Vacancy – Honorary Consul in Aarhus
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Denmark is looking for an Honorary Consul (HC) residing in Aarhus for a period of 5 years. The Honorary Consul will cover the region “Jutland” . 
Tasks include primarily consular services, but can also include assisting in trade promotion, supporting incoming official visits and generally following local/regional developments in the interest of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

What is an Honorary Consul 

An Honorary Consul is a resident of the country where the consulate is located. He/she is directed and supported by the  Embassy.  An Honorary Consul is pre-eminently someone who is part of the local community and who has an extensive local network, with knowledge of the local customs. An Honorary Consul however is not a diplomat, and does not have diplomatic immunity or hold a Dutch diplomatic passport. 

Tasks and Responsibilities 

The Honorary Consul is requested to perform tasks in the field of consular services, promoting trade and economic interests, supporting visits, as well as tasks in the field of culture. In addition, the HC provides information and is the primary point of contact for the Dutch school and the Dutch association in Aarhus. If an HC sees possibilities for developing own activities, he/she seeks explicit agreement of the Embassy since everything the HC does for the Netherlands falls under the responsibility of the Embassy.

Consular services 

The Honorary Consul primarily provides assistance to Dutch citizens in the event of an emergency. Consular services are always on request of the Embassy: 

  • Assistance in consular-social situations such as death, hospitalization, missing persons, crises, calamities, as well as possible visits to Dutch detainees in the area.  
  • Issue of a laissez-passer after obtaining Embassy approval. The Honorary Consul does not issue consular certificates (such as a 'certificate of life').

Economy and trade promotion 

The Honorary Consul may be deployed at the request of the Embassy to promote commercial, economic and cultural relations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Jutland region.  The possible services of the Honorary Consul can be: 

  • Identifying possible opportunities for Dutch companies. 
  • Referring companies to the Embassy. 
  • Being the first point of contact for companies, assisting in case of problems (trouble shooting) and opening doors. Deployment of the existing network of the Honorary Consul is essential in this respect. 
  • Visits to relevant authorities (local government and companies). 
  • Facilitating visits and trade missions. 

Other tasks at the request of the Embassy 

  • Identifying and monitoring developments on topics that are of interest to the Kingdom of the Netherlands (political, economic). 
  • Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Jutland region on national days and ceremonies.
  • Provide a first point of contact for the Dutch community. 
  • Contributing to the preparation of visits for employees of the Embassy or delegations from the Netherlands.
  • Following relevant national developments and legal processes when Dutch nationals or the interests of the Kingdom are at stake. 
  • Support to or attendance at activities of the Embassy (cultural projects, public diplomacy events).

Requirements 

  • Good network in the local community. 
  • Good reputation and access to local administrative and political authorities. 
  • Thorough knowledge of local context. 
  • Minimal risk of conflict of interest. 
  • Affinity with Dutch societal values.
  • Own source of income (financially independent). 
  • Own and independent office space. 
  • Strong affinity with the Netherlands. 
  • Fluency in Danish, English. 
  • Proficiency in Dutch will be highly valued with a view to assisting Dutch citizens in sometimes difficult circumstances.  
  • Maximum age of 65.
  • Dutch nationality is not a requirement; an EU nationality (Danish or otherwise) is. 

Expense Allowance 

The Honorary Consul will receive an expense allowance, which covers the work done. Tasks are carried out on the basis of a volunteer agreement rather than an employment contract. 

How to Apply 

If you are interested in the position, please submit a short cover letter and resume to:
kop-cdp@minbuza.nl to the attention of H.E. Pauline Diepenbroek. Please include a brief description of the office that you would make available for the consulate. Expressions of interest will be accepted until 12/10/2026.
Further information may be obtained by the Deputy Ambassador Arne Brandsma or the Operational Manager Astrid Boehm through the same email address. 

Diversity 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to being an inclusive and diversity-friendly organization. We do this by leveraging the differences between persons to the fullest and by creating a work culture where everyone can be themselves and feel valued. When composing teams and hiring new talent we strive for diversity in age, gender, culture, background, orientation, impairment, knowledge and skills. We invite you to indicate in your motivation letter how you will commit to this.