiring companies to address human rights and environmental risks in their operations and global value chains. It impacts both Saudi businesses with significant net turnover in the EU and EU companies active in Saudi Arabia, that must ensure compliance. Responsible business conduct (RBC) is a priority area for the Netherlands in the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates). Due to the regulatory changes at EU-level and the rapid developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is a growing need for a dedicated Policy Officer Responsible Business Conduct within the Embassy in Riyadh. He/she will be responsible for the development and integration of Dutch RBC policy into the daily work of the Embassy, in close partnership with the political and economic department. He/she has a high degree of autonomy and reports to the Deputy Head of Mission.

The Policy Officer RBC collects, identifies, analyses, interprets and reports on information and developments in the field of RBC in Saudi Arabia. He/she translates policy into actionable plans tailored to the Saudi Arabian context, aiming to strengthen cooperation with the Saudi authorities and contribute to the level playing field of (European) companies who want to do business in Saudi Arabia. While the focus of work will be predominantly in Saudi Arabia, best practices and lessons learned will be proactively shared with other Embassies in the Gulf region. Dutch companies and knowledge institutes who (want to) do business in the Gulf region will be provided with the appropriate level of advice on RBC (i.e. briefings to participants of meetings/incoming and outgoing (trade) missions).

The RBC Policy Officer understands the political and administrative situation in both The
Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region and has knowledge of the forces at work
and the interests at stake. He/she assesses the viability of actions/decisions, and recognizes
reputational/diplomatic/political risks on time. He/she has a good, relevant network (locally, in
the wider Gulf region and in the Netherlands), actively shares knowledge, information and
ideas, and is a visible presence both within the Embassy and outside.

Result areas

  • RBC policy plans are translated into implementation plans and projects, tailored to the local context, with effective evaluation tools to continuously improve the outcome of the Embassy’s work.
  • Enquiries (from both Dutch companies and colleagues at the various Embassies in the Gulf region) are handled and coordinated effectively and in good time.
  • High quality contributions to policy proposals, reports, presentations, analyses, overviews, etc. are submitted on time to keep the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly informed on developments in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region with regard to RBC.
  • Inside and outside the Embassy, the RBC Policy Officer has positioned himself/herself as an expert in RBC policy issues, has built up a network and is seen as a valued partner.
  • Dutch companies who are (planning to) do business in Saudi Arabia are well informed on EU and Dutch legislation on RBC.
  • The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riyadh and other Embassies in the Gulf region are informed on latest developments in the Netherlands with regard to RBC.
  • Strengthened bilateral (or trilateral) cooperation between the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia at governmental level on RBC-related topics.
  • Decisions are taken in accordance with the applicable internal and external frameworks/rules/agreements.
  • Meetings/incoming and outgoing missions/products/promotions are arranged in accordance with relevant time-, quality- and budget-based agreements.
  • Systems/records are kept in good order.

Tasks

The RBC Policy Officer:

  • Maintains good relationships with Dutch companies operating in the region and facilitates contacts between companies, both in consultation with and at the request of the missions.
  • Takes the initiative to inform Dutch companies as well as local authorities about EU directives on RBC, the forthcoming Dutch national legislation in which this will be transposed and the impact this might have on businesses in the region.
  • Reports on developments with regard to RBC in relation to Saudi Arabia’s giga projects and future international mega events and developing fact sheets and best practices for engagement, which could be shared with the broader Gulf-region.
  • Strengthens the level playing field with other EU-companies through joint advocacy activities with EU-embassies and the EU Chamber of Commerce on European RBC regulations.
  • Increases public and private sector awareness in Saudi Arabia about the fact that RBC has both economic and reputational advantages and is therefore an asset for attracting foreign direct investment.
  • Assesses the feasibility of setting up a KSA ecosystem in which both the public and private sector, as well as knowledge institutes can work closer together to advance the RBC agenda in a way that could subsequently be applied in other countries in the Gulf region.
  • Advises the Embassy’s management on incorporating RBC principles into the Embassy’s day-to- day operations, including socially responsible procurement of services.
  • Develops ideas for Public Diplomacy events to help promote RBC principles in Saudi Arabia for the public and private sector.

Due to the dynamic nature of RBC-developments and due to the fact that this is a newly created position, tasks and responsibilities related to the portfolio might be amended by the Deputy Head of Mission, in close consultation with the RBC Policy Officer.

Knowledge and skill requirements

  • Knowledge of the EU-regulations, policies and developments related to trade promotion in general and RBC in particular
  • Knowledge of the field of work of an Embassy and the ministry cycles (policy, budget, annual plan, etc.)
  • General understanding of communications, accessing and analyzing public information.
  • Ability to identify and analyze RBC-opportunities and -risks for the Dutch private sector, and come up with concrete policy proposals or advice to address them.
  • Skilled in dealing with external parties both orally and in writing
  • Skilled in analyzing questions and responding to them orally and in writing
  • Skilled in preparing/coordinating meetings/presentations for incoming and outgoing missions
  • 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 presenting policies, new ideas and concepts in different shapes (reports, project proposals, memo’s) and oversee their implementation.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Arabic and Dutch is an asset but
    not mandatory.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Competences

  • The staff member is customer-oriented.
  • The staff member can plan and organise.
  • The staff member shows external awareness.
  • The staff member is sensitive to the needs of management.
  • The staff member is able to network.
  • The staff member is creative.

Level of education

Cognitive and other work-related abilities: Higher Professional Level (HBO or equivalent)
Level of experience:  At least 5 years of relevant work experience

Work environment

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riyadh is a medium-sized Embassy with a team that consists of 26 employees (10 expatriates and 16 local employees). The team consists of the Head of Mission, the Deputy Head of Mission (also Head of the Economic Department) and the Operational Manager, seven policy officers, two Attachés and fourteen support staff of various nationalities. Collaboration, collegiality, diversity, professionalism, results and customer focus are central to our team.

The RBC Policy Officer will work under the management of the Deputy Head of Mission and is part of the Economic Affairs department. This department of the Netherlands Embassy is primarily concerned with identifying commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia for Dutch businesses for which the department provides businesses and knowledge institutions with appropriate support. Raising awareness on and promoting RBC is one of the department’s priorities.

The economic department consists of three other economic policy officers, all of whom work closely together. The economic department also works together with the Embassy’s agricultural department and with the regional business developer who is based in Abu Dhabi.