A day with… Hammond Sarpong
Our colleagues at Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) work on a wide range of projects that are essential for our future. But who are these professionals and what impact do they have internationally? In this article, we introduce Hammond Sarpong (47 years old).
Since June 2024, he has been strengthening the team at the Rijkswaterstaat office in Brussels (Rijkswaterstaat Bureau Brussel) and making a valuable daily contribution to international projects that improve water management and infrastructure in the Netherlands and Europe.
Major step
Sarpong’s induction period at the Brussels office is a major step on his path to a new position. The financial expert moved to the Netherlands from Ghana 32 years ago, studied business economics, and worked as an advisor at the then Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK). But he felt unchallenged there. He wanted to use his financial expertise to build bridges between countries.
‘The work at EZK was certainly important,’ he explains, ‘but I missed the dynamics of larger, international projects. The opportunity to make a real difference. At Rijkswaterstaat, projects also revolve around climate change, mobility, and water safety. Issues that are important everywhere, not just in the Netherlands. When I saw a job vacancy at the Brussels Office, I thought: yes, that’s where I really want to work.’
New challenge
The international aspect of Rijkswaterstaat seemed like a fantastic way to find more variety and satisfaction in his work. At the Brussels Office, everything revolves around supporting European projects, from obtaining subsidies for infrastructure projects to complying with EU regulations. ‘It’s fascinating to see how different countries deal with the same challenges in water management and infrastructure. And to find a way to get everyone on the same page.’
Sarpong is currently preparing for a job as a consultant. He supports other consultants, prepares reports, manages project websites, and ensures that projects run smoothly. One example is a project in Malta, where the Brussels office is sharing knowledge from Rijkswaterstaat with Malta’s national environmental regulator in order to improve the island’s coastal protection working methods. ‘My job is to ensure that the project stays within budget and that payments are made correctly. I also help to prepare reports that account for the money we receive from the EU.’
Dynamic and interesting work
He considers international cooperation to be one of the most exciting aspects of his intended job. ‘As a consultant, you are often travelling to partner meetings in different countries. You exchange knowledge and maintain contacts with international organisations that focus on water safety, the environment, and infrastructure at both national and international level. It also helps you to stay informed about EU regulations on these topics. This makes the process of getting project proposals approved more efficient, because you are always aware of the latest developments.’
He already feels closely involved in projects such as those in Malta. ‘I really enjoy the process. It’s fascinating to see how other countries deal with the same challenges. A great deal of flexibility and adaptability is required, but that is precisely what makes working at Rijkswaterstaat so dynamic and interesting for me.’
Interested in working on international projects at Rijkswaterstaat? Discover vacancies here.