150309 Job description Tbilisi Policy Officer 2015

Vacancy announcement, Netherlands Embassy Tbilisi
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, 18 March, end of day, to
TBI@minbuza.nl.
Applications must include a CV (max. 2 pages) and a letter of motivation (max. 1 page).
--Job title: Temporary position: Policy officer
Unit/mission: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tbilisi, Georgia
Job level: 9/0
Number of hours: 37
Expected starting date: As soon as possible
Contract duration: One year with possibility of extension
General features of job
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The policy officer works together with colleagues in the policy section to effectively
help implement the Embassy’s Rule of Law and Human Rights civil society support
programmes.
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The policy officer conducts policy analysis and translates this analysis into proposals
for specific action by the embassy.
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The policy officer supports the Embassy’s political reporting and analysis to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hague.
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He/She works within the Embassy’s broader team to carry out Dutch foreign policy
and promote deeper political, economic and cultural relations between Georgian and
the Netherlands.
Tasks
Description of tasks:
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Contribute to the proper management of on-going Dutch support to democratization
and civil society development in Georgia and Armenia, with a focus on the human
rights and Rule of Law sectors, inter alia by:
o Conceptualising internal appraisal memoranda and contracts for new
activities;
o Monitoring progress of activities and contracts and implementing all
necessary reporting obligations as required (including maintaining internal
administration);
o Representing the embassy in contacts with relevant partners (implementing
agencies, government institutions, NGO’s, other donors).
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Contribute to transparency and public information provision relating to Dutch
development assistance in Georgia and Armenia by:
o Posting information about Embassy projects and events on the embassy’s
website and Facebook page;
o Provision of information to organisations that approach the embassy with
questions on Dutch assistance to Georgia and Armenia.
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Independently follow and analyse aspects of economic, social and institutional
developments in Georgia and Armenia that are of relevance to Dutch assistance
o Regularly synthesizing information from NGO’s, colleagues and other contacts
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into clear reports for the Embassy/ Ministry, on topics such as: elections and
politics, economic developments, human rights and bilateral relations.
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Prepare and accompany missions by the (D)HoM / Embassy staff and/or from the
Netherlands to (regions of) Georgia and Armenia
Working environment:
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The Dutch Embassy in Tbilisi is a relatively small embassy, servicing the bilateral
relationship with Georgia and Armenia.
The staff of the embassy consists of 3 expatriate staff and 13 local staff members.
The policy officer will work directly in consultation with the Ambassador and the
Deputy Head of Mission, but will also work closely with several colleagues in the
policy section of the Embassy.
The Embassy has an annual budget of approximately €1 million for support in the
area of human rights and Rule of Law, while further support comes through budgets
and organisations funded centrally in the Hague. The policy officer will work primarily
with one other colleague in implementing these programmes.
Given the broad range of responsibilities of the Embassy, staff members of the
embassy are expected to support each other in a wide variety of tasks. Staff
members are expected to work together to carry out specific projects beyond their
day-to-day tasks as they arise, such as organizing visits of officials or delegations.
Job requirements:
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The policy officer must be able to work independently and ready to give well prepared
and action-oriented advice to the Deputy Head of Mission / Ambassador on new and
on-going activities. Prior experience in a similar role is highly recommended.
She/he is a client oriented person, flexible and focused on results. He/she must work
with an eye for detail and quality and will take initiative to pragmatically address
problems. The policy officer is a keen analyst with the ability to interpret events from
an unbiased perspective. She/he is organised and able to juggle many different short
and long-term projects and tasks at the same time.
The policy adviser will be a flexible team player and ready to support fellow members
of the embassy team in their tasks, thereby contributing to the good working
atmosphere at the embassy. The policy adviser is a social person with an easy ability
to network and build professional relationships. She/he has a keen sense of integrity
and confidentiality.
Specific characteristics of the successful candidate include:
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BA / MA (preferably) in the field of Political Science / Economics / Public
Administration / International Relations or another relevant field.
Relevant working experience in either implementing bilateral development assistance
programmes. Knowledge / experience in the field of Human Rights or
democratisation will be a particular asset.
Sound knowledge of recent developments in Georgia and Armenia in the fields of
governance, institutional development, macroeconomic trends, politics and human
rights – or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge.
Knowledge and experience regarding EU political structures and EU legislation, the
Council of Europe, OSCE, UN agencies and other international actors in Georgia and
Armenia. Knowledge of Dutch legislation and Dutch foreign policy will be an asset;
Excellent social skills that will enable the policy officer to further develop and
maintain a broad network of relationships among members of civil society, politics,
press and the diplomatic corps.
Knowledge of capacity building methods and techniques and methods. Experience
drawing up project plans and performing evaluations.
Skill in translating insights and information into advice, plans and reports and in
assessing their policy and financial implications.
Excellent ability to express her/himself verbally and in writing,
Excellent command of the English language, verbally and in writing. Knowledge of
Georgian, Russian and/or Dutch will be considered an asset.
Excellent computer skills.
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Experience dealing with administrative procedures with regard to projects and
activities.
Willingness to travel to regions in Georgia and Armenia.
Salary indication and other working benefits:
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Monthly salary minimum GEL 3.691, depending on prior experience.
13th month vacation bonus.
Support for personal growth in the form of language courses and professional
trainings.
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