Vacancy: Innovation Officer at the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Shanghai, P.R. China

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Job description:

The Netherlands Innovation Network China is a government network focused on Innovation, Technology and Science in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Its main tasks are to support and stimulate knowledge-intensive collaboration between the Netherlands and China. This is accomplished by facilitating and promoting Sino-Dutch innovation, technology and science networks, and by reporting to Dutch and Chinese stakeholders about new developments in the science and technology domain.

Duties and Activities:

The main task for the Innovation Officer is to identify opportunities for Dutch companies, universities, research institutes and government organisations for new R&D and innovation cooperation in China. A second and equally important duty is to inform stakeholders in the Netherlands about trends and developments in China in the area of innovation, technology development and science.

In order to achieve this, the Innovation Officer will undertake activities such as:

  • Create and maintain an active network with innovation-driven organisations in both China and the Netherlands
  • Organize in-depth seminars, networking events, visits of high-level government officials and experts.
  • Collect and analyse data and information on Innovation, Technology & Science developments in China and report on new trends for stakeholders in the Netherlands
  • Plan and organize incoming and outgoing missions and delegations
  • Contribute to the branding of the Netherlands as a high-tech country
  • Write reports, articles and analysis on topics pertaining to trends and developments in the field of innovation in China.

Job requirements:

Level of education: university master’s degree, preferably in engineering or natural sciences.

Level of experience: this position is open to newly graduated candidates, though 2-3 years working experience would be preferred.

  • A proactive attitude (self-starting/ independent), strategic mindset and eagerness to learn about new industries and technologies.
  • Strong networking skills (capable of actively developing, maintaining and using a professional network).
  • Good analytical skills.
  • A healthy interest in science & technology developments in a broad sense.
  • Flexible and cooperative attitude (team player).
  • Good organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Interest in Dutch innovation policy and research infrastructure. Prior knowledge of the Chinese government and research infrastructure is beneficial.
  • Sensitive to a policy and political environment.
  • Experience in scientific research is beneficial.
  • Languages: Fluency in Dutch and excellency in English is required. Chinese language skills are beneficial.

Working environment (Dutch diplomatic network):

The China network of the Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of the Embassy in Beijing and Consulates General in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing and Hong Kong.

The purpose of the Dutch diplomatic network of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in China is to manage diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and representation of the Netherlands in order to strengthen the international position in the relevant policy areas through policy support and development, and to promote and support bilateral/multilateral cooperation.

The Netherlands Innovation Network stimulates international cooperation for companies, research institutes and governmental authorities in the fields of innovation, technology and science. The network’s activities implement the international knowledge and innovation agenda of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) in the Netherlands. EZK aims to address national and global challenges through international cooperation. Please find an overview of the network’s offices worldwide: Netherlands Innovation Network.

We develop international cooperation by:

•        Providing knowledge about innovation, technology and science developments around the world.

•        Connecting to potential collaboration partners abroad.

•        Organizing innovation missions, workshops, matchmaking events and seminars abroad.

•        Identifying funding mechanisms for bi- and multilateral cooperation.

The Netherlands Innovation Network China is part of the diplomatic network of the Netherlands in China.

The Innovation Officer works in an inter-city team with colleagues in Beijing and Guangzhou. The offices work as one team and report to the Counsellor for Innovation, Technology & Science at the Dutch Embassy in Beijing. The Innovation Officer also cooperates with colleagues from other departments at the Dutch Consulate-General in Shanghai, in particular with his/her colleagues in the Consulate’s economic department and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency.

Most of the work of the Innovation Officer in Shanghai is carried out in the Yangtze river delta region, though occasionally business trips within China and to the Netherlands will be required.

Conditions of employment:

  • This position is only open for Dutch nationals.
  • Dutch nationals: The “Legal Status (Local Employees) Regulations 2020” (LSR 2020) of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is applicable to this position. The salary scale for this function is 8, ranging from RMB 26,451 to RMB 39,677 gross per month. The level will be determined according to the relevant work experience of the candidate.
  • Dutch nationals employed by the Embassy are considered ‘buitenlands belastingplichtig’ by the Dutch tax authorities. Therefore, on the gross salary of Dutch nationals, an amount will be withheld as if the employee would be tax liable in China. This amount will be paid to the Dutch tax authorities.
  • The employee and employer contributions of social security and pension premiums are paid to the employee as if these would be paid in China. With this monthly payment of currently CNY 11,000.00 net, the employee is assumed to arrange him- or herself medical care coverage, social security, housing and pension provisions.
  • The vacancy concerns a full time (40 hours/week) position with a fixed term contract for the duration of one year, starting as soon as possible. After one year an evaluation will take place, upon mutual agreement the contract can be extended for a longer period.

More information:

If you would like more information regarding the content of this position, please contact us via [email protected]. If you would like to have more information about the local employment conditions, please contact Peter Verheijen ([email protected]).

Selection procedure:

Candidates are required to submit their motivation letter and resumé in English to Taake Manning, Counsellor for Innovation, Technology and Science ([email protected]). The deadline for submission is 15th of February 2021. Candidates whose letter and resume are considered to match the formal requirements will be invited for an interview.

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