Trade Program Finance Assistant

About the Embassy of Canada to the Netherlands

Located in The Hague, the Embassy of Canada to the Netherlands plays a crucial diplomatic role in advancing Canadian interests in the Netherlands and at Hague-based international organizations while fostering strong bilateral relations, facilitating trade and investment opportunities, providing consular services, and promoting cooperation across various fields.

Summary of Duties

The Embassy of Canada to the Netherlands is looking for a Program Finance Assistant to work closely with our Commercial Counsellor and other members of the commercial team, supporting financial management activities, and ensuring the smooth operation of our commercial team.

What you'll do

• Financial management:You will oversee budget allocations, process payments, manage contracts, and handle procurement procedures with finesse and accuracy.
• Team support: You will be the backbone of our commercial team, facilitating the team’s operations, taking care of administrative tasks and also ensuring compliance with financial regulations and guidelines.
• Flexibility: You may be called upon to extend your support to various Embassy programs, adapting your duties as necessary to meet programmatic needs and objectives, like helping to arrange trade shows, visits and other diplomatic events.

What we can offer you

Dynamic Environment: Work with great colleagues in a strong team where no two days are the same. Current ability to work from home for up to one day per week.

Global Impact: Make a real difference in the world by helping to advance Canada's diplomacy and Canada-Netherlands cooperation, particularly in areas related to innovation and climate change.

Professional Growth: Opportunities for professional development and learning within a supportive team environment.

Benefits: We offer a competitive annual salary and pension package. (You will be responsible for paying your own taxes). A work laptop and phone will be provided. The starting salary increases annually, contingent on positive performance.

You need to have (Essential Qualifications)

• Education: Diploma from a recognized university or vocational institute (HBO), or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.

• Language: An advanced level of English.

• Experience: At least one year of recent combined experience in administrative services, including budgets and/or accounting, office clerical duties, and logistics.

Candidates will initially be screened against the essential qualifications relating to education, language, knowledge, and experience. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter and CV how they meet each of these essential qualifications.

We want to know (Rated Requirements)

• Your Prioritization Skills. How do you handle multiple projects and tasks within a fast-paced environment?

• Your Compliance Savvy. What have been your experiences navigating procurement procedures and ensuring compliance with financial regulations?

• Your Collaboration Approach. How would you collaborate with our commercial team to ensure smooth operations while maintaining financial integrity?

• Your Adaptability. What are some situations where you have adapted your duties to meet changing programmatic needs?

• Your Problem-Solving Skills. How would you handle conflicting priorities between budget constraints and programmatic needs?

The Rated Requirements relating to knowledge, abilities and competencies will also be assessed. Methods of assessment may include, but are not limited to, a written examination, an oral interview, role-play, practical tests, references, presentations and/or psychometric assessment.

It would also be helpful for you to have (Asset Qualifications)

• Proficiency in Financial Software. Experience with financial software such as SAP, Oracle, Sage, etc., would be advantageous in efficiently managing financial activities.

• Tech Savviness. Familiarity with Office 365 Suite tools (SharePoint, Teams, MS Lists, etc.) is considered an asset for enhancing communication and collaboration within the team.

• CRM Familiarity. Knowledge of Client Relationship Management software such as MS Dynamics, Salesforce, PitchBook, would be beneficial in supporting client interactions and business development efforts.

• French and Dutch. Fluency (reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking) in French and in particular Dutch – or at least a willingness to learn – would be helpful so you can communicate effectively with the team’s various contacts.

• International Experience. Prior experience working in an international context is valued, as it brings a global perspective to our team and operations.

• Knowledge of Canada and Canadian Business Practices. Understanding Canadian business practices and market trends would strengthen contributions to our objective of promoting Canadian interests.

Preference may be given to candidates who also meet the Asset Qualifications

Organisational Needs:

In support of the Clerk’s Call to Action, candidates who self-declare as member of the following employment equity groups will be considered first: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

Operational Requirements

• Hours of work. 37.5 hours per week, 5 days a week (7.5 hours per day).
• Overtime. You may be required to work compensated overtime on occasion; Preference will be given to applicants who have flexibility in their hours of work.
• Travel: Occasional travel within the Netherlands and/or on rare occasions internationally may be required.

How to apply

Are you ready to join a dynamic team dedicated to making a difference for our partners and for the world?

• Please complete the online application form and submit your cover letter and C.V. in English or French.

• Do not include personal data such as; age, date of birth, marital status, family status or a picture in your application form, CV nor cover letter. Please only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the job poster.

• Please submit a cover letter in English or French explaining why you are interested in the position and how your previous experience applies to this position. Candidates must demonstrate concisely in their cover letter how they meet all essential qualifications. Applications which do not include the requested documents or information in the CV or cover letter will be rejected.

• Candidates who are unable to submit their application due to technical difficulties can contact us directly through LES-E-Recruitment-LDN@international.gc.ca prior to the closing date.

The Fine Print and Additional Information:

Area of Selection/Eligibility

This position is open to candidates currently residing in the Netherlands, who hold current documentation allowing them to work in the Netherlands without restriction, who meet all of the essential requirements stated, and whose applications are received by the closing date.

Candidates must have permission to work legally in the Netherlands. Please note that the Embassy of Canada does not sponsor work permits directly or indirectly.

The Government of Canada is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse sections of the community. In order to achieve a representative workforce, selection may be prioritized based on qualified candidates self-declaring as being a member of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. Candidates will be considered based on merit.

Values and Ethics

• Some accommodations can be made for physical and cognitive disabilities. The Government of Canada is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse sections of the community. Candidates will be considered based on merit.
• The Government of Canada is committed to employment equity. In order to achieve a representative workforce, selection may be prioritized based on qualified candidates self-declaring as being a member of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities.
• All Government of Canada employee activities are governed by the Government of Canada’s Code of Values and Ethics.
• Our organization offers an inclusive workplace where respect, teamwork, and collaboration are part of our culture. Canada's missions abroad are committed to promoting and supporting an environment free from harassment and discrimination, as well as encouraging and supporting employees to learn and develop their skills and competencies.

Conditions of Employment

• Before an offer of employment can be made, candidates must provide a local address in the Netherlands as proof of residence, as this will appear on the offer letter;
• Any job offer is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the ability to obtain and maintain a Reliability security screening (including a criminal record and credit check);
• Candidates must have a valid work authorization covering the entire employment period. If the employment is indeterminate, the work authorization should be permanent or itself lead to a permanent work authorization.

Important Notes

• Please do not use a tablet or cell phone to submit your application, as mobile browsers are not supported by our on-line portal.
• Only applications submitted in one of the official languages of Canada will be accepted (English or French). Candidates are entitled to participate in the recruitment process in the official language of their choice and to indicate their preferred official language in their application.
• Communication for this process will be sent via email. Candidates who apply to this vacancy should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users and regularly check their email, including spam folders.
• Reference checks will be sought for candidates that reach the interview stage and may form part of the selection process.
• The Embassy of Canada in the Netherlands does not reimburse any travel costs to and from interviews/exams nor does it reimburse any relocation costs.
• Candidates requiring any special assistance in attending exams or interviews are requested to inform us.
• The results of this recruitment process may also be used to establish an eligibility list of qualified candidates for similar term, indeterminate part-time or full-time openings at the Embassy of Canada in the Netherlands which might arise in the 12 months following the completion of this recruitment process.
• If you have any questions at any stage of the recruitment process, please send an email to: LES-E-Recruitment-LDN@international.gc.ca

For the French version of this vacancy click here.