Water Policy Officer at the Embassy of the Netherlands

Tackle water challenges together! The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Addis Ababa is looking for a dynamic Water Policy Officer to foster collaboration, connect stakeholders, and co-create solutions. Ready to make an impact in water management while building partnerships between Ethiopia and the Netherlands? Apply now!

Basic details of the job

Job title:   Water policy officer 
Mission: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Addis Ababa
Job level:  Scale 9 (EUR 2,306 – 3,459 gross depending on experience; salary is   pegged in EUR, paid out in ETB)
Working hours: 40 per week
Job assignment: 12 months, 01 January – 31st December 2026.

The ideal candidate:

  • Has at least 7 years of experience in the water sector in Ethiopia, including project management
  • Brings in passion for water management and WASH to address the pressing problem of IWRM, water supply and sanitation in Ethiopia.
  • Is pro-active, creative, curious, results-oriented, and willing to learn.
  • Able to work and communicate constructively and effectively with colleagues at all levels.
  • Able to bring in and develop a functional network, and to manage relationships, at international, national and local levels.
  • Is a team-worker who is flexible and capable to connect the challenges in the water sector to health and food and nutrition security.

 

Description of the position

Water is a priority theme within the Dutch Policy for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. The water policy officer in the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Addis Ababa will work together with other colleagues in the policy team to strengthen integrated activities design within the development cooperation program of the Netherlands in Ethiopia as well as manage his/her own portfolio and funding.  

This requires a very creative and pro-active approach and the ability to work with different stakeholders to co-create and to connect existing ‘dots’ between ideas, programmes, and (financial) instruments. The water policy officer will function as a connecting pin between the interest of the Dutch and Ethiopian government, private sector and other initiatives that strives to address the current water challenges in the country. This means you will work closely together with your direct colleagues, colleagues from the Ministry in The Hague, other embassies, the EU, NGO’s and the Ethiopian government.

Description of the Duties

Connect

  • Maintain the water sectors network with the Ethiopian government, donor partners, NGOs, (Dutch) private sector, and relevant actors in the Netherlands.
  • Actively liaise between the water team in the embassy in Addis Ababa and other water colleagues in The Hague.

Create

  • Advise and provide feedback on new and existing Dutch water initiatives in Ethiopia from different funding streams and connect them to relevant partners in the country to create synergies and possible new forms of cooperation.
  • Identify opportunities to engage (local, regional, international) private sector in co-creating solutions to water related challenges and bring stakeholders together for dialogue and to explore opportunities with available financing instruments.

Working environment

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Addis Ababa consists of 18 Dutch and 32 national staff members. The main working areas of the embassy are development cooperation, economic affairs, consular affairs, and political affairs. The embassy also includes the Permanent Mission to the African Union. The water policy officer will be a member of the food and nutrition and water cluster of the embassy, that also includes a policy officer on climate.

Requirements for the position

Knowledge and experience

  • An advanced university degree (a master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant area for this position.
  • Relevant working experience (e.g., in water, agriculture, business development, consultancy, sustainability projects, trade & investment, climate change).
  • Understanding of business opportunities in water-related sectors.
  • Knowledge of strategic and socio-economic developments in the development sector, in particular water resources management, WASH and climate change adaptation.
  • Appropriate network of contacts in development and water related fields.
  • Written and verbal communication skills in English are essential.
  • Experience with initiating innovative approaches and sound conceptual and strategic thinking.

Important competencies

  • Initiative
  • Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Networking
  • Analytical skills
  • Integrity

Other remarks

Diversity and Inclusion

The Embassy pursues an active diversity policy and is committed to an inclusive organization. We do this by making optimal use of people’s differences. And by creating a work culture where everyone can be themselves and feel valued. We strive for diversity in terms of gender, age, culture, background, orientation, disability, knowledge, and competencies when compiling teams and hiring new talent.

Application procedure

Applicant must submit the following documents by email:

  1. Resume with listing of work experience in reverse chronological order – (last job first) – including job description for each position held and (any) significant achievement in that position.
  2. Motivation letter demonstrating why you want this one year job and why you are the best candidate for this position, including some examples which show your competence of being pro-active, entrepreneurial, creative and a good networker.

Applications will only be received by email at ADD@minbuza.nl  with Subject: Application for the position of “Water Policy Officer”.

 

Application deadline: Friday 07 November 2025