Policy Officer Responsible Business Conduct - Cote d’Ivoire
Regional Policy Officer Responsible Business Conduct West Africa
Basic details of the job
Job title: Regional Policy Officer Responsible
Business Conduct West-Africa
Mission: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abidjan
Job level: Local pay scale 9
Working hours: 40 hrs per week
Job assignment: 1 year (with a possible extension of
3 years)
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Dutch government expects companies to ensure their business
activities within their value chain are carried out sustainably and
with respect for human rights and the environment. That is called
responsible business conduct (RBC). In anticipation of European
legislation on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), the Dutch Ministry
of Foreign Affairs is working on ways to strengthen the knowledge and
capacity of our missions on RBC. This impacts both West- African and
Dutch businesses. Due to these regulatory changes at EU-level and the
rapid developments in West-Africa, there is a growing need for a
dedicated Regional Policy Officer Responsible Business Conduct for
West-Africa within the Embassy in Abidjan. He/she will be responsible
for the development and integration of Dutch RBC policy into the daily
work of the Embassy, in close partnership with the political and
economic departments. He/she has a high degree of autonomy and reports
to the Deputy Head of Mission/Head of Economic Department.
The Policy Officer RBC collects, identifies, analyses, interprets
and reports on information and developments in the field of RBC in the
Côte d’Ivoire, and other priority countries including Nigeria, Benin,
Senegal and Ghana. He/she translates policy into actionable plans
tailored to the Ivorian context, aiming to strengthen cooperation with
the Ivorian authorities and contribute to the level playing field of
(European) companies who want to do business in Côte d’Ivoire. While a
large part of the focus of work will be in Côte d’Ivoire, best
practices and lessons learned will be proactively shared with other
Embassies in Nigeria, Benin, Senegal and Ghana. Dutch companies and
knowledge institutes who (want to) do business in the West-Africa will
be provided with the appropriate level of advice on RBC (i.e.
briefings to participants of meetings/incoming and outgoing (trade) missions).
The RBC Policy Officer understands the different RBC frameworks,
the political and administrative situation in The Netherlands and
West- Africa and has knowledge of the forces at work and the interests
at stake. He/she assesses the viability of actions/decisions, and
recognizes reputational/diplomatic/political risks on time. He/she has
a good, relevant network (locally, in the wider West- Africa region
and in the Netherlands), actively shares knowledge, information and
ideas, and is a visible presence both within the Embassy and outside.
The position is ranked in job level 9. Like all salary scales in force at the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, this salary scale comprises 15 pay numbers, starting with a gross minimum of 2.348.733 CFA Franc.
Applicants must have the Ivorian nationality.
- RBC policy plans are translated into implementation plans and projects, tailored to the local context, with effective evaluation tools to continuously improve the outcome of the Embassy’s work.
- Enquiries (from both Dutch companies and colleagues at the various Dutch Embassies in West Africa) are handled and coordinated effectively and in good time.
- High quality contributions to policy proposals, reports, presentations, analyses, overviews, etc. are submitted on time to keep the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly informed on developments in Côte d’Ivoire and the West-Africa with regard to RBC.
- Inside and outside the Embassy, the RBC Policy Officer has positioned himself/herself as an expert in RBC policy issues, has built up a network and is seen as a valued partner.
- Dutch companies who are (planning to) do business Côte d’Ivoire are well informed on the OECD Guidelines, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and EU and Dutch legislation on RBC, particularly the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, Conflict Minerals Regulation and Forced Labour Regulation.
- The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abidjan and other Embassies in West Africa are informed on latest developments in the Netherlands with regard to RBC.
- Strengthened bilateral (or trilateral) cooperation between the Netherlands and Côte d’Ivoire at governmental level on RBC-related topics.
- Decisions are taken in accordance with the applicable internal and external frameworks/rules/agreements.
- Meetings/incoming and outgoing missions/products/promotions are arranged in accordance with relevant time-, quality- and budget-based agreements.
- Systems/records are kept in good order.
The RBC Policy Officer:
- Maintains good relationships with Dutch companies operating in the region and facilitates contacts between companies, both in consultation with and at the request of the missions.
- Takes the initiative to inform Dutch companies as well as local authorities about international voluntary frameworks and EU directives on RBC, the forthcoming Dutch national legislation in which this will be transposed and the impact this might have on businesses in the region.
- Strengthens the level playing field with other EU-companies through joint advocacy activities with EU-embassies and the EU Chamber of Commerce on European RBC regulations.
- Increases public and private sector awareness in Côte d’Ivoire/ West-Africa about economic and reputational advantages RBC can have, being a potential asset for attracting foreign direct investment.
- Assesses the feasibility of setting up an Ivorian ecosystem in which both the public and private sector, as well as knowledge institutes can work closer together to advance the RBC agenda in a way that could subsequently be applied in other countries West Africa.
- Advises and supports regional Embassies’ on incorporating RBC principles into their day-to-day operations, including socially responsible procurement of services.
- Develops ideas for Public Diplomacy events to help promote RBC principles in Côte d’Ivoire for the public and private sector.
- Provides feedback and input to relevant RBC policy makers in The Hague.
Due to the dynamic nature of RBC-developments and due to the fact that this is a newly created position, tasks and responsibilities related to the portfolio might be amended by the (Deputy) Head of Mission, in close consultation with the RBC Policy Officer and the RBC policy team in The Hague.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- Knowledge of EU-regulations, policies and developments related to trade promotion in general and RBC in particular.
- Knowledge of the field of work of an Embassy and the ministry cycles (policy, budget, annual plan, etc.)
- General understanding of communications, accessing and analyzing public information.
- Ability to identify and analyze RBC-opportunities and -risks for the Dutch private sector, and to come up with concrete policy proposals or advice to address them.
- Skilled in dealing with external parties both orally and in writing.
- Skilled in analyzing questions and responding to them orally and in writing.
- Skilled in preparing/coordinating meetings/presentations for incoming and outgoing missions.
- Skilled in translating insights and information into recommendations, plans and reports, and in assessing the policy-related and financial consequences arising from them.
- Skilled in developing, promoting and presenting policies, new ideas and concepts in different shapes (reports, project proposals, memo’s) and oversee their implementation.
- Fluent in written and spoken French and English. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset but not mandatory.
- Knowledge of Microsoft.
COMPETENCES
The staff member:
- Is customer-oriented.
- Can plan and organise.
- Shows external awareness.
- Is sensitive to the needs of management.
- Is able to network.
- Is creative.
EDUCATION
Cognitive and other work-related abilities: Higher professional
level (HBO or equivalent)
Level of experience: At least 5 years of
relevant work experience
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Netherlands is based in the office of the EU delegation in
Abidjan. In 2026 the Embassy will move to its own office space in
another building. The team currently consists of 4 expat staff and 7
locally engaged staff members. The team spirit is good and the
cooperation with headquarters in The Hague is excellent and happens
in an open and accessible way.
The Netherlands is one of the biggest trade partners of Cote
d’Ivoire. Both import and export is growing. Sectors that attract
Dutch businesses are agriculture (such as cacao and cashew), energy,
water and logistics.
The RBC Policy Officer will work under the management of the Deputy
Head of Mission and is part of the Economic Affairs department. This
department of the Netherlands Embassy is primarily concerned with
identifying commercial opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire for Dutch
businesses for which the department provides businesses and knowledge
institutions with appropriate support. Raising awareness on and
promoting RBC is one of the department’s priorities.
The economic team lead by the Head of the Economic Department
consists of a Policy advisor on economic affairs and a Policy officer
on cacao, cashew and sustainable development.
Please send your cover letter and CV to Matthijs van Eeuwen (abi-cdp@minbuza.nl). Only suitable candidates will be invited for an interview. The selection procedure consists of two interviews and a written test.
Deadline for applications: 7 November 2025 , close of business.