Policy Officer Environment and Sustainable Development

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York has a fulltime vacancy (40 hours per week) for a Policy Officer Environment and Sustainable Development.
This job will be offered at pay scale 9 for a fixed term of two years, with a probationary period of two months (see also enclosed job description - English version only).

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Kavish Bisseswar: kavish.bisseswar@minbuza.nl

Application letters with resume, both in English, should be addressed to:

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York
Attn: Kavish Bisseswar

and be submitted via email to: NYV-HR@minbuza.nl

Closing date for applications: 15 March 2024

Starting date: 15 April 2024,

Indicative monthly gross salary: $ 9.029 gross (pay scale 9, step 0)

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 an internal candidate and an external candidate are equally qualified, the internal candidate shall be given priority.

**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 Characteristics

- Within the Sustainable Development Cluster, the policy officer is primarily tasked with the themes of water, including the follow-up of the 2023 UN Water Conference, Biodiversity, Disaster Risk Reduction, Oceans, Financing for Development and Connectivity.

- The Policy officer will represent the Kingdom of the Netherlands and follow and report on themes at the United Nations and -in close cooperation with the relevant Departments in The Hague- help develop the 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 but works closely with several colleagues in the Department and the other departments in the mission, notably the colleagues in the Sustainable Development cluster. All work under the final responsibility of the Head of Mission.

Indicative Tasks

- Providing policy advice on water, including the follow-up of the 2023 UN Water Conference, Biodiversity, Disaster Risk Reduction, Oceans, Financing for Development, Bridgetown and Connectivity / Global Gateway.

- Providing high quality information and analysis to the Mission management and the Ministry in The Hague

- Organizing meetings and visits 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

- Policy officer ensures and if necessary initiates coordination of the position of the Kingdom on the UN 2023 Water Conference follow-up between relevant departments internally, in capital, within the Kingdom, and where relevant with external stakeholders, and identifies opportunities to advance Dutch policy priorities;

- Policy officer works within the Sustainable Development Cluster on issues related to water as well as Biodiversity, Disaster Risk Reduction, Oceans, Financing for Development, Bridgetown and Connectivity including EU Global Gateway;

- Policy officer advises and supports the Sustainable Development Cluster and Mission management on preparing- and reporting on meetings/incoming missions/policy on these and other issues.

- Policy officer participates in and reports on relevant meetings, and advances Dutch positions according to instructions received or agreed;

- Policy officer will build and sustain a relevant, high quality network within the UN, other missions, the EU-Delegation, organizations within the Kingdom as well as private sector, think tanks and civil society organizations;

- 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.

- Policy officer will work with cluster on Dutch participation, policy and preparation of relevant meetings and subcommittees of the Second Committee and ECOSOC.

- Policy officer cooperates closely with the Sustainable Development Cluster colleagues to ensure policy coherence with regard to other SDGs.

Description of specific results areas:

- Successful follow-up of UN 2023 Water Conference and anchoring of Water in UN work;

- Internal and external stakeholders are informed in a timely and comprehensive fashion about developments on Dutch policy priorities on Water, Environment and Sustainable Development;

- The Dutch policy priorities in the field of water, Biodiversity, Disaster Risk Reduction, Oceans, Financing for Development Bridgetown and Connectivity / Global Gateway; are adequately reflected in relevant meetings.

- Water and other abovementioned cross cutting themes are where relevant mainstreamed within the work of the mission

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 water and sustainable development 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 climate and environment-related SDGs, such as food security, energy and climate change. Specific knowledge of water-related issues is desirable.

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 a strong 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 & Skills

Academic level: Master’s Degree required, preferably in relevant fields such as international relations, development cooperation, economics, climate/environment studies or water management;

Experience: minimum 5 years relevant working experience

- Knowledge of climate/environment/water-related issues;

- Knowledge of development financing;

- Knowledge of the UN system;

- Knowledge of relevant Dutch ministerial policy and legislative frameworks;

- 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.

Contacts

- With other policy officers and managers within the Mission related to policy, processes, division of labor and way of working;

- With representatives of departments in capital including from other ministries, related to policy development and implementation, and coordination;

- With the relevant actors within the UN system, such as UN DESA, UN Water, other UN agencies and the UN Secretariat.

- With other member states.

- With external contacts related to the policy positions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Other information

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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $9,029.00 per month

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

• No travel

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• relevant working: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person