News item | 18-08-2022 | 11:49

The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) is represented by Economic Department at Netherlands Embassies and Consulate Generals around the world. The Economic Departments promote trade (sometimes also supported by Netherlands Business Support Offices “NBSO”), market access, policy identification and cooperation in the fields of Agriculture (Agricultural Attaché Network “LAN”), Innovation (Innovation Attaché  Network “IAN”) and the attraction of foreign investments to the Netherlands (Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency “NFIA”).

The LAN Network has 60 offices in 80 countries. Through this LAN Network the Ministry of LNV strengthens and contributes to the international position of the Netherlands in these countries.

The LAN Network represents the Ministry of LNV in the areas of Agriculture and Nature in the operational district, and to this end maintains intensive contacts with the local authorities, Dutch and local businesses and civil-society organisations. They make an essential contribution to strengthening the international position of the Netherlands in the areas of Agriculture and Nature by means of:

• policy support for the purpose of the main department of LNV;
• providing business services to the Dutch agribusiness sector;
• bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Much of the time is spent on promoting trade, attracting investments and negotiating market access for Dutch agriproducts with the authorities in the country of representation. In addition to that, the Agricultural Network, in certain countries, makes a contribution to the strengthening of the Food Security.

The LAN Network adopts a proactive approach, seeking out opportunities for Dutch agribusiness and establishing direct contact with the relevant players via newsletters, www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl, social media and the website of the Embassy.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Reports directly to the Agricultural Counsellor who carries final responsibility and is responsible for policy-related support for the LAN;
• Gives form and direction to own and team’s activities within a specified framework. This includes, planning, tracking and monitoring of activities, schedules and progress;
• Will conduct administrative requests from team by adhering to departmental administrative and procedural rules, regulations and working agreement of the Ministry;
• Draw up information for management and provide analysis and recommendations upon request. Processes and organizes data and manages and maintains these digitally or on paper;
• Prepares trade delegations, incoming missions and draws up programs for trade delegations and visitors;
• Deal with trade requests by the Dutch agricultural industry;
• Ensures that accounting records are accurate and well-coordinated; is responsible for budget management within the LAN, making interim reports and is responsible for the financial part of the activity plan of the LAN;
• Draws up contracts for contractors for major events and/or development cooperation projects;
• Coordinates within LAN the management of the contact and communication database (Achilles);
• Writes articles for the agricultural website (www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl (ABB)), to create visibility about ongoing initiatives within the LAN network;
• Drafts, manages and coordinate the LAN part of the digital ‘cooperation space’ for the archive and documents.

Actual duties and competences

• Deals with the administrative and financial aspects of the activities of the LAN-team and reports regularly to the Homebase LAN at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and contributes to the year plans and reports of LAN-Pretoria;
• Works closely as a team with the other colleagues in relevant Embassy’s thematic teams (i.e. Climate Change team, Innovation team, Smart Cities team and other sectorial areas) at the Embassy in Pretoria and serve as a point of contact for external relations;
• Makes active use of network contacts and independently extends this network and keeps the bases of LAN contact database like Achilles, up to date;
• Offers support on preparing and organizing official visits, trade and regional missions, lectures, seminars, workshops, fair activities, networking events and other activities;
• Gathers and manages relevant market and sector information and shares the calendar of agricultural exhibitions and events in order to inform (via ABB) and support the Dutch Agro food chain;
• Supports the process of preparing presentations and make up information dossiers;
• Collects relevant and accurate information/data and communicate with relevant networks including but not limited to Dutch private sector and within LAN Network;
• Creates visibility of the activities of the team and share relevant information through social media.

Knowledge and skills

Level of education: At least educated to a Degree level in one of the following areas: Agricultural Economics, Social Sciences and/or Communication;

Level of experience: 3-4 years of relevant experience required;

Knowledge

• General knowledge and understanding of financial and (agriculture) economic affairs;
• Experience in writing reports, articles and documents;
• Good verbal and written command of the native language and English;
• A command of the Dutch language and culture is appreciated;
• Knowledge and experience with HTML docs;
• Experience in using social media in a professional setting.

Skills

• Good communication and contact skills;
• Flexible and proactive;
• Computer knowledge and skills (Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, E-mail, Internet);
• Team player.

Competencies

• Integrity
• Initiative
• Customer focus
• Goal-centeredness
• Ability to work with others
• Environmental awareness
• Ability to plan and organize
• Analytical thinking
• Communication
• Stress resistent

Working environment

The LAN Network falls within the organisational structure of the Embassy. The Agricultural Counsellor is the overall manager of the LAN team which, consists of Agricultural Advisor, an Agricultural Officer and a Management Support Officer. There is close cooperation with other sections within the Embassy (i.e. thematic teams focusing on Climate Change, Innovation and Smart Cities). The Agricultural Network is responsible for agribusiness and nature affairs.

Contacts

• With Homebase LAN at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) in The Hague and with other Agricultural Networks worldwide;
• With the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in The Hague and if necessary with other ministries;
• With local ministries and authorities, professional organisations and the business community;
• With other members of the Dutch Embassy and especially with team members of the Embassy’s thematic areas;
• With independent civil society organisations, such as NGO’s;
• With news media for public information, PR and press releases.

Terms of Employment

The appointment will be effectuated on the basis of a local contract according to the LESC rules and regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The contract will be for fixed term for a period of 1 year with the possibility of extension. The successful candidate is expected to start work from 1 November 2022.  Salary scale will be dependent upon education and experience of the candidate.

Diversity and inclusivity

The Netherlands Government is an inclusive employer with a focus on diversity. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organizational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or any other category protected by law. We promote flexible, family-friendly working conditions, where operational and security needs allow.

Applications

Interested candidates can apply before 31 August 2022 by sending a motivation letter and a recent CV to the Agricultural Counsellor email address: pre-lnv@minbuza.nl. Applicants are requested to present the subject of their application emails as follows: Agricultural Support Officer – Surname.