Job Vacancy: Senior Officer Security and Stability - North Macedonia

Senior Officer Security and Stability

The Netherlands has over 140 diplomatic missions worldwide. At the Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia, we are looking for a team player with strong social and communicative skills, who has a pro-active attitude to follow security and stability developments in North Macedonia and the implications of security and stability related events in the Western Balkan region on North Macedonia.
Deadline: 29 February 2024 (4pm)
 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Netherlands has a network in the Western Balkans that covers the topics of Security and Stability in the region. The network consists of 2 Regional Coordinators (1 for security in Sarajevo and 1 for stability in Skopje) and 5 local experts in each of the embassies in the region (Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana, Pristina and Belgrade, also covering Montenegro). The issues they cover range from foreign influences in the region (including in the cyber domain), migration and human trafficking, terrorism, radicalization, (right-wing) extremism, SALW and organized crime.

The senior officer security and stability functions as part of this regional network and will work primarily for the two Regional Coordinators, but will work under the guidance of the Head of Mission.

The Senior Officer Security and Stability is a member of the policy staff of the Embassy in Skopje that consists of the Ambassador, deputy Ambassador and 10 local staff members. Within the embassy, close collaboration between all staff members is a necessity in order to fulfil the core tasks of the embassy. Monitoring and reporting on Security and Stability related issues is linked to topics covered by other colleagues such as the rule of law, politics and European integration and thus a shared responsibility of all policy staff which makes close cooperation, information sharing and teamwork a must.

The main responsibility of the Senior Officer Security and Stability is to monitor, signal, advise and analyse (requested and upon your own initiative) developments and issues that may have an impact on the security and stability situation in North Macedonia and/or the wider region.

You maintain and further expand a large and high-impact network within the public sector, NGOs, journalists and researchers. You are well aware of the key issues of the security and stability issues and their interconnectedness in the Western Balkans.

You are a university graduate in security and stability studies, political science, international relations, law or a related field followed by relevant working experience. You have strong analytical skills, are proactive, have a thorough knowledge of the English, Macedonian and Albanian language (Dutch is a plus) both orally and in writing, excellent IT skills and a good understanding of the general political and security environment in the Western Balkans. Planning and organization are developed skills while out of the box thinking enable you to work independently under the guidance of the two Regional Coordinators. You are ready to travel in North Macedonia regularly and in the region on occassion.

RESULT AREAS

  1. Timely and to the point drafting and contributing to (regional) reports on Security and Stability related developments;
  2. Contributing to organizing official visits, missions and workshops in the field of Security and Stability in the broader sense;
  3. Support and replace the HoM, dHoM, or the Regional Coordinators, upon their request;
  4. Having, maintaining and expanding a functional and effective network in the field of Security and Stability.
  5. Initiating, managing and monitoring a successful project portfolio.
  6. Reporting and monitoring of security and stability issues North Macedonia
  7. Cooperating with the other 4 security and stability experts working for the Dutch embassies in the region

REQUIREMENTS

Mandatory

  • Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in security and stability, political science, international relations, law or related field
  • At least three years of work experience in the field of (international) security & stability, law enforcement or judicial sector.
  • Expert knowledge of security and stability issues in North Macedonia
  • Extensive network of relevant interlocutors on security and stability at government level, NGO’s, thinktanks and other communities.
  • Team player
  • Excellent analytical skills
  • Strong social & communicative skills
  • Strong writing skills
  • Pro-active attitude
  • Ability to work independently
  • Knowledge of the local government and institutional framework, as well as of local civil society
  • Good intercultural skills
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English and Macedonian/Albanian
  • Proficiency on the following competences:
  • Ability to plan and organize
  • Ability to coordinate
  • Initiative
  • Commitment to quality
  • Integrity
  • Ability to work with others

Desirable

  • Experience of working in an international/multilateral environment
  • Excellent ICT skills, Word, Outlook and Excel and relevant applications.
  • Affinity and/or familiarity with the Netherlands
  • Knowledge of the Dutch language (to be able to read)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The successful candidate will initially be offered a temporary contract for 1 year (with the possibility of extension).
The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a professional background and medical check and is to commence employment as of 1 May 2024. A screening check is also required for this position. Any job offer is conditional upon a successful screening clearance.
 This job profile does not describe all tasks in full detail. This profile provides the precondition for the job. It is important that the employee is flexible and has an open mind to do additional tasks. Employee must occasionally be willing to work beyond office hours when requested.
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is in a constant process of change. Those changes may have effect on the tasks as stated in this profile. 
 

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants should submit their CV and cover letter in English by 29 February, 4pm to sko@minbuza.nl 
For securing a unified approach and review of all received applications, the candidates are requested to use the English version of the Euro format CV template, which can be downloaded at: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae/templates-instructions. A recent picture is appreciated. 

Kindly note that your application will only be considered if:
  • Your application has been sent before the deadline,
  • Your application documents are fully in English,
  • Your application documents are in Euro format CV template in addition to a motivation letter
Furthermore:
  • Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview,
  • The writing of an essay on a relevant topic will be part of the selection procedure
  • The Embassy will not pay for your travel costs when invited for an interview.