Are you the networker and policy advisor in agrifood & nature our Embassy needs? Do you have proposals for bilateral and international cooperation in Ukraine based on the expertise of the Netherlands? Then we are looking for you!

• Position:  Agricultural Advisor (AA)
• Location: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kyiv, Ukraine
• Scale: 8
• Full time (37,5 hrs), offline
• Application deadline: 17 May 2024

WHO WE ARE

The Netherlands Agricultural Network Team in Ukraine (LAN) LAN falls within the organisational structure of the Embassy and the LAN team is part of the Economic Cluster of the Netherlands Embassy. The Agricultural Counsellor is the overall manager of the LAN which further consists of an Agricultural Advisor (vacancy) and an Agricultural Officer.

We are looking for an Agricultural Advisor with demonstrated knowledge of the Ukrainian agricultural sector and policy. Furthermore, the full scale Russian invasion and Ukraine’s accession negotiations with the EU have an impact both on the Common Agricultural Policy as well as the agricultural sector in Ukraine. We are looking for someone who can translate all these developments not only into reports but also into proposals for bilateral and international cooperation.

Someone with a vision on how to sustain and rebuild the sector, the analytic skills to sharply map the opportunities for Dutch agribusiness and knowledge institutions in the context of early recovery and post-war reconstruction, and the ability to convert these into action. (S)he has an excellent capability to build, extend and maintain a network of useful contacts within government, international s, NGO’s, knowledge institutions and the business community. organisation

We are looking for an open, proactive and result-oriented person, able to combine teamwork and hands-on internal working environment with an external, more formal working environment and role. A flexible colleague who likes to take initiative and is able to switch quickly between different policy topics.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL

Academic working and thinking level;
At least 5 years of relevant work experience

KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of agricultural policy areas, legislation and regulations, government structure, and agrifood business and organisations in Ukraine;
Knowledge and understanding of the impact of the war in policy domains, society and logistics/ export issues of Ukraine;
Knowledge of the importance and impact of Ukraine’s accession with the EU on the agricultural policy and sectors both in Ukraine as well as the EU;
Having an appropriate network of contacts in relevant fields is an advantage;
Good verbal and written command of Ukrainian and of English is required;
A command of the Dutch language is a plus or a willingness to learn Dutch as well as familiarity with and ability to adapt to Dutch culture and customs.

SKILLS

Good communication and contact skills;
Is a natural networker and has the capacity to build, maintain and expand a network of contacts in all relevant fields and on all levels;
Is able to work independently within a broad defined task assignment and to determine his / her approach on his / her initiative;
Is able to analyse and translate insights and information into policy recommendation, work plans and reports;
Flexible to adjust working hours when needed (e.g. embassy events, security situation, blackouts);
Good computer skills and experience with various computer programs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Agricultural Advisor

• Identifies, establishes and maintains independently and proactively a relevant network of contacts with governmental and international organisations, knowledge institutes, sector organisations, business community and civil society organisations.
• Monitors, analyses and reports about developments in the agrifood & nature policy in Ukraine in view of the war as well as Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. (S)he is able to translate these developments into proposals for bilateral and international cooperation on institutional level, to report and share these with relevant stakeholders in the Netherlands.
• (S)he reports about the developments in view of Ukraine’s accession negotiations in relation to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy that are important for the policy making of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).
• Identifies, develops and implements recovery programs and projects in the agrifood & nature sectors which fall within the policy priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) in the Netherlands and where possible links them to other priority areas of the Embassy (e.g. water, climate adaptation, agrologistics, energy).
• Assesses and promotes agrifood & reconstruction project opportunities in Ukraine for Dutch stakeholders, including Dutch business and knowledge institutes. (S)he is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing these projects and events.
• Coordinates project (opportunities) and cooperation both on institutional and sectoral level with governmental and international organisations, including the International Financial Institutions.
• Promotes the Netherlands as expert in the field of sustainable solutions in agriculture in the context of Build Back Better.
• Responds to both simple and complex trade related questions from the Dutch government authorities, businesses, and associations, including those in the SPS field. Seeks cooperation with relevant partners and solutions for trade issues.
• Acts proactively to resolve bottlenecks, taking into account differences in culture and/or complex regulations, and searches for appropriate measures.
• Keeps track of trade requests, activities and contacts in the relevant databases.
• Writes articles for https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/landeninformatie/oekraine
• Reports proactively to the Agricultural Counsellor who carries final responsibility.

WHAT WE OFFER

A dynamic international working environment and team spirit. Despite the impact of the war 
on the working conditions and activities at the embassy, like for instance air alerts, the 
Embassy in Kyiv is operating offline.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

The appointment will be effectuated on the basis of a local contract, in accordance with the PUW (internal regulations of the Embassy) and the regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The contract will be for fixed term for a period of one year with the possibility of extension. The position has been approved for scale 8 according to the Dutch 
Local Staff scales. Scales are dependent upon education and experience of the candidate, with a minimum of € 2.356 and a maximum of € 3.534 gross (bruto) per month (depending on experience) and a separate 13th month allowance of 8,33% based on a 37.5 hours. Note that a letter of good conduct needs to be handed over before signing a contract. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The Netherlands Embassy in Kyiv promotes and implements bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and Ukraine with the aim to strengthen bilateral ties and political stability, security and economic growth in Ukraine. The Netherlands Embassy in Kyiv has almost 40 staff members. The Embassy is organized in a political, an economic/agriculture, a consular/administrative section and has several specialized attachés, including the Agricultural Counsellor. Within the Embassy, the One Team way of 
working is promoted, through cross cutting reporting, activities and information sharing. 
LAN falls within the organisational structure of the Embassy and the LAN team is part of the Economic Cluster of the Netherlands Embassy. The Agricultural Counsellor is the overall manager of the LAN which further consists of an Agricultural Advisor (vacancy) and an Agricultural Officer. 

Office of the Agricultural Counsellor 
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 
Kyiv, Kontraktova Square 7
https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/landeninformatie/oekraine 

INTERESTED?

Send a motivation letter and CV in English to LAN Team c.spaans@minbuza.nl  before May 17, 2024 entitled “AA position”
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, please contact Carolien Spaans, Agricultural Counsellor
c.spaans@minbuza.nl + 380 50 447 85 87
​