At the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York, a vacancy has arisen for the position of Policy Officer for Migration and Humanitarian Affairs. This position is classified in pay scale 9 (see attached job profile) and will be offered for a period of one year with a probationary period of 1 month.

For further information about the job content, please contact Mr. Machiel van Stralen by email at machiel-van.stralen@minbuza.nl.

Written applications (incl. CV) can be addressed to:
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations
Attn. mr. Erwin Sluijter (Head of Operational Management)
666 Third Avenue, 19th floor
New York, NY 10017
USA

Email: nyv-hr@minbuza.nl

Closing date for applications: September 15, 2024

Acceptance of position: in consultation, preferably as of October 15, 2024

Salary indication (based on New York wage table, scale 9, wage number 0, full-time): $ 9,611 per month.

* This vacancy is open to both internal candidates (local employees and partners of officials posted to a Mission in the US) and external candidates. If an external candidate and local candidate are equally qualified, the local candidate shall be given priority. Moreover, a local employee will be given priority over a partner of an official posted to a Mission in the US.

**Candidates resident in the US need a valid working permit: US citizens, green card holders or G visa holders. Non-resident candidates can obtain a G visa.

General tasks

• Within the Humanitarian and Institutional Affairs Cluster, the policy officer is primarily tasked with the themes of migration, humanitarian affairs and Rule of Law.
• The policy officer will represent the Kingdom of the Netherlands and follow and report on aforementioned themes at the United Nations and -in close cooperation with the relevant Departments in The Hague- help develop Dutch policy.
• When need arises the policy officer may be tasked with other themes as well as mission wide activities and projects.
• The policy officer is accountable to the Head of Department and works closely with other colleagues in the mission, notably the colleagues in the Political Affairs Department. All work is under the final responsibility of the Head of Mission.

Indicative tasks

• Providing policy advice on issues related to migration, humanitarian affairs, including UNWRA, and Rule of Law.
• Providing high quality information and analysis to the management team and the Ministry in The Hague.
• Organizing meetings and visits of incoming officials and preparing contributions for files and background notes.
• Participating in and reporting on relevant meetings.
• Contributing to building and maintaining the Mission’s internal and external network with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensuring good quality and timely information management.

Specific tasks and result areas

The Kingdom of Netherlands is an important humanitarian donor and a large part of resources for humanitarian aid are channeled through the UN system. Specific attention is paid to the UN's humanitarian efforts in conflict areas such as Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. Migration is also a priority for KNL; we aim to develop a just, humane and effective asylum and migration policy, by improving legal migration and reducing illegal migration flows as well as providing reception for migrants and refugees in their own regions. The UN and its agencies like UNHCR, OCHA and IOM have an important role to play in this regard. The policy officer will work on both files as well as on the intersection between them. The work will be guided by the government agreement, the Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation policy, and relevant letters to Parliament, including on migration and reception in the region.

The Policy Officer Migration and Humanitarian Affairs promotes the interests and position of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in relevant forums within the UN on the following topics:

• Humanitarian assistance through the UN system;
• Migration, refugees and IDPs;
• Rule of Law/SDG 16
• Peacebuilding Commission

Detailed description of tasks:

• Following instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant Ministries in The Hague (DSH, DMM and relevant regional directorates), the policy officer participates in various meetings and consultations in the UN context. These include UN briefings, the Humanitarian Dialogues, OCHA Donor Support Group, EU coordination meetings on humanitarian issues and migration, Justice Action Coalition/Pathfinders meetings and relevant Peacebuilding Commission meetings.  
• The policy officer advises and supports management and reports back to The Hague with regard to developments on the aforementioned files.
• The policy officer assists incoming (political and official) delegations, both from BZ, from other ministries and, where appropriate, from other parts of the Kingdom.
• The policy officer initiates (public diplomacy) events and meetings on the aforementioned files, where appropriate and in line with the Annual Plan,
• The policy officer works closely with the senior humanitarian affairs policy officer and other colleagues at the Mission. The work is conducted in close coordination with the wider humanitarian and migration network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including in The Hague, the Missions in Geneva and Rome and Embassies around the world.

Description of result areas:

• The policy officer ensures that the UN and its humanitarian and migration agencies operate in accordance with internationally agreed principles and in line with Dutch priorities.  
• The policy officer promotes further efforts by the UN to ensure safe and humane reception of migrants in their own region, and constructively follows developments on the UN’s efforts for durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs). 
• The policy officer participates in and reports on relevant meetings of and related to the UN-system, and advances Dutch positions according to instructions received in coordination with the EU, where appropriate. These include the relevant UN policy cycles such as annual UN resolution negotiations, , the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment and Protection of Civilians week, and other relevant events, as well as follow up on the Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees.
• The policy officer advises and supports the humanitarian and institutional affairs cluster in preparing- and reporting on meetings/incoming missions/policy on these and other issues.
• The policy officer will build and sustain a relevant, high quality network within the UN (including OCHA), other missions, the EU-Delegation, organisations within the Kingdom as well as private sector, think tanks and civil society organisations. The policy officer functions as a focal point in New York for IOM, UNRWA, UNHCR and the UN Migration Network.  
• Policy officer will ensure diligent archiving of relevant communications and documents, up-to-date and easily accessible contacts and accessibility of relevant information through agreed systems such as 24/7 Plaza.

Workplace environment

The Permanent Mission represents the interests of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the field of foreign and development policy with the United Nations in New York. The mission puts forward Dutch positions and mobilizes support for them among UN Member States, UN organisations and other relevant actors. Part of this is done through EU-coordination but other types of coalitions are also used. The mission also reports on relevant developments and contributes to policy development in The Hague.

The Permanent Mission has 34 staff, of whom 19 are expatriate or local policy officers. The workload is significant during the year, with additional workload around regular conferences, committee sessions and other meetings. The opening of the General Assembly in September as well as the Committee sessions in autumn represent the busiest times of the year, as well as the meeting of the High Level Forum on the SDGs in July.

Composition of the team

The policy officer will be part of the Department for Development, Humanitarian Affairs and Human Rights of the Permanent Mission. The department consists of a Head of Department, 6 expat policy officers and 4 local policy officers (including this position) as well as regular interns and trainees. The mission is led by the Management Team, including the Permanent Representative and the Deputy Permanent Representative. Other departments of the mission include the Political Affairs department, Military department and general affairs department.

Requirements

The ideal candidate possesses practical experience in working in a multilateral environment, is familiar with Dutch policy on international cooperation in general and on migration and humanitarian affairs specifically, works well within a tight-knit team, is able to meet short deadlines and has a great degree of flexibility. Knows how to defend policy priorities in a fast-paced and high-pressure (external) environment. Attention to detail and dedication to quality are essential.

Public policy, diplomatic and/or multilateral experience, preferably in UN context, are considered to be an asset, as well as experience with and/or knowledge of international humanitarian law, humanitarian aid, and migration policy. Specific knowledge of SDG 16 (Rule of law) is considered to be an asset.

In addition, the ideal candidate also possesses political sensitivity and a strong interest for global affairs. Excellent language skills in English are a requirement, while knowledge of the Dutch language is an asset, both written and orally. Working knowledge of one or multiple additional UN languages (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese) is also considered to be an asset.

Knowledge and skills

Academic level: Master’s Degree required, preferably in relevant fields such as international relations/law, international relations, humanitarian affairs or migration studies.
Experience: minimum 5 years relevant working experience

• Knowledge of humanitarian affairs/migration/rule of law
• Knowledge of and experience in the UN system
• Knowledge of relevant Dutch ministerial policy and legislative frameworks in the fields of migration and humanitarian affairs;
• Experienced in project management and event planning;
• Experienced in public policy making and policy implementation;
• Experienced in external/diplomatic representation;
• Is skilled at writing clear and concise reports and policy briefs;
• Ability to structure and process large quantities of information, and translate it into policy advice, plans and reports, and to assess the budgetary and policy consequences thereof;
• Experience with working in a team, has a flexible and collegial attitude

Please send your resume and letter of motiviation as well as any other relevant documentation to:

Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations
Attn. mr. Erwin Sluijter (Head of Operational Management)
666 Third Avenue, 19th floor
New York, NY 10017
USA

Email: nyv-hr@minbuza.nl

Closing date for applications: September 12, 2024

For further inquiries about the job content please contact: Mr Machiel van Stralen, First Secretary Humanitarian Affairs at Machiel-van.stralen@minbuza.nl