Vacancy in Toronto - Innovation, Technology & Science Advisor

News item | 24-05-2023 | 18:32

The Netherlands has a strong focus on Innovation, Technology & Science and ranks in the top 5 of the global competitiveness index. To ensure its global position as an innovation leader and to strengthen its global competitiveness, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy established a global Netherlands Innovation Network (NIN) based in Dutch embassies and consulates in 16 countries world-wide.

The Netherlands Innovation Network stimulates international cooperation between companies, research institutes and public authorities in the fields of innovation, technology and science. The network's activities help implement the international knowledge and innovation agenda of the Dutch government. We address national and global challenges, aiming to further develop key enabling technologies through international cooperation and a worldwide network of offices.

We develop international cooperation by:
- providing knowledge and information on the latest innovation, technology and science developments around the world;
- connecting to potential partners abroad;
- organizing innovation missions, seminars, workshops and matchmaking events abroad;
- identifying funding mechanisms for bi- and multilateral cooperation.

The Netherlands Innovation Network in North America connects companies, research institutes and public authorities from the Netherlands with relevant innovation, technology and science organizations in the US and Canada. NIN collaborates closely with our sister organization the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). Like NIN, the NFIA is focused on strengthening the Netherlands ecosystem although the NFIA relies more on promoting investment into the Netherlands to accomplish this mission.

Job description
As Innovation, Science & Technology Advisor you will be part of the NIN team North America and based at the Dutch Consulate General in Toronto. The team is composed of 13 colleagues divided over offices in Washington (6 people), San Francisco (3), Boston (3) and Toronto (1) and covers the US and Canada. The position in Toronto is the team’s latest expansion. The decision to expand the NIN network to Toronto is driven by the strong interest and growth in the bilateral science and technology cooperation over the last years.

You will be responsible for covering developments in the priority areas for bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and Canada, in particular the fields of (integrated) Photonics, Quantum technologies, Ag-Tech, Climate tech (hydrogen) and sustainable aviation. You will report on how the Canadian government shapes its policies in these areas and identifies the latest relevant developments in industry and in science. You identify and facilitate opportunities for cooperation; you initiate and facilitate missions, events and visits and are capable of positioning the qualities of The Netherlands in Canada. You will investigate the ways in which Canada deals with commercialization and public-private partnerships.

You will work with all departments of the diplomatic network in Canada. There will be an emphasis on the collaboration with the NFIA as both our organizations have a similar mission, overlapping networks and an active interest in promoting international industrial R&D collaboration. In the course of your work you will also maintain regular contact and work closely together with the Embassy in Ottawa and the Consulate General in Vancouver.

In your role you will be:

• Investigating and reporting on relevant policy developments and technological sectors and trends, as well as identifying opportunities for matchmaking; focus in this position will be on (integrated) Photonics, Quantum technologies, Ag-Tech, climate tech (hydrogen) and sustainable aviation;
• Responsible for maintaining and expanding the I&S&T relationships between the Netherlands and Canada;
• Contributing to NIN’s and NFIA’s strategy and the execution of activities related to it;
• Reporting back to the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy, the Attaché home base and relevant stake holders in the Ministries;
• Identifying and assessing potential partners and areas for R&D and I&S&T collaboration both Canada and the Netherlands and facilitating these;
• Responding to enquiries of both Dutch and Canadian parties with regards to the I&S&T developments & trends and policy;
• Networking in both the Dutch and Canadian industry, government and research communities;
• Preparing sector reports on relevant I&S&T domains in the Canada;
• Reporting on policy developments in the Canada related to I&S&T, R&D and relevant economic sectors;
• Reporting on relevant developments in the field of science and R&D in Canada;
• Supporting and organizing programs for incoming Dutch delegations (Government, Industry, Universities and Research Institutes);
• Supporting in organizing events in Canada related to I&S&T;

Required Skills and Expertise

• An evident interest in Innovation, technology and R&D, preferably 5 – 7 years of relevant work experience in an international I&S&T environment is required; with a focus on high tech systems & materials, and digitization;
• Academic Master’s degree, preferably in a relevant technical domain or innovation studies
• Fluent in English (reading, writing and verbal)
• Excellent writing skills
• Skilled communicator and presenter
• Being able to translate abstract requirements and demands into concrete proposals
• A relevant network in the industry and research community in Canada; a similar network in the Netherlands would be an asset
• An understanding of the Dutch government structure and a relevant network
• An understanding of the Dutch Innovation and S&T policies
• A general understanding of Research & Development programs and projects
• A general understanding of Science & Technology policy and government structures
• A general understanding of the research community
• Being familiar with relevant I&S&T sector(s) in the Canada is a plus.
• Pro-active, service oriented, flexible and being able to deal with both Canadian and Dutch clients
• Candidate should be comfortable to work and communicate with people of all levels of seniority (Canada & Netherlands) and a should be an open-minded team player
• A good working knowledge of Dutch would be an asset.
• A good working knowledge of French would be an asset. 

We offer

We offer a local contract and a competitive salary in a dynamic, challenging and international environment with good secondary conditions. Salary indication: starting from CAD 5,718 gross per month. The initial duration of the contract is one year, with the possibility to extend it.

NB: A valid residence/work permit in Canada is a requirement.

The Government of the Netherlands pursues an active diversity policy and is committed to an inclusive organization. We do this by optimally deploying and utilizing people's differences. When composing teams and recruiting new talent, we strive for diversity in age, gender, culture, background, orientation, knowledge and competences.

We look to fulfil this position as soon as possible.

For enquiries please contact:
For more information about the content of this position, please contact Sanne Echten (sanne.echten@minbuza.nl) or Taake Manning (taake.manning@minbuza.nl).

To apply for this position, please send a motivation letter (in English) with your CV and any references to Taake Manning (taake.manning@minbuza.nl) stating “Vacancy Advisor Innovation Technology and Science - CG Toronto”.
The application deadline is Friday, June 16th 2023.