Job profile

BASIC DETAILS

Establishment post no.: TBD

Job title: Senior Economic Policy Officer

Mission: Chicago

Job level: scale 9

Number of hours per week: 40

A. SPECIFIC INFORMATION

1. Promotion of exports from the Netherlands to the area of responsibility of CG Chicago and economic cooperation.

Duties:

Help develop and successfully implement the general Dutch economic policy agenda in the (Midwest of the) US, as well as the specific economic work plan of the Consulate General. This work plan is focused on several priority areas for Dutch businesses: smart mobility (automotive and cycling), advanced manufacturing, life sciences and health (particularly e-health and medical devices), agriculture and food, water tech, Start- and Scale Ups and Urban Design. Team members will work on specific areas in accordance with the work plan, as well as according to personal strengths, experience, and interest. The division of tasks is not static and may change in accordance with workloads, personal preferences, and at the discretion of the (deputy) Consul General.

In the area(s) of primary responsibility, the senior policy officer will carry out the following duties:

• Identify key hubs, organizations, and companies within the priority sector and the region to pinpoint concrete opportunities for Dutch companies, developing strategies and activities to realize those opportunities in close cooperation with relevant Dutch parties like RVO, government institutions, sectoral organizations, regional development organizations, knowledge institutions, companies.

• Build the networks, relationships, and expertise needed to raise awareness, build connections, and create opportunities for NL-US trade.

• Serve as a sector expert and network hub connecting Dutch and American businesses, organizations, and individuals in the focus sectors.

• To develop policies – in close cooperation with relevant Dutch parties like RVO, government institutions, sectoral organizations, regional development organizations, knowledge institutions, companies, etc. – to enhance the opportunities for The Netherlands in the priority area.

• Promote and execute concrete activities (missions, explorations, publications, etc.) to transform opportunities and possibilities into real trade and investment transactions
   

n the area(s) of secondary / back-up responsibility, the senior policy officer will carry out the following duties:

• To assist and participate in policy development and implementation in these areas.

• To replace the CG, the Deputy CG, or another policy officer in these areas wherever and whenever necessary.

• To support in developing relevant networks and expertise.

The area of primary responsibility for this function will depend on the specific experiences and qualities of the candidate. However, experience with smart mobility is preferred. The new policy officer will also have a responsibility in general business support (see under 2.) Other topics will depend on the candidate’s experience, network, and preferences.

2. Excellent practical support to Dutch companies that are active in the jurisdiction or desire to become active.

Duties:

• Responsible for business partner scans, matchmaking, trade requests and other enquiries by Dutch companies.

• Responsible for the proper use of the BPA-budget available for the mission.

• Support Dutch participants in trade fairs within the jurisdiction.

• Support the CG and Deputy CG in the preparation and implementation of missions, official and business visits in the jurisdiction.

• Support CG in organizing activities and events such as roundtables and receptions.

• Responsible for responding to general economic enquiries.

• Responsible for the registration of activities and contacts within your portfolio in the Achilles system, 24/7 Plaza, CRM and Sophia.

 

3. A strong and well-functioning network of relations, both within the jurisdiction and in The Netherlands, that will facilitate and enable the achievement of economic and trade objectives.

Duties:

• To develop and continuously expand a functional network, both within the priority areas and among institutional partners (federal, state, city, science, etc.).

• Visiting companies and relevant other organizations in the US and in The Netherlands.

• Regular visits to fairs, exhibitions, conventions, etc.

• Responsible for the general business contacts like trade organizations and service providers.

• The active use of the network to obtain concrete results.

 

4. To contribute to the general functioning of the CG Chicago.

As a senior local employee, the policy officer has a special role within the CG:

• Coaching of trainees and interns.

• Coaching and supporting the economic work of the honorary consuls in the jurisdiction.

C. WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Consulate General in Chicago is a small mission representing the Netherlands in the Midwest with 3 expatriate and 9 local employees; three senior policy officers and an intern currently support the CG and the Deputy CG in the economic team. The economic team cooperates with the four employees of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency. Two officers oversee consular and general affairs.

The geographic jurisdiction of the mission extends to the 13 states of the Midwest. In this jurisdiction the CG is supported by 6 honorary consuls. The mission is part of a broader network in the US, consisting of the embassy in Washington DC, 5 CGs in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta as well as Netherlands Business Support Offices (NBSO) in Houston, L.A., and Phoenix.

The role of the CG is primarily focused on economic diplomacy, trade, and investment promotion. Consular support to Dutch citizens, cultural and political as well as public diplomacy work are also relevant tasks for the CG.

The office is centrally located on the 29th floor of 303 East Wacker in downtown Chicago and can easily be reached by public transportation.

Candidates residing in the US need a valid working permit –US citizens, green card holders or A/G visa holders-. Non-resident candidates can obtain an A-2 visa. This visa will permit the candidate to work for a maximum of 5 years in the USA and is linked to the assignment in the CG. The partner or other family of the A-2 visa holder (if any) will not be able to obtain a work permit in the USA.

D. JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and areas of experience

• Academic level (MSc, MBA or similar) relevant to the economic activities of the mission.

• At least 5 years working experience, preferably in public and private sector.

• Fluency in English and preferably Dutch.

• A thorough knowledge of the American market (with a focus on the Midwest) and of the opportunities that the market offers for Netherlands’ business.

• Knowledge of the American political and economic institutional environment.

• Affinity with the priority areas defined by the mission, in particular with Smart Mobility and the Creative Industry.

• Preferably knowledge of the Dutch business ecosystem, economy, market, and institutions.

• Preferably, experience with economic and trade work in a diplomatic mission.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including but not limited to PowerPoint and Access is required.

This position requires that you will be able to work with substantial autonomy and work collaboratively with other team members across disciplines. The CG is looking for a creative, pragmatic, and result oriented person with a strong pro-active attitude. You are a team player and value a positive team spirit. You take initiatives to actively advance the objectives of the CG in your area of responsibility. The position requires solid written and verbal communication skills and the ability to use these skills for analytical and policy-oriented reporting. The position also requires the demonstrated ability to solve business problems quickly and creatively. You are hands-on and with a positive attitude and know how to get people on board. You understand entrepreneurs and know how to speak their language and you have a good understanding of the role of the government. You are a networker and easy in connecting people. You have strong analytical skills and a good sense for spotting opportunities and translating them into concrete actions. You are familiar with the use of social media, and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends; some travel required.

Specific competences

• Analytical skills

• Flexibility

• Initiative

• Integrity

• Creativity

• Vision

• Networking

• Organizational sensitivity

• Result oriented.

• Cooperation

E. FRAMEWORK

1. The policy officer is primarily responsible for helping to develop policy and for drawing up project plans for the trade and economic cooperation.

2. The policy officer is accountable to the Consul General / the Deputy Consul General for effectively helping to develop policy, drawing up, and amending project plans.

1. Ministerial policy guidelines for Consulates General and for Economic Diplomacy, as well as available funding, are of importance when making proposals to improve policy and potential project plans.

2. The economic policy officer takes decisions about the quality of the analysis of collected data and the translation of overall ministerial policy frameworks into proposals for specific action by the Consulate General and Embassy.

F. CONTACTS

1. With co-workers on business developments in the priority areas, experiences with business support programs, and policy.

2. With the management and co-workers on the progress of policy development and procedures, including administration and archiving issues.

3. With the relevant American and Dutch business communities and Governments.

4. With representatives of other EU countries in the resort.

5. With colleagues at the Embassy in Washington and at other Dutch Consulates General and NBSO, and at the relevant Ministries in The Hague.

For more information, you can contact Deputy Consul General Jeroen Beekman 312-504-8472