Agricultural Advisor - Part-Time

Basic details

Network: Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN)

Job title: Agricultural Advisor

Unit/mission: LAN in Singapore

Job grade: 8

Number of hours: 30 hours per week

General features of the Agricultural Network

The Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) represents the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality (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 organizations. They form an integral part of the diplomatic network in the countries of representation. They make an essential contribution to strengthening the international position of the Netherlands in the areas of Agriculture and Nature by means of:

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

The LAN makes a contribution to strengthening of the goals as set in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular contributing to food security and to fighting climate change, as well as contributing on the international implementation of the Netherlands (LNV) strategy towards a more sustainable and circular agriculture. The Netherlands can contribute to these Goals and this strategy by the use of its excellent knowledge and technology (including starting materials) base. This is intertwined with promoting trade, attracting investments and negotiating market access for Dutch agriproducts with the authorities in the country of representation, a prominent aspect of the job.

The LAN 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 website of the embassy (ZMA).

General features of the job

• Posted at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore with primary working area in Singapore and Brunei .
• Is responsible for the implementation of a subset/special theme of the LNV policy under the direction of the Agricultural Counsellor;
• Is responsible for information gathering and provision in case of preparation of trade missions and import/export related activities. Collects, identifies, analyses, interprets and reports on information and developments in one or more LNV domains that are of importance for the development of LNV policy;
• Identifies bottlenecks in trade transactions and contributes to solutions;
• Has an understanding of the local political/administrative environment, establishes and maintains network contacts for carrying out the above tasks;
• Enters activities into Achilles (the trade and investments leads database of the Netherlands international trade network);
• Makes up draft news articles for Agroberichtenbuitenland.nl and posts for other media channels;
• Reports directly to the Agricultural Counsellor.

Actual Duties

• Is responsible for the translation of the LNV policy in the local context in Singapore and to develop a local implementation course of action under the direction of the Agricultural Counsellor
• Is responsible for the implementation of the strategic themes ‘high-tech’ urban farming and 'novel foods' in Singapore under the direction of the Agricultural Counsellor. Examples of novel food include cultured meats and alternative proteins produced with novel compounds. Novel food may also include compounds that are chemically identical to naturally occurring substances, but are produced through applications of technology (e.g. precision fermentation);
• Is responsible for the development of policy implementation plans for their area(s)/theme(s) and ensures timely execution thereof via the LAN annual plan;
• Contributes to the planning, organization and evaluation of bilateral partnership projects in relation to nature, water, environment and sustainable development;
• Is responsible for the preparation, planning, support and guidance of Dutch trade missions and other promotional activities, such as participation in fairs and exhibitions, representing LNV interests and policy. Identifies bottlenecks and makes a contribution to solutions, but also is able to identify new opportunities for the Dutch business, knowledge and technology community;
• Establishes and maintains contacts with relevant parties and holds discussions with organizations for the preparation and carrying out of missions and enabling trade transactions to proceed effectively.
• Is responsible for gathering information on the relevant area of operation by studying literature and reports, contributing to research and advising on the relevant policy, including the independent interpretation and analysis of the data collected.

Knowledge and skills

Level of education: At least educated to a higher professional graduate level

Level of experience: A minimum of 5 years of work experience required

Knowledge

• General knowledge and understanding of agriculture, forestry, nature and fisheries policy, legislation and regulations, government structure and agribusiness: general knowledge and understanding of current developments in policy domains, society and trading position of the country of representation;
• Excellent verbal and written command of the local language(s) and of English.
• A command of the Dutch language is desirable. Familiarity with and ability to adapt to Dutch culture and customs.

Skills

• Good communication and contact skills, enjoying to use social media and exploring new ways of communication;
• Capacity to build, maintain and expand a network of contacts in relevant fields;
• Skill in translating insights and information into recommendations, plans and reports and assessing the resultant policy consequences;
• Computer knowledge and skills (Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, E-mail, Internet, social media).

Competencies

• Ability to work with others
• Goal-centeredness
• Integrity
• Organizational sensitivity
• Initiative
• Environmental consciousnes
• Networking skills
• Analytical thinking
• Flexibility

Working environment

The Netherlands Agricultural Network falls within the organisational structure of the Embassy in Singapore. The Agricultural Advisor will be part of the Economic Cluster at the Embassy in Singapore, which consists of trade officers, an innovation division, a customs attaché, Startup Liaison Officer and a NFIA contingent. The Agricultural Counsellor is the overall manager of the LAN which, depending on its size, consists of one or more Agricultural Advisors and an Agricultural Support Officer or Management Assistant. There is close cooperation between LAN and the Economic Department and other departments within the Embassy Singapore and Brunei .

The network that the Netherlands has abroad (Embassy, Consulate Generals and in some cases NBSO offices) strongly emphasizes the cooperation between different departments, supporting transparent exchange of information, active search for cooperation and cross-overs between the different fields.

Contacts

• With other members of the LAN-team, members and departments in the Embassy.
• With the LAN headquarter (LAN-HQ) at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) in The Hague and with other LAN colleagues that are located elsewhere in the region or world;
• With the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in The Hague (especially with the Department for European, International and Agro-Economic Affairs, but also with the departments for phytosanitary and veterinary matters) and with other ministries and governmental agencies (like the NVWA, RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency, responsible for implementation of policy of the NL government) whenever possible;
• With Dutch exporters and investors, local companies, importers and key business figures, local ministries and other authorities, government representatives and other authorities, business organizations, professional organizations, and with multilateral organizations (e.g. FAO, World Bank) and with other diplomatic representation, in the first place representations from other EU Member States;
• With independent civil society organisations, such as NGO’s;
• With news media for public information, PR and press releases.

Employment Conditions

We offer a local contract and a competitive salary in a dynamic and international environment with good secondary conditions. The successful candidate will be offered a local contract for initially one year.

The selected candidate will be offered a salary with a pay number corresponding to the years of relevant work experience. Upgrading to the next pay number will be discussed during the annual job performance review.

Diversity and inclusivity

The Netherlands Government is an inclusive employer with a focus on diversity. We value difference, 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.

Information

For more information on the job scope please contact Emilie Rost van Tonningen, Agricultural Advisor ([email protected])

Application

Interested candidates are requested to send a cover letter and CV before 6 May 2024 addressed to [email protected], attention Joost van Uum.