Netherlands Embassy Looking for Liaison Officer PIB CNRE for KSA in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Full Time

Job Description
BackgroundOn 29 September 2023, the covenant Climate Neutral Real Estate ? Gulf Region was mutually signed by the Netherlands government and third parties. It entails a Public Private Partnership between the Netherlands government, private companies and knowledge institutions. More specifically it concerns a Partners for International Business (PIB) activity with a specific action plan. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) executes the PIB program as commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The First Secretary of the Netherlands Embassy in KSA, Mr Auke Wibaut, further ?First Secretary? represents RVO for all activities implemented in KSA under this activity.The above mentioned covenant runs from 29 September 2023 till 29 September 2026. It?s objective is to position the Dutch sustainable building sector in the Gulf Region on the theme of helping local real estate to become climate neutral and/or more energy efficient. In brief, the covenant aims to establish leadership to achieve net zero buildings in desert climates, by positioning a wide range of Dutch technologies that work together to achieve this.The first year focusses on making the Dutch technologies known through participation in amongst others the Big5 Construct exhibition in Riyadh in February 2024, augmented with on-going liaison support for establishing board level relations in real estate, while a local pilot building and first commercial contracts are established, as well as understanding the sustainable finance options. The second year focusses on successful completion of the first contracts and obtaining more contracts for the same clients, including an MOU, to get deeper involved with professional associations and universities and support a first sustainable finance project in KSA. The third year aims to expand to broaden the network in the country.Figure below: overview main solutions in the Dutch sustainable building sectorWhat are we looking forTo help position the Netherlands sector and the cluster, gain market access and support the cluster achieving its objectives, a liaison officer will be appointed and contracted for a period from 28 January 2024 until 30 November 2024, with possible extensions, and be stationed in Riyadh. During the period, the total anticipated working days ranges from are 25 – 35.The liaison serves two interests:1. To support and position the Dutch sustainable building sector in KSA.The activities are concentrated especially on networking and influencing. The liaison, in cooperation with the Dutch government/representation abroad, tries to gain access to the decision makers and companies. The liaison is focal point for local governments, research institutions and possible future business partners and identifies opportunities for the sector in general.2. To support companies.The liaison identifies opportunities for the group of companies. He/she is focussed on connecting the group of companies with the sustainable building and sustainable financesectors and real estate companies in KSA. (NB: If the liaison wishes to operate as a commercial agent for the individual companies, for example negotiating individual contracts, the liaison shall seek prior approval of the CNRE cluster).It is important that the liaison closely cooperates with the Dutch Embassy and the group of companies and obtains information on the Dutch sector and the group of companies.The liaison is physically placed outside or ? depending on the added value and available office space – within the Dutch embassy?s office.For this contract the liaison will plan and report his/her activities with/to the Netherlands Embassy in Riyadh and he/she will execute the activities mainly in Riyadh, but with possible travel all over Saudi ArabiaSpecific activitiesThe activities of the liaison are mainly focussed on:a. To initialise and follow up on projects and business opportunities:o Analyse the real estate sector and monitor developments within the sector with the aim of identifying and/or developing specific business prospects or leads for the Netherlands and the cluster (including tenders):? Identify and provide relevant policies, legislation and regulations (local, regional and national) for the Dutch sector and the cluster, related to the covenant;? Identify and map possible technical issues and constraints;o Deliver every two months market reports, newsletters and/or updated information on sustainable real estate projects, sustainable building technologies and sustainable finance for real estate, for a possible covenant-website and ;o Provide all necessary input to the First Secretary to ensure effective and efficient decision making with regard to the planning and organisation of activities;o Support of the First Secretary in all relevant activities with regard to the promotion of the relevant sector, for example answering trade enquiries, providing addresses and other information.b. To lobby and network:o Create and maintain a network of contacts and active lobbying to acquire relevant information;o Identify the relevant authorities (national, regional, local), organisations (branch, research and knowledge institutes, universities) and commercial parties (business partners, banks and other financial institutions), both in the Netherlands and KSA;o Act as a broker and point of contact for above mentioned parties and the cluster;o Select (by strategic analysis), arrange and participate in meetings with (potential new) authorities/stakeholders/(business)partners;o Set up a database of contacts and their specific field of interest.c. To execute promotional activities:o Promote ?Climate Neutral Real Estate? as a solution to reach net zero in the local desert climate.o Promote ?Holland Branding? and the Netherlands ?Unique Selling Position? (macro, meso/sector, micro/cluster);o Support and organise promotional activities, within the context of the PIB program;o Represent the Dutch sector and the cluster during expositions, missions, roadshows and other trade events, invite potential useful commercial, government and media contacts, etc.;o Deliver input for the development and implementation of the Climate Neutral Real Estate and Holland Branding strategy of the Dutch sector and the cluster;o Guide and supervise the execution and implementation of the Climate Neutral Real Estate and Holland Branding strategy and monitor the expedience for the Dutch sector and the cluster;o Support incoming and outgoing visits/delegations where necessary.d. Other activities:o Prepare and follow up on trade fair participation, seminars, missions etc.;o Report every two months to the First Secretary, the cluster and the program manager PIB, including written result-oriented activity reports;o Facilitate the invoicing procedure related to PIB activities.
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