Are you a macroeconomic expert? Do you want to support the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya to enhance trade and investments? And are you someone who can easily connect the dots and build a relevant network? Good news! The Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya is looking for an enthusiastic policy officer who will join the trade and investment team and whose role will be to further strengthen the economic relations between the Netherlands and Kenya.
The Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya focusses on enhancing trade and investment opportunities and partnerships in Kenya, particularly on the following sectors: 1) Logistics 2) Health 3) Agribusiness 4) Water and 5) Energy Transition. This is being delivered by the Economic Affairs Team which comprises: Trade and Investment; Agriculture; Food Security, Water and Climate -all under the guidance of the Head of Trade and Development and the Ambassador. You will become an integral part of the Trade and Investment team and support on day-to-day tasks such as; preparing high level meetings or visits, develop strategic interventions and work on the visibility of the Netherlands as a strong trade partner for Kenya.
Within the team you will become the focal point for macroeconomic analysis. This entails amongst other things: 1) preparing regular reports on the state of the Kenyan economy 2) connect with relevant platforms such as the World Bank, IFC, relevant development partner groups and others 3) advice on how to improve the business climate for NL entrepreneurs seeking to do business in Kenya, including taxation issues, import and export barriers. To this end, it will be important to build a strong network amongst government partners, businesses and other stakeholders to be able to provide the required support, whilst also being able to connect the dots between development cooperation programmes and political developments.
Furthermore, you will be the focal point for any business queries on the water sector. The Netherlands is a strong partner for Kenya in the water sector through various development programmes. The Netherlands would like to extend this presence to the private sector. You will be in charge of market studies for private sector initiatives in the water sector, supporting NL businesses that wish to become active in this sector and monitoring business opportunities and relevant developments in the sector.
About the Embassy of Netherlands:
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi is, besides Kenya, also accredited in Somalia and the Seychelles. In addition, the Ambassador is the Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat, headquartered in Nairobi. The embassy is an organization that consists of 60 employees, both Kenyan and Dutch nationals, including attachés from several ministries in the Netherlands. The Embassy works on trade, economic development, development cooperation, security, political, consular, humanitarian and general affairs. The Embassy has a regional role with regards to climate and migration.
Partnering for sustainable solutions is the vision of the Netherlands Kenya relationship. Within this relationship a strong focus will be laid on strengthening economic relations and trade. Inclusivity, sustainability and digitalization are central to this relationship to contribute to the leave no one behind agenda in Kenya. Development can only be maintained and succeed when stability and democracy are realized and strengthened. Building upon those principles, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya has recently developed its Strategic Plan for the period 2023 2027. Under this strategic plan, a further strengthening of the involvement of the Netherlands private sector in agribusiness, logistics, energy, water and health care is foreseen. The Policy Officer, Economic Affairs will be working in the Trade and Investment team that also consists of three policy officers who cover 1) Logistics 2) Health and 3) Energy. The team closely collaborates with the Agriculture team; the water, food security and climate team as well as the political team.
- Monitoring economic developments in Kenya and the region; analyze and communicate regularly to the embassy and relevant policy departments in Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.
- Follow up with any briefings from partners such as IFC, World Bank, the donor group etc. on Macro-economic performance and Public Finance Management.
- Build relevant networks amongst stakeholders in public institutions, private entities, and development cooperation organizations, in economic governance and in the water sector.
- Be the focal point for business queries in the water sector and develop strategy on enhancing business in the water sector
- Handle trade and investment requests. Give support to NL and KE business to enhance trade.
- Work with the team on preparing field-visits, high-level visits, round-tables and other events.
- Develop new business climate programmes in line with the NL Strategic Plan
Key result areas:
- The embassy has a thorough understanding of the macroeconomic situation and trend in Kenya and new trends are quickly analyzed.
- Successfully manage business climate programmes.
- Have a broad network within economic governance and the water sector and connect the dots between development programmes, political developments and the business community.
- Business is informed quickly and satisfactorily as to questions concerning trade and investment opportunities, especially in the water sector.
- The trade and investment team is visible at events and online through LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
- At least a bachelors and masters degree in the area of business administration, economics, development studies.
- 5 years of relevant work experience in a relevant sector; i.e., government, embassies, consultancy, international organizations.
- Experience with macroeconomic analysis of Kenya.
- Proven knowledge of the Kenyan business climate.
- Experience with project management, monitoring and evaluation.
- A strong network in the water sector, or the ability to quickly build this.
- Experience in private sector development
- Good knowledge of the English language, orally and written.
- Good computer skills.
- Good interpersonal skills; ability to interact with people of all levels.
- Ability to work well within a multicultural setting.
- Attractive salary.
- Competitive package of other benefits such as a (local) healthcare plan.
- Working in a challenging, high level international environment.
- Friendly, open work atmosphere.
