Vacancy - Deputy Representative NBSO Melbourne, Australia

Unit/mission: Netherlands Business Support Office in Melbourne
Job level: scale 7
Number of working hours per week: 38

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Melbourne as a Deputy Representative. As a Deputy Representative, you will work closely with the Chief Representative in supporting Dutch SME’s who are looking to expand their business to Australia. We do this by providing reliable market information, answering specific trade questions, offering a local network and regularly organising events. We also work to actively recognise trade opportunities and possible investment opportunities, in Melbourne and across the state of Victoria. Our aim is to promote the Netherlands and its companies, ensuring any market introductions are researched and prepared to go as smoothly as possible. 

Please note: Applicants must have valid working rights in Australia (Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or temporary work visa).
 

About NBSO Melbourne

NBSO Melbourne is a trade office of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Together with Embassy in Canberra, the Consulate-General in Sydney and five  Honorary Consuls they comprise the economic network of the Netherlands in Australia. The NBSO team is made up of a Chief Representative and a Deputy Representative. 

The NBSO’s current key focus sectors include Circular Economy, Sports and Sustainable Urban Development and AgriFood, although we assist many companies in a variety of markets and across a broad range of technological fields.

NBSO Melbourne is part of a worldwide network of Netherlands Business Support Offices (NBSOs) administrated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). NBSOs have no diplomatic status and are dedicated exclusively to the promotion of Dutch trade and investment.


Tasks and Responsibility

The position of Deputy Representative is a supporting role to the Chief Representative, whose main task is strategic and business development. At the same time, independence is expected in supporting Dutch companies showing interest in the Australian market. The main tasks and responsibilities of the DR include: 

Individual Business Support

o    Advising Dutch companies in their orientation on the Australian market
o    Scheduling and follow-up after business meetings
o    Providing services such as general & tailored market information and business matchmaking
o    Making connections and introductions to relevant stakeholders

Operations

o    Processing the financial administration for the office
o    Registering and updating all NBSO activities in the database of the Dutch government, in travel systems and other relevant work documents
o    Preparing reports on projects managed by NBSO
o    Taking over the daily responsibility for the office during the absence of the CR.

Marketing and Communication

o    (Co-)organisation of promotional activities, informative export meetings, fairs and seminars, visit programs for trade missions, official delegations and business organisations 
o    Implementing the communication strategy and social media campaigns to increase the number of followers and reach the target audience
o    Manage the NBSO's social media channels (content, posts, management)

Sector Account

o    Building up knowledge and relations concerning priority sectors of NBSO Melbourne
o    Proactively collect and process relevant market information; identify export or investment opportunities for Dutch companies
o    Write sector relevant market reports and factsheets
 

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who attends to the following qualifications:

  • Higher education degree, preferably in the area of business administration or international trade.
  • Affiliation with international business, the Netherlands and its economy.
  • Working experience, preferably 3 to 4 years, in an Australian or international enterprise.
  • Knowledge of Australian tax- and import regulations
  • Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage.
  • Experienced in answering questions and processing information in an adequate manner.
  • Experienced in organising business events.
  • Experienced in using social media like LinkedIn. 
  • Applicants must have valid working rights in Australia (Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or temporary work visa)
  • Available from 1st January 2027

Preferred competencies

Eligible candidates possess or excel in these competencies:

Networking abilities, Result and Service orientation, Flexible, Pro-active, Planning & Organising, Collaboration, Management sensitivity and Integrity 

About the position

We offer a full-time appointment (38 hours/week) for an initial period of two years. You will be contracted by the Netherlands embassy in Canberra. The employment conditions that apply to local employees are set out in the Legal Status (Local Employees) Regulations 2020 (LSR 2020) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are worked out in the mission version for Australia.

Before the two year period expires, it will be determined whether the contract will be terminated or continued after that period, taking into account the employee's performance and the options for continuing the office.

Upon employment, you will be ranked in job level  scale 7.  A  salary scale comprises of 16 pay numbers.  The pay number assigned to the employee upon employment depends on the number of years of relevant experience.  After every 12 months, you may be awarded one additional pay number depending on your job performance in the preceding 12 months.  

The scale 7  gross baseline  salary is AUS 7680 per month; relevant experience will lead to a higher entry level.

Interested

Send your application, consisting of a  Curriculum Vitae and accompanying motivation letter to Dai Forterre at dai.forterre@minbuza.nl  (you may also use the email address for further inquiries). 
Application deadline:  20 September 2026. 
Incomplete applications will not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

More information on RVO and the NBSO network can be found at Netherlands Business Support Offices - NBSOs | RVO.nl