The Consulate General (CG) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Atlanta has a fulltime (40 hours per week) vacancy for Senior Economic Policy Officer. The job is being offered at pay scale 9 for a fixed term 3 months (August 1st 2024 – November 1st 2024).

Possessing a thorough understanding of entrepreneurship, the ins and outs of doing business internationally and a strong network in the Netherlands and United States, the candidate will work as one of the principle advisors to the Consul General and his deputy, with responsibility for the development, promotion and implementation of Dutch business, economic policy & development and innovation in the Southeast United States. Detailed information can be found in the attached job profile.

The Netherlands Consulate General in Atlanta supports Dutch companies and knowledge institutions in the US market, particularly focused on helping small-and-medium-sized Dutch enterprises and knowledge institutions to grow and strengthen their business and cooperation in the Southeast. The CG provides market information, identifies opportunities and connects interested parties in the public and private sector in key industries as smart cities, sustainable/smart mobility (automotive and cycling), infrastructure and logistics (port and airport), Life sciences and Health (including Global Health with CDC), Agtech and proactive on other promising and for the Netherlands relevant innovative industries as fintech, cyber security and water management.

The CG has a small team of highly motivated staff. Each staff member functions with a large degree of independence, with collective responsibility for goals, activities and results. Reporting lines are short and the atmosphere is informal.

The Consulate Economic Work Plan, as part of US network annual economic work plan, serves as a guiding document. The work plan is a dynamic document, goal and result driven, focused on output and outcome. Team members will work on specific areas in accordance with the work plan, as well as personal strengths, experience, and interest. The division of tasks is not static and may vary in accordance to work loads, and at the discretion of the Consul General.

The implementation of the work plan contributes to the success of the whole Consulate General and supports a seamless collaboration between the Economic Department (EA), the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), network (innovation) Attaches, the embassy economic department and the economic departments of Consulates General in the US network. We work as “One Team”.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Jacob (Jaap) Veerman
Consul General
Consulate General of the Netherlands in Atlanta
Jaap.veerman@minbuza.nl +1 404 309 2448

Or

Mr. Abullahi Hashi
Deputy Consul General
Consulate General of the Netherlands in Atlanta
Abdullahi.hashi@minbuza.nl   +1 404 820 2144
 

Application letters with resume, both in English, should be submitted to:
ATL@minbuza.nl

Closing date for applications: July 12th , 2024

Starting date: as soon as possible

Indicative monthly gross salary: $ 7,174.00 gross (pay scale 9, step 0), depending on education and experience (no rights can be derived from this indication). 401K Plan is offered. Health/Dental/Vision is provided on a 72%-28% Employer-Employee basis.

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

** As per US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employers in the US are required to ensure that all employees have the legal right to work in the US. Under US State Department requirements, the embassy and our consulates may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders, visa holders with and Employment Authorization Document or “A” visa holders. There is a max term for A2 visa holders of 5 years, the Netherlands Embassy / Consulate General cannot sponsor any work permits for families.

General features of the job

• The economic policy officer is primarily responsible for (co)developing and implementing the Consulate’s (economic) policy and for drafting and implementing project plans, proposals and activities for trade promotion activities in order to increase Dutch business in the Southeast US market in priority sectors.
• The economic policy officer reports to the Consul General as head of the economic section.
• 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.
• The economic policy officer gathers and analyses (economic) data, and sees to existing policy being translated into proposals for specific action by the Consulate General, in close collaboration with the Embassy in Washington, other Netherlands Consulates General, NFIA, NBSO and (innovation) Attaches in the Dutch US network.

Description of duties, but not limited to:

• Develop and contribute to the development of business support formats for knowledge intensive, innovative and sustainable Dutch businesses on the Southeast US (mostly small and medium sized companies;
• Contribute to the building of an effective network of relevant US companies, knowledge institutions, and local government institutions within the resort, in order to facilitate Dutch business and B2B or B2G contacts, and to identify and advise on business opportunities for specific Dutch companies;
• Actively source and maintain a network of relevant partners, both in the Southeast and in the Netherlands;
• Participate in (and contribute to) and actively build a network of relevant partners in key industries as smart cities, sustainable/smart mobility (automotive and cycling), infrastructure and logistics (port and airport), Life sciences and Health (including Global Health with CDC), Agtech and proactive on other promising and for the Netherlands relevant innovative industries as fintech, cyber security and water management.
• Contribute to (network-wide) “horizontal topics”, such as Diversity & Inclusion (race relations), Climate and Women’s leadership;
• Promote and execute tangible activities (missions, explorations, publications, etc.) in order to transform opportunities and possibilities into real trade and investment transactions
• Partake, contribute and/or organizing of events (webinars, missions, networking events, trips etc.);
• Oversee and administer (24/7, Sophia and Achilles) effective registration of projects, the Consulate’s (financial) obligations and economic team’s interaction with the private sector and knowledge institutions (measuring results).

Description of result areas and duties:

• Develop efficient and innovative soft landing formats to support Dutch companies in the Southeast of the US. Focus on sustainable, innovative small and medium-sized Dutch businesses;
• Contribute to the conclusion of successful business projects in the contex of Publc Private partnerships, in particular within the Partners for International Business (PIB) and NL-Works frameworks;
• Contribute to accessible business networks in all relevant industries;
• Promote effective network of relevant business partners, service providers, political leaders/elected officials, non-profits, universities etc.;
• Height the active use of the network to obtain concrete results and to increase of Dutch business in the US market in the relevant business sectors;
• Oversee the business partner scans, matchmaking, trade requests and other enquiries by Dutch companies;
• Support the CG and Deputy CG in the preparation and implementation of missions, official and business visits in the resort;
• Visiting companies and relevant other organizations in the US and in the Netherlands;
• Support Dutch participants in trade fairs within the resort and visits to fairs, exhibitions, conventions etc.;
• Support CG in organizing activities and events such as roundtables and receptions;
• Responsible for the proper use of the BPA-budget available for the mission;
• Responsible for responding to general economic enquires;
• Support solid client relationship/project management and reporting (administration) thereof;
• Responsible for the registration of activities and contacts within your portfolio in the Achilles system, 24/7, CRM and Sophia;
• Responsible for coaching of trainees and interns;
• Support the Honorary Consul and the Netherlands American Foundation (NAF) and Netherlands American Chamber of Commerce Southeast (NACCSA).

Working environment

The Consulate General in Atlanta is the latest Netherlands Government hub for Dutch businesses to the Southeast US and is part of the wider Diplomatic network of the Netherlands in the USA. The Consulate General is an open, informal and accessible office in midtown Atlanta. The CG is active in the field of economic diplomacy (trade, Dutch investment into the Southeast, sustainable/innovation/technology/research-cooperation). The Economic Affairs team main responsibility is trade promotion of sustainable and innovative concepts to the benefit of the Dutch business sectors in the Southeast USA with a focus on in key industries as smart cities, sustainable/smart mobility (automotive and cycling), infrastructure and logistics (port and airport), Life sciences and Health (including Global Health with CDC), Agtech and proactive on other promising and for the Netherlands relevant innovative industries as fintech and water management.

The team consists of five professionals, including the Consul General, and works in close collaboration with the other team of the Consulate General, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA).

In the fast growing economy of Atlanta, more and more proactive networks are being set up to facilitate successful landings of foreign businesses and foster entrepreneurship. With the launch of the newest Dutch diplomatic platform, the Netherlands Government wants to be part of the Georgia experience and support Dutch companies and knowledge institutions in the exploration and development of the US-market in the context of Business-to-Business-, Business-to-Government- Knowledge-to-Knowledge-, and ‘Government-to-Government’-support.

The Consulate General currently employs 10 staff members in total, occasionally supplemented with trainees.

The Netherlands Consulate in Atlanta serves Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Knowledge and areas of experience:

• Bachelor or Master Degree in Economics, Business Administration or other relevant fields;
• Interest to develop knowledge of Dutch business and economy;
• Experience with project management and web based development;
• Strong writing and analytical capabilities;
• Excellent verbal communications skills with the ability to conduct presentations for larger and diverse audiences in English;
• Affinity with sustainable, innovative and tech related industries, preferably in one of the focus sectors of the Consulate General.
• Affinity with the Netherlands, or an interest to develop knowledge of Dutch businesses and the economy of the Netherlands.
• Affinity with business area Atlanta

 This position requires that you will be able to work with substantial autonomy, pro-active and work collaboratively with other team members across disciplines. You also must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with demanding business clients, high standards and heavy workload. The economic policy officer is expected to have a high level of independence to manage multiple ongoing issues and have an understanding of knowledge intensive matters with a limited amount of supervision and excellent follow up. The position also requires 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.

Knowledge and skills

Level of education: university level
Level of experience:

• Knowledge of and experience with the business community and government environment of the Southeast of the US.
• Understanding of, and feeling for, the (diplomatic) Government context in which the Consulate General operates in the Southeast of the US.
• Understanding of social and specialized developments in relation to the business area or areas in which the Consulate General operates.
• Knowledge of general training methods and techniques for drawing up project plans (goal and result driven with focus on output and outcome) and performing evaluations, and skill in using them.
• Understanding of relevant ministerial frameworks and legislation in the policy area concerned.
• Skill in translating insights and information into advice, plans and reports and in assessing their policy and financial implications;
• Fluent English speaker (both spoken and written).

The candidate should possess the following competences:

• External focus
• Initiative
• Networking
• Planning & Organization
• Result Oriented
• Co-operation

Contacts

• With co-workers on effective assistance to the Dutch private sector and knowledge institutions;
• With co-workers on business developments in several relevant industries and experiences with business support programs, and policy;
• With management and co-workers on the progress of policy development and  procedures, including administration and archiving issues;
• With relevant American and Dutch business communities and Governments;
• With representatives of other EU countries in the resort;
• With colleagues at the Embassy in Washington and at other Dutch Consulates General, the relevant Ministries in The Hague, Top Sectors and Regional Development Agencies etc.

Additional comments

The Netherlands Government celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to foster an inclusive environment within its organization. Individuals interested in advancing these diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply.