Vacancy at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Santiago de Chile, Chili: Agricultural Advisor (TEMPORARY!) 

Are you the networker and policy advisor in agrifood & nature our embassy needs? Would you like to promote ideas and solutions from The Netherlands in the Chilean context? Then we may be looking for you!

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chile is seeking an Agricultural Advisor (37,5 hrs per week) with demonstrated knowledge of the (Chilean) agricultural sector. Someone with a vision on the sector, the analytic skills to sharply map the opportunities for Dutch agribusiness and knowledge institutions, and the ability to convert these into action. She/he has an excellent capability to build, extend and maintain a network of useful contacts within government, NGO’s, knowledge institutions and the business community and is easily relatable. This is a temporary position, to replace our current Agricultural Advisor who will be enjoying her maternity leave. 

We are looking for a proactive, practical, result-oriented person, and an outstanding team player. You are able to combine teamwork within an open and hands-on internal working environment with an external, more formal, hierarchical environment and role. Your external awareness, cultural sensitivity and communication skills are very well developed. 

The Advisor we seek will be part of the Cono Sur agricultural office, headed by the agricultural counselor, based in Buenos Aires. However, the advisor will be based at the Embassy in Santiago de Chili and will also form part of the economic cluster of the embassy there. Both organizations work as teams with direct, non-hierarchical, open, responsible, and professional internal relations and the highest level of integrity. 

GENERAL CONTEXT 

• The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands maintains and promotes the bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Chile, represents The Dutch government in Chile and assists Dutch citizens in Chile when needed. 
• Positioning Dutch solutions & expertise is a key task. The Dutch economic presence in Chile is characterized by innovation, sustainability and the cooperation between public, private and research sectors. 
• Priority sectors for the economic cluster at the Embassy are agriculture & food, water, green hydrogen and critical raw materials. Circular agriculture, sustainable production, water for agriculture and nature & biodiversity/forests are priority themes for the agricultural team. 

TASKS AND RESULT AREAS 

• The Agricultural Advisor is responsible for the analysis, development and implementation of policies, programs and projects in the agrifood & nature sectors, and fosters interlinkages with other priority areas (e.g. water, circular economy, climate adaptation). 
• Analyze, develop and share knowledge of the agrifood sector in Chili as well the Netherlands, aimed at bilateral cooperation, policy development and trade promotion. 
• Build and maintain a Chilean and Dutch network of relevant government, knowledge and non-governmental organizations in order to gather strategic information, learn about their needs, and identify & implement opportunities for collaboration. 
• Identify, assess and promote agrifood & nature opportunities in Chile for Dutch actors. 
• Promote the Netherlands as expert in the field of sustainable solutions in agriculture. 
• Respond independently to complex trade related questions and take care of registration in the global business database. Seek communication with relevant partners and solutions for trade issues. 
• Organize and support business events (seminars, missions, matchmaking events, etc.) and assist in the preparation of formal visits. 
• Work independently, initiate activities within a broader task assignment and be accountable. 
• Be able to handle complex themes, in both a broad and in-depth area of expertise.
• Act proactively and independently to resolve bottlenecks, taking into account differences in culture and/or complex regulations, and search for appropriate measures.
• Keep the Dutch sector informed via regular articles on latest developments in Chile regarding business opportunities as well as policy and changing rules and regulations. Communicate about Dutch programs and activities in the agricultural sector on social media platforms.  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

• Level of education: University Degree (MA degree), ideally in agronomy or related areas.
• Professional experience: a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of agriculture, food, nature and related policies, legislation and regulations, government structure, and agrifood business in Chile. A technical background of Chile’s main agricultural subsectors (e.g. fruit , wine, aquaculture, forestry) would be a plus. 
• Knowledge and understanding of current developments in policy domains, society and international trading position of Chile. 
• An excellent networker, capable of communicating easily with all kinds of counterparts, client-friendly and service-oriented. 
• Demonstrable affinity with the Netherlands. 
• An excellent command of the Spanish language, good knowledge of the English language. Written as well as spoken. Command of Dutch is a plus. 
• The ability to work both independently and in a team. 
• Analytically as well as pragmatically minded. 
• Flexible and prepared to work after office hours when needed. 
• Practical skills regarding social media and online meeting platforms

THE MAIN REQUIRED COMPETENCES 

• Planning and Organizing. 
• Result oriented. 
• Initiative. 
• Cooperative. 
• Integrity. 
• External focus. 
• Cultural sensitivity. 
•  Analytical. 

INTERESTED?

When you are interested, please send your motivation letter and CV in English addressed to Inge Horstmeier, agricultural counselor, inge.horstmeier@minbuza.nl, with copy to STG-EA@minbuza.nl.

Please send this no later than July 18th of 2025.

Your personal motivation is an important selection criterium. In your motivation letter, please make clear what you are looking for in the job, what you have to offer to the team and how your experience matches with the required competences mentioned above.  

Please allow for your schedule to attend, if selected, the first interviews that will take place between July 28st and August 1st of 2025.

If you have any questions, please send them to Inge Horstmeier, Agricultural Counselor, inge.horstmeier@minbuza.nl and/or René Borghouts, deputy head of mission at the embassy in Santiago de Chili (rene.borghouts@minbuza.nl)

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
The appointment will be effectuated on the basis of a local contract, in accordance with the PUW (internal regulations of the Embassy) and the regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The contract will be for a fixed term of seven months, starting in August 2025. The position has been approved for scale 9 according to the Dutch Local Staff scales. The actual salary will be based on the experience of the candidate and will be CLP 3,368,461 or higher.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY
The Netherlands Government is an inclusive employer with a focus on diversity. We value differences between people, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organizational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or any other category protected by law. We promote flexible, family-friendly working conditions, where operational and security needs allow.