Basic details of the job

Job title: Local Policy Officer of the Defence Attaché Office
Location: Kyiv
Job level: 08 (EUR 2356,- / EUR 3534,- gross)
Number of hours: 37,5

General features of the job

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. Since Russia’s full scale invasion of February 2022, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has accelerated significantly backing Ukraine, which has resulted in granting donations of equipment, including sustainment, training and technical support. 

You will be working as part of the DAO of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kyiv, reporting directly to the (Deputy) Defence Attaché (DA). The DAO aims to collect and report data, which are of interest to the political and military leadership of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. From a political, military, economic, strategic, tactical, technical and/or historical point of view. 

Monitoring and reporting on military matters is strongly related to politics, security and stability. Therefore, close collaboration and information sharing with policy staff members of the Embassy is key in order to fulfil core tasks as assigned to the DAO. 

To this end and when appropriate, you will liaise with embassy staff members (national/ international), national military and civil authorities, and any other individual of interest to the DAO.

You will build and maintain a network (international) in relevant departments and organisations, to enable below mentioned focal areas. 

Your work will be focused on and related to two (2) main areas:

1. Monitoring:
- developments (political/military) related to the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- implementation of NLD/UKR (military) cooperation; 
- progress of NLD requests.

2. Facilitating:
- NLD activities in UKR;
- contact between NLD military defence industry, Ukrainian stakeholders, and when appropriate relevant NL (MoD) partners. 

You will cover military (political) and security related topics and provide the DAO with relevant information, and when appropriate, analyses . This means keeping your ear to the ground and using your network to follow, e.g., political discussions, legislative trajectories, anti- corruption initiatives, and the implementation of military reforms. You also pay close attention to political debate concerning military affairs, both in society and on social media.

Function requires:
- well-developed organisational, administrative and communication skills;
- Flexibility (changing priorities, various projects, etc.);
- participation in events and accompanying delegations outside office hours (i.e. evenings and/or weekends).

Duties

• Proactively monitoring and providing regular, timely and accurate information about Ukrainian military/security developments with efficient and effective usage of a variety of resources for periodic updates; 
• Organizing key data, to be available for reports, background briefings and project monitoring; 
• Analysing legislation and policy changes in relevant spheres, including reforms;
• Maintaining a broad network within among others, UA MoD, General Staff and subordinated commands, public and private defence industry;
• Advise on liaising with Ukrainian national and regional (military) authorities, among other monitoring (progress) of NLD official requests;
• Organise and when appropriate participate in field trips to military units, premises and defence industry projects;
• Organisational support prior to and during (high level) visits, provision of advice to incoming missions;
• Organisation and/or attending relevant internal and external meetings on behalf of the DAO, including reporting; 
• Providing general assistance where relevant, including as translator and interpreter.  

Working environment

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kyiv promotes and implements bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and Ukraine with the aim to strengthen bilateral ties and strengthen political stability, security and economic growth in Ukraine. As well as supporting and underling these topics in multilateral gremials. The Netherlands embassy in Kyiv has 40 staff members. 

The DAO assists in coordinating the implementation of Netherlands military policy and represents the interests of the Netherlands Minister of Defence and the Commander of the Netherlands Armed forces.

The (Deputy) DA is subordinate to the Director of International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defence in the Netherlands and accountable to him/her for performing specified tasks. 

The (Deputy) DA acts as advisor to the ambassador on defence/ security matters and works closely with other departments within the embassy. DAO actively supports the interests of the Dutch defence industry.

The DAO is consequently responsible for analysing and reporting military developments in Ukraine in the context of evolving global and regional security conditions in order to inform the evolution of (military) policy towards Ukraine. 

The DAO also coordinates security cooperation activities between the Netherlands and Ukraine (military), both bi- and multilateral, and in all spheres of military activity. 

Within the Embassy the one team-way of working is promoted, through crosscutting reporting, (social) activities and information sharing.

Knowledge and skills

Level of education: higher professional level
Level of experience: 5 years’ relevant work experience required

• Familiar with the Ukrainian political system and legislative procedures;

• Familiar with the Military, EU and NATO institutional framework and its ways of working;

• Familiar with Ukraine’s civil society and democratic reforms in relation to security and military (a broad interest in policy topics will be helpful);

• Experience in cooperation with (military) authorities, defence industry, expert groups, and think tanks ;

• Excellent and broad existing network, military/security sector contacts and confidence to proactively enlarge, engage and maintain a useful network;

• Sharp analytical mind that is able to operate in many different spheres and constantly converts this into updates and reports of use for Dutch strategic military and security priorities;

• Flexible attitude and ability to switch easily between policy dossiers;   
  Excellent level of English (native language is expected to be Ukrainian; knowledge of Dutch is a bonus); 

• Skills in internal and external communication, both orally and in writing; 
  Proven ability to prioritise, handle multiple tasks and respond quickly to changing circumstances. Ability to work under pressure;

• Driving Licence.

You are an open-minded, energetic and flexible colleague. A team player who provides the DAO an additional and diverse network. Eager to share her/his knowledge and experience. 

You have a high awareness of reform related developments in Ukraine. A professional with a high sense of integrity and political awareness. Available for duty trips outside Kyiv.

You communicate well and have a good sense of confidentiality, responsibility and accuracy. You should also be able to function well in the Netherlands working environment of the embassy, where personal initiative and independent judgement are greatly appreciated. 

You have the capability to combine a supporting role with analytical tasks with, which requires accuracy and an eye for detail. You are willing to take on a wide variety of tasks and can work independently. You are aware of your role as representative of the Netherlands government and Netherlands Defence in particular. You know how to act accordingly.

Required behavior: 
-    Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together.

Please submit your CV and relevant documents (motivation letter, letter of recommendation ect) to KYI-REC@MINBUZA.nl with the subject Local Policy Officer of the Defence Attaché Office (DAO)  until May 23.