Senior Climate Policy Officer, Dutch Permanent Representation to the European Union

Job Description

For this position, we are seeking an enthusiastic colleague with an international and European outlook and experience in multilateral negotiations and advocacy. We are looking for someone who has a keen understanding of the Netherlands’ interests and opportunities in the field of climate policy, as well as the interests of other member states, the Commission, and the European Parliament—and who, within that context, can get things done through knowledge, persuasiveness, and creativity.

The role focuses on climate issues and also touches on broader areas such as RepowerEU and the Green Deal, where climate and environmental policy, the energy transition, (geopolitical) industrial policy, and financing converge. That is why it is important that you can identify cross-cutting connections and collaborate effectively with the various departments at the PVEU and in The Hague.

The focus of your role will be on designing (and later developing) the 2040 climate and energy framework aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The revision of the EU’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)—that is, the EU’s contribution under the Paris Agreement—will require your attention. You will negotiate on both technical issues, such as the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Carbon Removal Certificate, and contribute to political negotiations at the level of heads of government. It is therefore important that you can quickly grasp technically complex matters and effectively translate them into political reality.

The specific activities for each semester are largely determined by the priorities of the Council Presidency and the European Commission. With a new Commission and European Parliament on the horizon, your responsibilities will also include influencing the new Commission’s work program.

As an attaché, you will represent the Netherlands in Council working groups, maintain close contact with representatives of other member states, the European Commission, the European Parliament, local and regional governments, interest groups, the business community, and NGOs, and report on these matters to the ministries in The Hague. You will contribute to the formulation of the Dutch position on European policy dossiers, inform the decision-making process in The Hague from the Brussels perspective, and play an active role in the preparation of Coreper and the EU Environment Council. You are also part of the delegation accompanying the minister to the Environment Council. You provide support during working visits by senior civil servants and political leaders to the PVEU and the institutions, acting proactively in this regard. In addition, a natural and ongoing responsibility is maintaining close contact with the parent ministry in The Hague and informing and advising the leadership of the PV-EU.

The work at the PVEU is fast-paced and demands flexibility. You maintain a broad perspective, have a keen political sense, are a strong communicator, are a skilled networker with persuasive abilities, are service-oriented, and can quickly familiarize yourself with the subject matter. In addition, you have knowledge of European processes and are able to operate closely with top political and administrative leaders, build support, reconcile different interests, set the agenda, and promptly identify bottlenecks with the civil service leadership in Brussels and The Hague.

Job Requirements

• University-level work and thinking.
• Experience in a European-oriented policy role.
• Experience with or an interest in national, international, and EU climate issues.
• Knowledge of the European decision-making process.
• Good at networking, a team player.
• An understanding of political and administrative dynamics in both The Hague and Brussels.
• Experience in building support and advocating positions in an international setting.
• You can adapt quickly, take the initiative, and are solution- and results-oriented.
• Service-oriented, professional, and diplomatic.
• Proficiency in English and, if possible, French. A third language is a plus.

Skills:

• Environmental awareness
• Board sensitivity
• Organizational sensitivity
• Networking skills
• Collaborate
• Analytical skills
• Persuasiveness (in speech and writing)
• Planning and organizing
• Creativity
• Stress-resistant

Terms of Employment

Salary level: Grade 12, Grade 13

Monthly salary: Min. €4,214 – Max. €6,989 (gross)

Employment status: Fixed-term employment contract

Contract duration: 3 to 4 years

Minimum number of hours per week: 32

Maximum number of hours per week: 36

Other terms and conditions of employment

In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB). The ICB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and time. With the ICB, you can make choices that suit you and customize part of your employment benefits. For example, you can choose to have a portion of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa, or spend it on tax-friendly purposes. The Dutch government is strongly committed to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. Secondary employment conditions include various study facilities, company fitness programs, full reimbursement of your public transportation costs for commuting, and partially paid parental leave.

Details

This is a three- to four-year position. The start date is August or September.

• The introductory and selection process consists of at least two rounds of interviews and a final discussion regarding terms of employment.
• Checking references or conducting an assessment may be part of the selection process.
• Colleagues within the central government who are permanent employees may be seconded or transferred while retaining their current employment status.
• After the application deadline, the job posting and the employer’s contact information will no longer be visible online. To avoid having to request this information later, we ask that you download and save the job posting.

What else do we offer you:

A pleasant work environment with excellent facilities, just a short walk from the central station.

Plenty of opportunities to continue developing your skills and specialize.

We believe it is important to maintain a good work-life balance. Working hours can be arranged flexibly by mutual agreement.

If you are hired, hybrid work is an option; you will work partly from home and partly at the office. We believe it is important to have a good home office setup. We therefore offer a subsidy for home office equipment and a work-from-home allowance in accordance with the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Rijk).

Interested in applying?

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy / Directorate for European and International Affairs (DEIZ) invites you to apply on their website. Clicking the button below will take you away from this site and directly to the application form. The government values a diverse and inclusive organization. Working in diverse teams makes us more effective, more innovative, and makes the work more enjoyable. Everyone is therefore invited to apply.

We do not accept unsolicited applications for our job openings.