A. BASIC DETAILS OF THE JOB
Job title: Senior Policy Officer, Climate financing and Energy transition
Mission: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at New Delhi, India
Job level: 09
Number of working hours per week: 38
B. GENERAL FEATURES OF THE JOB
The position is based in the Economic Department of the embassy in New Delhi. The Senior Policy Officer will work under the guidance of the coordinator for the energy and climate sector at the embassy.
The cooperation on energy and climate between India and the Netherlands started three years ago. The programme is expanding rapidly. This bilateral cooperation on energy/climate will be further intensified and will broadly focus on supporting India’s energy transition and green growth commitments, especially in clean energy and climate financing. A new MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will be signed this year and a fresh phase collaboration with NITI Aayog.
The policy officer will drive development of the energy and climate finance roadmap along with relationship development with key stakeholders in India, multilateral institutions and International Financial Institutions (IFIs). Given the scope and rapid development of the energy transition in India, it will be of crucial importance to build new coalitions/partnerships in the field of the energy transition and climate finance. Work in close cooperation with the innovation department, Indian government agencies, financial institutions, private sector entities, local and international partners, the IFI’s, Dutch development bank and Dutch line ministries
C.1 DUTIES AND RESULT AREAS
Description of Duties:
- The policy officer is dedicated to the need for climate funding for enabling energy transition. Hence, the policy officer will develop comprehensive energy transition pathways and climate finance strategies aligned with national and international climate objectives to facilitate and drive Dutch climate funding;
- Contributing, on the basis of study of literature and stakeholder engagement, to in-depth analysis and advice on the clean energy transition, climate finance trends and policy concerned. Successively the policy officer translates this into policy advice;
- Strategic guidance is provided to the Dutch climate/energy sector, related businesses and relevant stakeholders on market access, economic and commercial developments in the Indian market;
- Identifying, developing and communicating business opportunities; identifying bottlenecks, risk assessments and contributing to solutions like financing structures, investment plans to optimize resource allocation and maximize climate benefits;
- Support development of a framework to assess financial viability, climate impact, energy security implications and green washing risks of current projects and proposed programs and initiatives seeking climate finance.
Implementation support:
- Undertake comprehensive financial analysis in the climate finance sector to mobilize resources, attract investments, facilitate and position Dutch Climate funding and map innovative finance mechanisms to ensure effective utilization. These mechanisms are expected to overcome bottlenecks and enable efficient and impactful energy and climate transition in India;
- The policy officer prepares, plans and organizes trade and strategic missions to India and the Netherlands, as well as trade fairs, seminars, business-to-business meetings and networking events;
- On the trade and business development side, the Officer will respond to trade and investment inquiries of Dutch climate/energy sector. Where required the officer will also deliver targeted workshops to enhance understanding of climate finance concepts and best practices;
- Strategically design and deliver concept notes on relevant focus areas in coordination with heads of embassy sections and stakeholders from Netherlands line ministries;
- Facilitate delivery of cross sectoral government to government dialogue and partnerships in set timelines through diverse engagement activities;
- Facilitation of a favorable business climate for trade and investment along with providing support and advice to Dutch companies seeking business in India;
- Contribute to research and knowledge products through reports, policy briefs and case studies on the relevant area of operation based on studying literature, attending seminars, formal and informal meetings;
- Translation of overall ministerial policy frameworks into proposals for specific action by the embassy. The officer will also take decisions about the quality of the analysis of collected data and its communication to relevant stakeholders in line ministries in Netherlands;
Networking:
- Consulting with heads of embassy sections on wishes and opportunities within the policy area concerned;
- Developing, maintaining and making use of a relevant network among the Dutch, Indian and multilateral climate/energy sector, such as private sector companies, think tanks, knowledge institutions, government organizations and line ministries;
- Participate in the energy sector call of the embassy network;
- Regular contacts with the relevant line ministries in the Netherlands, such as MinEZK, MinBuZa, and RVO;
- Participate in the climate finance focus group of the EU Delegation in New Delhi
C.2 CONTACTS
- With colleagues of the Economic Network India (ENI) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, as well as the Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Lucknow and Kolkata;
- With the wider Embassy team, in particular the Political, Public Diplomacy and Culture Department;
- With Indian and Dutch government representatives and other authorities, business organizations and business community;
- International organizations like World Bank, International Energy Agency, European Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations and the European Union;
- Netherlands line ministries of Economics and Climate change (EZK), Foreign Affairs (BuZA) and Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO);
- Indian ministries like MNRE, MoP, MoPNG, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs;
- Specifically the research organizations: TERI, WRI and CSIR.
C.3 KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS / JOB REQUIREMENTS
Level of education: professional post graduate level in Climate or Sustainable Finance / Energy systems and transitions / Environmental Studies/ Energy and Climate Economics.
Level of experience: At least 8 years
Knowledge:
- Proven expertise in energy transition sector in India and associated policies, stakeholders and current / future trends;
- Strong knowledge of climate finance, investment banking, project finance and international climate finance mechanisms including familiarity with sustainable financial mechanisms such as green bonds, carbon markets and public – private partnerships especially in clean energy investments;
- Being familiar with the Water – food – energy nexus would be appreciated;
- Good knowledge and understanding of Indian government structure, relevant legislation, regulations and policy priorities including an understanding of relevant ministerial frameworks and legislation in the policy area concerned;
- Being updated on the latest developments in climate and energy policy, clean energy developments, partnerships, NET0 goals at an India, Netherlands and global scale;
- Knowledge of general training methods and techniques for drawing up project plans and performing evaluations, and skill in using them;
- Familiar with roles and functions of Diplomatic Missions in the area of economic diplomacy;
Skills:
- Ability to translate insights and information into recommendations, plans and reports and assessing the policy consequences;
- Skills in independently identifying strategic opportunities and bottlenecks and taking initiatives to exploit or resolve them with innovative solutions;
- Ability to work independently; making own choices and decisions about approach and way of working based on formulated assignments;
- Good verbal and written command of Hindi and English language;
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex concepts in a clear and concise manner;
- Computer knowledge and skills (Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, E-mail, Internet;
Competencies:
- Ability to think analytically;
- Ability to Network;
- Pro-active
- Flexibility;
- Team player;
- Integrity (standard competency)
Experience: Preferably 7 – 10 years of relevant working experience, in the climate / energy policy and economics sector.
D. WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Brief description of the Mission and the physical work environment:
The diplomatic, consular and business support network of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of India comprises the Embassy in New Delhi, Consulates-General in Bengaluru and Mumbai, Netherlands Business Support Offices (NBSO’s) in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad and Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow.
The Embassy in New Delhi has around 70 staff members. The Chancery of the Embassy is located within the diplomatic enclave at 6-50/F Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, 110021 New Delhi.
Brief description of the Economic Department:
The team of the Economic Department comprises the Economic Counsellor and Head of the Department, a Second Secretary, and three Policy Officers. The Senior Policy Officers will report to the Economic Counsellor. The Department plays a key role in the efforts of the Dutch government to strengthen bilateral economic relations.
The Economic Cluster constitutes of the Economic Department and the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Life Sciences and Health and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency. The Economic Counsellor is the overall coordinator. The Cluster works in close cooperation with the Consulates-General in Mumbai and Bengaluru, the Netherlands Business Support Offices in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad and the Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow. Together they form the Economic Network India (ENI), coordinated by the Economic Counsellor.
E. TYPE OF EMPLOYEE REQUIRED
A committed, self-driven and proactive team player with excellent research, critical thinking and analytical capabilities. A great sense of humour is an added value.
It would be a strongly appreciated asset if the candidate has a proven track-record in building, and expanding, new coalitions/partnerships in the field of climate financing and energy transition, including with for example government agencies, (commercial and development) banks, companies, knowledge institutions and NGO’s
F. EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
The selected candidate will be offered an employment contract for one year. Upon expiry of this contract, a two-year employment contract will be offered in case of excellent job performance. On the same condition, a three-year employment contract will be offered upon the expiry of the second employment contract. Any successive employment contract thereafter will be decided upon on a case-by-case basis.
Upon employment, the employee will be ranked in salary scale 9, the same as the job level. All ten salary scales at the Embassy comprise 16 pay numbers. The pay number assigned to the employee upon employment depends on the number of years of relevant experience. After every 12 months, the employee may be awarded one additional pay number depending on his or her job performance in the preceding 12 months. At present, salary scale 9 starts with a gross monthly salary of INR 174,714 for pay number 0 and ends with a gross monthly salary of INR 262,071 for pay number 16. Salaries are reviewed every first of January. Every December a 13th month salary is paid. Within certain restrictions 95% of necessary medical cost are reimbursed. Employees are encouraged and supported to seek further training and education to improve their skills and broaden their employability. This is paid for by the employer.
Income tax and social security premiums are to be paid by the employee in accordance with Indian Law and regulations.
APPLICATION
Applicants who are interested in the position and wish to apply for it can send their motivation letter and resume by email to nde-ea@minbuza.nl no later than 27 July 2023.
