Role: Economic, Trade and Investment Officer
Organisation: Netherlands Embassy in Skopje
Formation number: 63383349
Level of position: 08
Work week: 40 hours
Duration of contract: A fixed-term contract for one year
(with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 5 years)
Starting Date: 15 March 2021
GENERAL
The main role of the Economic, Trade and Investment Officer is to facilitate and enhance trade relations between the Netherlands and North Macedonia and in Kosovo.
The Economic, Trade and Investment Officer reports on broader (macro)economic developments in North Macedonia and in Kosovo.
The Economic, Trade and Investment Officer is based at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Skopje and is also part of the Embassy-team in Pristina. He/she travels regularly to Kosovo.
DUTIES AND RESULT AREAS
Description of duties:
- Assist Dutch companies in doing business in North Macedonia and in Kosovo, including responding to trade questions and providing support to Dutch companies in finding local partners.
- Is the local counterpart for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO) and in this capacity manages the delegated funds available to support Private Sector Development in Kosovo.
- Develop and maintain a large and high-impact network within the business community and government agencies in the Netherlands, North Macedonia and in Kosovo.
- Organize PR activities to promote Dutch business, work on Holland Branding (trade fairs, seminars, social media campaigns etc.), assist trade missions.
- Monitor and research the business climate in North Macedonia and in Kosovo. Report on developments in specific economic sectors relevant for Dutch companies.
- Report on broader (macro)economic developments and government policies in North Macedonia and Kosovo.
Description of result areas:
- Working as one (economic) team with Embassy staff in North Macedonia and in Kosovo.
- Providing the economic input to the annual plan of the Embassies in Skopje and in Pristina and developing together with Deputy Heads of Mission in Skopje and Pristina, on the basis of the annual plan, a work plan that will include the priorities and planned activities.
- Identifying potential partnerships between Dutch companies and companies in North Macedonia and Kosovo.
- In depth knowledge of resources, rules and regulations and contacts needed to help Dutch companies enter or expand into the local market.
- Business development, including cultivating a network of professionals and following (macro)economic news and trends, for assigned sectors of the economy.
- Cooperation with business associations, chambers of commerce, government agencies etc to plan and oversee business events and trade missions.
- Market overviews on various sectors of local business and industry.
Regular (macro)economic reports.
- Management of budget for trade promotion activities.
- Identifying and assessment, together with RVO in the Hague and the Embassy in Pristina of potential interesting Private Sector Development projects in Kosovo.
JOB ENVIRONMENT
The Embassy of the Netherlands in Skopje has 15 employees: 3 diplomats and 12 local staff members. The Economic, Trade and Investment Officer is a member of the policy team that consists of six local staff members and is headed by the (deputy) Ambassador. Within the policy team, close collaboration between all staff members is a necessity in order to fulfil the core tasks of the Embassy. The Economic, Trade and Investment Officer also works closely with colleagues at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Pristina and other Western Balkan countries.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Brief description of the type of employee required:
The Economic, Trade and Investment Officer is a university graduate with earlier relevant working experience in the private or public sector. He/she has a customer oriented attitude and an in depth knowledge of the (macro)economic and business environment in North Macedonia, Kosovo and the wider Western Balkan region. He/she has excellent communication, writing and analytical skills and speaks English, Macedonian and preferably also Albanian. Planning and organizing are developed skills, while thinking outside the box enables him/her to work independently and pro-actively under the guidance of the deputy Ambassador in North Macedonia (and in Kosovo). He/she has a flexible attitude, is a team player and has a good sense of humour. He/she is willing to travel regularly to and in Kosovo.
Knowledge and areas of experience:
- Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in (macro)economics, business studies or related academic fields.
- At least three years of work experience in the field of trade and business promotion.
- Knowledge of the local business environment and related government regulations.
- Familiarity with the Netherlands, the Dutch economy and business culture.
- Networker and team player.
- Ability to work independently with a pro-active attitude.
- Strong communication skills, sense of humour, flexibility.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Excellent computer and information technology skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Macedonian.
- Knowledge of Albanian and Dutch is a plus.
- Project management experience is a plus.
Competences:
- Initiative
- Client orientation
- Ability to work with others
- Ability to plan and organize
- Ability to network
- Ability to think analytically
- Writing skills
APPLICATION
Application deadline
14 February 2021
How to apply
Please submit your application letter in English including resume (CV) and two references by email:
[email protected].
For your CV, please use the following template: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/editors/en/cv/compose. A recent picture is appreciated.
Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and a written test.
The Embassy will not pay for travel costs when invited for an interview.
For more information please contact Deputy Head of Mission Robert Dekker via [email protected].