A.          BASIC DETAILS OF THE JOB

Job title: Junior Project & Policy Officer - Water
Mission: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Delhi, India
Job level: 08
Number of working hours per week: 38
 

B.          GENERAL FEATURES OF THE JOB

The position is based in the Economic Department of the Embassy in New Delhi. The junior Project & Policy Officer - Water will work under the guidance of the Senior Lead Programme Officer for Water (and the Economic Counselor)

The Netherlands and India enjoy a long-standing bilateral cooperation in the field of water. Currently, an Indo-Dutch Strategic Water Partnership programme takes the lead in the bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti of India. The regional focus is on the Ganga basin including  Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Key areas of cooperation are water safety, water availability, water quality, and urban water resilience. For the latter, the Water as Leverage for Resilient Indian Cities program with the National Mission Clean Ganga and (Global) River Cities Alliance has started its trajectory in Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) and separately from National Mission for Clean Ganga the follow-up is ongoing in Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

The Water program is part of the the Strategic Partnership that India and the Netherlands will announce before the end of the year. It also contributes to strengthening the goals as set in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular to ensure availability and sustainable management of water, to mitigate & adapt to climate change, as well as contributing to the international implementation of the Netherlands strategy towards sustainable water management. The Netherlands contributes to these Goals and this strategy using its excellent knowledge and technology base. This is intertwined with promoting trade, attracting investments, and negotiating market access for Dutch water companies with the Indian authorities.

The Junior project & policy officer will provide support and report to  the Lead senior programme officer-Water at the Embassy in the implementation of the Water Programme. 

C.1        DUTIES AND RESULT AREAS

  • Policy and Programme Implementation Support under the leadership and supervision of the senior Program Officer

  • Assist and contribute towards the development and implementation of the various policies and activities under the bilateral water programme;.

  • Assist in the preparation of Project documents and progress reports for activities under the programme;

  • Perform basic research and analysis to inform and support the project deliverables;

  • Assist in preparation, filing, compilation and dissemination of documents/materials relating to the programme;

  • Provide technical, administrative and operational support to the Lead Programme Officer-Water at the Embassy and other team members of the bilateral water cooperation;

  • Follow-up with relevant departments at government offices, and other relevant organisations to expedite implementation and meet the assigned goals;

  • Assist in preparing budget estimates, seeking quotations, liaising with vendors and post event expenditure sheets for workshops and other events;

  • Provide support during ministerial and other high level incoming delegations related to the water sector;

  • Provide support in organizing of workshops and incoming & outgoing missions of Dutch/Indian experts esp. under the bilateral water programme;

 Strategic Planning

  • Identify, analyze, and interpret relevant data and developments to support policy-making.
  • Support the design and implementation of the bilateral water programme, including strategic and policy development.
  • Monitor and assess political, economic, and societal trends affecting bilateral water cooperation.
  • Contribute to the formulation, development and implementation of the bilateral water programme, including policy and strategy development;

Stakeholder Engagement and coordination

  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, in India and the Netherlands. Facilitate communication and collaboration between relevant govt. agencies.

  • Maintains proactively a relevant professional water/trade network with government organisations, the business community and civil-society interest groups.

 External Communication

  • Support development communication plan for all stakeholders, providing regular updates on the progress of the activities under the water programme.

  • Manage communication messages for social media, together with the Comms team

Reporting and Evaluation

  • Gathering information and reporting on relevant subject matter relevant for the activities of bilateral water cooperation. 

  • Provide regular updates and report on the progress of the G2G initiatives.

  • Support to embassy advice and evaluation/recommendations for water related subsidy applications of RVO, and Dutch Trust funds managed by MinBuZA, MinIenW etc. 

Trade and Business Development

Provide advice and support on Dutch trade and promotional activities in the water sector, including representing the interests and policies of the Ministry of Infrastructure &Water Management at fairs, exhibitions, and other relevant forums. Advise on trade and investment inquiries from the Dutch water sector, and coordinate the planning and organization of workshops, as well as incoming and outgoing expert missions under the bilateral water programme.

Others

Participate and represent the Netherlands water interests in the EU Water sector meetings.

C.2        CONTACTS

  • With Indian and Dutch government representatives and other authorities, business organizations and business community;

  • Relevant line departments under the State Govt.s, Cities / ULBs related to the water cooperation;

  • With colleagues of the Economic Network India (ENI) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, as well as the Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Lucknow and Kolkata;

  • With the wider Embassy team.

C.3       KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS / JOB REQUIREMENTS

  • University level, or demonstrated capability of thinking and analysing at higher educational level

  • General knowledge and understanding of water issues, policies in the country; relevant sectoral experience, preferably with water / or urban water management background; 

  • Good knowledge and understanding of Indian government structure, relevant legislation, regulations and policy priorities; experience in dealing with Cities / ULBs will be an advantage;

  • General knowledge and understanding of current developments in policy domains, society and trading position India is desirable;

  • An appropriate network of contacts in relevant fields is desirable;

  • Familiarity with and ability to adapt to other cultures and customs is desirable.

Skills

  • Ability to translate insights and information into plans and reports;

  • Ability to work in a team; willingness to share information is essential. 

  • Competencies such as flexibility, adaptability, humor and ability to put things into perspective are a must;

  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; good time management skills;

  • Satisfactory verbal and written command of English and preferably also Hindi language;

  • Good communication skills;

  • Willingness to carry out embassy-wide tasks;

  • Computer knowledge and skills (Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, E-mail, Internet).

Competencies

  • Ability to think analytically;

  • Ability to plan & organize;

  • Motivated and dedicated to work;

  • Focus on results;

  • Ability to Network;

  • Client Orientation; 

  • Flexibility;

  • Pro-active;

  • Team player;

  • Integrity (standard competency).

Experience:

No prior working experience is required, but can be an advantage (preferably in the field of water / urban water affairs).  

D.          WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Brief description of the Mission and the physical work environment

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of India comprises around 80 FTE’s. Apart from the Embassy in New Delhi, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has Consulates-General in Bengaluru and Mumbai and Business Support Offices in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, as well as Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow. The Embassy also covers Bhutan and Nepal. In both countries, the Netherlands has Honorary Consuls. 

 

Brief description of the Economic Department:

The team of the Economic Department comprises the Economic Counsellor and Head of the Department, a First Secretary, and four Policy Officers. The Policy Officers report to the Economic Counsellor. The Department plays a key role in the efforts of the Dutch government to strengthen bilateral economic relations.

The Economic Cluster constitutes of the Economic Department and the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Life Sciences and Health and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency. The Economic Counsellor is the overall coordinator. The Cluster works in close cooperation with the Consulates-General in Mumbai and Bengaluru, the Netherlands Business Support Offices in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad and the Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow. Together they form the Economic Network India (ENI), coordinated by the Economic Counsellor.

E. TYPE OF EMPLOYEE REQUIRED

A committed, self-driven and proactive team player with project management, time management and organisational skills. The ideal candidate has humour, the ability to put things into perspective and dares to express his/her opinion, even if it differs from others. The candidate should also possess analytical skills along with capabilities in administrative and operational support. Would be an asset if the candidate is willing to contribute to the collective success of the embassy beyond individual responsibilities.

As this is a junior position no working experience is required. But a track-record in implementing and coordinating of various projects/programme is appreciated, as well as building and expanding network/partnerships in the field of water / urban water management.  

F.           EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

The selected candidate will be offered an employment contract for one year. Upon expiry of this contract, another one year employment contract will be offered in case of excellent job performance. As financing for this position is for only two years, no more employment will be offered thereafter.

Upon employment, the employee will be ranked in salary scale 8, the same as the job level. All ten salary scales at the Embassy comprise 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, the employee may be awarded one additional pay number depending on his or her job performance in the preceding 12 months.  At present, salary scale 8 starts with a gross monthly salary of INR 147,902 for pay number 0 and ends with a gross monthly salary of INR 177,482. Salaries are reviewed every first of January. Every December a 13th month salary is paid. Within certain restrictions 95% of necessary medical cost are reimbursed. Employees are encouraged and supported to seek further training and education to improve their skills and broaden their employability. This is paid for by the employer.

Income tax and social security premiums are to be paid by the employee in accordance with Indian Law and regulations.

APPLICATION

Applicants who are interested in the position and wish to apply for it can send their application (CV and cover letter) by email to nde-az-hr@minbuza.nl no later than 25th of July.