International Liaison Officer

Corporate Strategy & Accounts (CSA) is the department of Wageningen University & Research in which knowledge and expertise are bundled for the development of WUR-wide strategy and its translation into policy for education, research and value creation, nationally and internationally. CSA supports the implementation of the international ambitions of Wageningen University & Research. CSA does so by maintaining existing relationships and facilitating and developing new international activities for Wageningen University & Research in the field of research, education and value creation.

The international relations are coordinated by liaison managers who are responsible for specific regions (i.e. Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Latin America, Middle East) and specific stakeholders (i.e. science partners, multi-lateral development banks, UN organisations). The liaison managers are expected to:

• Develop and maintain a network with relevant parties, such as knowledge institutions, multilateral agencies, governmental bodies, embassies, NGO’s, business partners and funding agencies.
• Proactively identify new opportunities for international activities for Wageningen University & Research.
• Profile Wageningen University & Research internationally.
• Facilitate collaboration between scientists of Wageningen University & Research and (potential) partners; and
• Provide strategic advice to WUR management on international developments and the arising opportunities and challenges.

The activities focus on promising areas or countries within that region (in terms of societal, academic and economic impact), based on a strategic plan for that region. In WUR’s international activities the importance of the Middle East and Africa regions is growing and at the same time there is more (need for) interaction with multilateral partners like the United Nations organisations, Multilateral Development Banks and international donors. Therefore, CSA wants to strengthen activities of WUR in these regions and with these stakeholders. The activities are embedded in a wider international strategy of Wageningen University & Research, that has strong ties with national and European policies.

CSA is looking for an international Liaison Officer with a focus on the Middle East region while also working on activities in Africa and with multilateral organisations. You will closely work together with other liaison officers to play an active role in setting up and maintaining strategic relations.

You will support the implementation of the international ambitions of Wageningen University & Research to further increase its international activities. In close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, you will build/develop effective and efficient partnerships and networks and link them with relevant partners of Wageningen University & Research to increase our societal impact. You will closely interact with the employees of Wageningen University & Research who are active in the Middle East or Africa region or have an interest to become active. You will report to the Director of Corporate Strategy & Accounts.

The tasks of the international liaison officer are to:

• Contribute to the development of the international strategy of Wageningen University & Research.
• Act as liaison:
  
  • internally between researchers active in the regions, working with the specific partners, with international liaison colleagues.
  • externally between WUR and relevant stakeholders (knowledge & educational institutions, national authorities, embassies, donors).
• Together with the colleague liaison officers, draft engagement strategies for existing or potential partners/partners and facilitate their implementation.
• Advise the Executive Board and the WUR Management Board on international developments that are of strategic importance to WUR and on (new) strategic partnerships.
• Manage existing and develop new contacts with organisations and networks that are relevant for intensifying the international activities of Wageningen University & Research.
• Act as entry point for financers and (donor)organizations with the interest to initiate or increase activities with WUR.
• Organise internal and external science-policy dialogues.
• Active participation in receiving international delegations.
• Initiate, stimulate or facilitate initiatives between Wageningen University & Research and external partners.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 4,741.- and € 7,068.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). Further growth and development within this position is possible (max scale 13). We offer a temporary contract for one year for 36 hours per week with the perspective of a permanent position after proven performance. If you are an internal candidate, your current contract will serve as the basis.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.