DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
The Politics, Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs (PPC) section of the Netherlands Embassy in Brasilia deals with a variety of tasks, amongst others the organization of public diplomacy and cultural activities; the funding of projects; and the gathering and providing of information regarding PPC areas through analysis and by answering incoming requests and other questions. If necessary, additional information needs to be obtained through experts within or from outside the Embassy-network. The department stays up to date on interdepartmental policy and looks for profound knowledge on issues on which the department advises. This entails a.o.: gather information regarding relevant PPC work areas, such as: (inter)national politics, human rights, culture, cultural heritage, cybersecurity, social media; public diplomacy;
provide input for policy, research and advisory purposes and to analyze and interpret this information independently;
stay informed on developments within the aforementioned department focus areas;
create and maintain a network of contacts on political affairs, human rights, culture, cultural heritage, in Brazil as well as in the Netherlands;
analyze and process incoming proposals on aforementioned subjects;
execute and supervise the project cycle of projects funded by the Embassy and keep oversight of project documents as well as evaluate (final) project reports;
develop new ideas on projects in a creative and pro-active manner;
manage the Embassy’s social media activities with other members of the network.
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Politics, Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs officer will be primarily responsible for culture, cultural heritage and social media. The second responsibility is overseeing the project cycle and that all projects (incl. public diplomacy and human rights projects) financed by the Embassy are in compliance with administrative and policy criteria. In order to perform these tasks, the officer will maintain him/herself informed about current Ministry’s regulations, procedures, policy guidelines and objectives and will maintain close contact with the regional back office (RSO, currently in Washington). Besides these priority areas, the officer will also have a supportive roll in the other areas of the department and will be asked to take an active role regarding human rights, communication and public diplomacy. In order to deliver results in the areas of culture, shared cultural heritage and social media, the officer will build and maintain a large network of stakeholders (e.g. colleagues from other Embassies, cultural institutes and cooperation platforms such as EUNIC). The Dutch Embassy is a pro-active international player and a trusted partner. The policy officer is expected to take a pro-active attitude within cooperation platforms and focus on building lasting relationships. The policy officer is also expected to frequently represent the Dutch Embassy during meetings, activities and events, when and where this is judged opportune by the department.
The officer is primarily responsible for providing the public and institutions with information and identifying their information needs, and also provides logistical and clerical support to the department. He or she can handle decisions on the information to be provided independently, makes requests to experts to provide additional information, and deals with proposals for improving communication with the public and institutions.
The officer is accountable to the head of PPC Department. The framework is determined by Embassy and ministerial policy, as well as the annual plan and RSO (back office) rules and regulations.
TASKS O.A.
Prime: Monitoring developments in the areas that are the policy officer’s responsibility: culture, cultural heritage and social media;
Second: supervise the project cycle of all PPC projects, incl. project and financial analysis and meeting deadlines of the project cycle
Other tasks:
Analyzing and answering incoming requests and questions from the public and network: assessing the importance and urgency of incoming correspondence and, on his/her own initiative and at his/her own discretion, gathering information required to deal with it;
Preparing and taking part in presentations, exhibitions and fairs;
Prepare speeches and interviews for the Ambassador;
Organizing and preparing a variety of different meetings, ensuring that meeting documents are complete, gathering relevant background information, drawing attention to matters requiring particular attention, keeping minutes, drawing up records and monitoring the progress and fulfilment of arrangements made and decisions taken;
Contribute to the organization of seminars, visits by Dutch artists or other Dutch representatives, business trips, and incoming (ministerial) missions;
Keeping abreast of ministerial policy and topics on which information is frequently requested;
Where necessary, requesting experts both in and outside the Embassy/Ministry to provide additional information;
Informing experts on the results of monitoring and analysis;
Contributing to studies and advice on the relevant policy, based on the study of literature and reports. The employee must interpret and analyse the collected information independently;
Building and maintaining a network of contacts.
In addition to theoretical specialist knowledge of and practical specialist expertise in the field of work, the employee must possess theoretical background knowledge and a more than superficial interest in matters outside his/her own field of work. The work no longer merely involves tackling issues and solving problems, but also analyzing them.
The work is carried out in accordance with broadly formulated assignments. To a large extent the employee makes his/her own choices and decisions about approach and way of work.
CONTACTS
With the public, to respond to information needs and answer specific questions;
With other staff, about the work of the PPC department;
With external parties, to coordinate and exchange information about ongoing projects;
With business and institutions, to analyze information needs and provide or request information on policy matters;
With experts in the Netherlands (e.g. DutchCulture, RCE (National Cultural Heritage Agency), ICE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Ministry of Culture, Science and Education etc.) to request additional information on policy matters and to make proposals concerning public information and reporting;
With the back office staff at RSO (currently in Washington, USA), regarding various procedural, financial and department issues (possibly confidential) to efficiently administer projects in the area of human rights, public diplomacy, shared cultural heritage and culture;
With the PPC officers of the Netherlands consulates in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo;
With the honorary consuls on issues and events in the areas of human rights, public diplomacy, shared cultural heritage or culture in their respective cities.
COMPETENCES
Result oriented
Integrity and independence
Demonstrate precision and sensitivity in execution of duties
Customer oriented
Teamwork
Planning and organizing
Pro-active and creative
LEVEL OF EDUCATION / SKILLS
University level education
3-5 years of relevant experience in two (or more) of the following areas: culture; shared cultural heritage, social media and communication or public diplomacy;
General knowledge of the Netherlands and Brazil and broad knowledge on the cultural field in Brazil, including actors, policy (legislation) and cultural heritage;
Affinity with and interest in primarily culture, shared cultural heritage and social media; and secondarily: political issues, human rights, and public diplomacy;
Fluent in Portuguese and advanced in English (equivalent to C1/C2 in Europe), both spoken and in writing. Knowledge of Dutch is desirable;
Good written and verbal communication skills;
Knowledge of producing and maintaining digital files;
General knowledge of ministerial policy (experience in the public sector is desirable).
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Embassy in Brasília is of medium size, counting 7 diplomats and 16 locally employed staff members. In close cooperation with the Consulates in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the honorary consuls and the Netherlands Business Support Offices in Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre, the Embassy commits itself to serve the interests of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (the Netherlands, Curação, Aruba and Sint Maarten) in Brazil.
The officer works directly under supervision of the first Embassy secretary (AS1) and also of the second Embassy secretary (AS2) for topics dealt with by the PPC department. The Ambassador has final responsibility for the PPC department.
The Embassy is located in a quiet Embassy area in the southern part of the capital Brasília, which can easily be reached by car. The compound, consisting of the chancery and three residencies, is modern, spacious and surrounded by green areas. Weekly staff meetings and regular department meetings and events contribute to an equal participation of all employees in the Embassy team.
STAFF MEMBER PROFILE
The mission is looking for an enthusiastic and pro-active colleague, able to handle stressful moments and juggle between the many different tasks. You communicate appropriately on all levels, maintain confidentiality and contribute to team spirit. You work independently but in close cooperation with AS1 and AS2 for definition of tasks and duties. You take initiative, seize opportunities and contribute to an ample and valuable network. Furthermore you show flexibility, team spirit, a good sense of humor and engagement in your duties.
OTHER INFORMATION
Fixed term contract according to local Brazilian labor law.
Monthly salary in scale 8 (R$ 10,834 – 16,251), depending on educational background and work experience.
In case of a non-Brazilian citizenship, the applicant is responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa and work permit. The Embassy will not facilitate.
INFORMATION, CONTACT AND APPLICATIONS
The deadline for applications is July 10, 2018.
Please send your updated CV and motivation letter to:
Mr. Bart van Zwieten, 1st Embassy Secretary/Head PPC section bra-ppc@minbuza.nl
