The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan is looking for a Trade Officer Expo and Energy.

Do you have what it takes to make the Dutch contribution to the Osaka Expo 2025 a success? Are you interested in Sustainability and especially Circular Chemistry, Energy Transition and Climate Action? If you like organizing events, can contribute to trade promotion from the Netherlands to Japan by creating a large network with Japanese companies and institutes, identify good partners for Dutch companies and spot trade opportunities, then you could be our new Trade Officer Expo and Energy. This job requires commitment, persistence and the ability to work with a range of contacts and partners across different cultures and international borders, with Japanese and Dutch companies and organizations within a governmental environment. Fluency in both English and Japanese is a must.

Main Tasks:

The Trade Officer Expo and Sustainability is expected to:

1. Organise trade related events (trade missions, seminars, etc) as part of the Road2Osaka and during the Expo Osaka 2025 covering multiple sectors.
2. Work together with the colleagues responsible for sustainability and energy transition to (co-)organise trade related events in the field of circular chemistry.
3. Support Dutch companies working in the field of circular chemistry with market information, relevant developments, contacts, advice on market entry strategies as well as collective and individual matchmaking.
4. Liaise with organisations in the Netherlands and Japan on the planning and implementation of Road2Osaka events and events during the Expo.

Success factors for the position are the increase in trade between Dutch and Japanese businesses and organizations especially in the field of circular chemistry as well as co-organising a number of events in 2023, 2024 and 2025 as part of the Dutch contribution to the Expo 2025 in Osaka. Although the position is located in the Economic Section of the Embassy in Tokyo, you will work extensively with colleagues of different sections (economic, cultural, political) as well as with the staff of the Consulate General in Osaka.

The ideal candidate:

• likes organizing trade related events and missions
• develops and maintains a network of contacts in Japan and the Netherlands and using this network you can identify opportunities and generate leads for collaboration between Dutch and Japanese companies
• takes initiative when spotting (business) opportunities and pro-actively develops new ideas
• is able to give presentations in front of large groups of people, either from the government or business community and represent the interests of the Netherlands and Dutch companies.

Required Skills & Knowledge

• University or comparable level
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience, preferably in the field trade promotion, or in the private sector, preferably related to Energy Transition or event organisation
• Fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking)
• Fluency in Japanese (writing, reading and speaking)
• Knowledge of the Dutch language is a plus
• IT skills (MS Office, CRM systems), use of social media

Competencies:

• Ability to think analytically
• Ability to communicate orally
• Ability to network
• Ability to plan and organize
• Ability to take initiative
• Result oriented
• Integrity

Conditions of employment:

• Salary scale will be in accordance with function and experience.  
• Benefits are according the local staff regulations of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which are in line with the regulations of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The position might require staying in Osaka for longer periods, especially during the Expo itself in 2025. 

The successful candidate will be offered an employment contract for 12 months with a 2 month probation period. Gross salary is between JPY 533,889 and JPY 800,836, depending on experience, qualifications, etc. The position is created for a maximum period of 5 years. Therefore the cumulative period of fixed-term contracts cannot exceed 5 years. After 5 years there is no possibility for extension of the contract or transition into a permanent contract at the embassy in the current position.

Selection procedure:
Candidates are required to submit their motivation letter and resume in English to Pieter Terpstra, Economic Affairs Counsellor (TOK-RECRUIT@minbuza.nl). The deadline for submission is January 16, 2023.

Candidates whose letter and resume are considered to match the formal requirements will be invited for a first interview. Should there be sufficient mutual interest, the candidates will be invited for a second interview.

More information:
If you would like more information regarding the content of this position please contact Pieter Terpstra, Economic Affairs Counsellor (pieter.terpstra@minbuza.nl).