Senior Policy Officer Energy Transition and Climate Finance
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.
The India – NL cooperation on energy and climate is expanding rapidly. This bilateral cooperation 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 soon.
The policy officer will drive development of the energy transition roadmap with an element of the required climate finance 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 this field. The policy officer will work in close cooperation with the embassies economic cluster, Indian government agencies, financial institutions, private sector entities, local and international partners, the IFI’s, Dutch development bank and Dutch line ministries.
Description of Duties:
Policy Support
- To contribute to the development of the policy and priorities of the Netherlands Government for India, aimed at international cooperation and positioning of Netherlands private sector and knowledge institutes; ensure collaborative initiatives align with the policies and objectives of the participating governments;
- The policy officer will be dedicated to the need for developing a Netherlands – India roadmap for financing energy transition and climate mitigation. This roadmap will align with national and international climate commitments and facilitate identification of transparent and risk averse investment opportunities in the Sustainability sector in India;
- The officer will contribute to development of policy advice on needs, opportunities, risks and evolution of clean energy transition finance.
- The officer will provide strategic cross sectoral guidance to relevant internal and external stakeholders on sustainable finance including relevant mechanisms, tools, market access, associated trends and impacts;
- The officer will facilitate bilateral partnerships to further development of innovative finance mechanisms, identify and address bottlenecks and influence policy making to enable adoption;
- These partnerships will aim to optimize resource allocation and maximize climate benefits. The officer will therefore 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.
- Initiate and maintain a network across key stakeholders of the sustainable finance value chain in India;
- Leverage relevant sustainable finance connections among the Dutch, EU and multilateral stakeholders (MDBs, IFIs,
- Private sector companies, government organisations, etc.);
- Regular contacts with the relevant line ministries in the Netherlands, such as MinEZK, MinBuZa, and RVO;
- Consulting and supporting the internal NL economic Network India, heads of embassy sections on wishes and opportunities on sustainable finance;
- Actively participate and proactively contribute to internal and EU Delegation in India meetings and activities on
- Sustainable Finance.
- 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 policy outcomes as highlighted above through delivery of cross sectoral government to government dialogues and partnerships in set timelines;
- Contribute to research and knowledge products to mobilise resources, attract, facilitate and position Dutch Climate funding. To be delivered through reports, policy briefs and case studies on the relevant area of operation based on comprehensive financial analysis, studying literature, attending seminars, formal and informal meetings;
- Prepare, plan and organize 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/ sustainability sector. Where required the officer will also deliver targeted workshops to enhance understanding of climate finance concepts and best practices;
- 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.
C.2 CONTACTS
- International organisations like World Bank, International Energy Agency, European Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations and the European Union;
- With Indian and Dutch government representatives and other authorities, business organizations and business community;
- 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 organisations: TERI, WRI and CSIR.
- With colleagues of the Economic Network India (ENI) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, 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;
C.3 KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS / JOB REQUIREMENTS
Level of education: professional post graduate level in Climate Policy/ Economics / Energy security / Environmental Studies
Level of experience: At least 8 years
Knowledge:- Proven expertise in climate economics and policy advocacy sector in India. Experience in market analysis and sustainable finance mechanisms (green bonds, carbon markets, etc.) is an added advantage;
- Familiarity with climate / sustainable finance, project finance and international climate finance mechanisms. Willingness to develop expertise on sustainable financial mechanisms such as green bonds, carbon markets and public – private partnerships especially in clean energy investments;
- 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;
- Ability to conduct critical analysis of policy and climate finance flows;
- Knowledge of general training methods and techniques for drawing up project plans and performing evaluations, and skill in using them;
- Good networks across stakeholders of the sustainable finance value chain in India;
- Knowledge on latest developments in climate and energy policy, clean energy developments, partnerships, NET0 goals at an India, Netherlands and global scale;
- Familiar with roles and functions of Diplomatic Missions in the area of economic diplomacy;
- Ability to translate insights and information into policy recommendations, plans and reports;
- 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)
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 Bangalore 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.
The team of the Economic Department comprises the Economic Counsellor and Head of the Department, a Second Secretary, and four 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 Bangalore, the Netherlands Business Support Offices in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad and the Honorary Consuls in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow. Together they form the Trade Network India (TNI), coordinated by the Economic Counsellor.
E. 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.
Salary and benefits: 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.
Applicants who are interested in the position and wish to apply for it can send their application (CV and cover letter) by email to nde-az-hr@minbuza.nl no later than January 15, 2024.