Regional Manager for Flevoland/Gelderland and the National Security Team

The context and the task

DTenV is at the center of one of the most politically and socially sensitive issues of our time: the return and departure of people who do not have the right to reside in the Netherlands. This work touches on security, the rule of law, and human dignity, and is under intense scrutiny from politicians, the media, and the public.

DTenV is currently undergoing a period of significant development and change. Through the reorganization of the primary process—which encompasses the full support and coordination of the departure of foreign nationals—and theNext Stepprogram, efforts are underway to achieve greater uniformity, predictability, and agility in operations. This is necessary to better cope with fluctuations in inflow, changing political frameworks, increasing chain dependency, and the need for further standardization of work processes. The goal is clear: equal treatment, careful decision-making, and professional implementation, regardless of region or case.

In this context, we are seeking a highly organized and people-oriented department manager for the Flevoland/Gelderland division and the National Security team, with proven experience in change management. A leader who understands what it means to operate in a political and administrative environment where the stakes are high, the issues are complex, and the impact of decisions is palpable. 

The role and your leadership

As Manager of Flevoland/Gelderland & the National Security Team, you will provide tactical leadership to approximately 33 full-time equivalents (FTEs), including coordinators, senior coordinators, and support staff. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of your department as well as its further development in line with the strategic direction set by the Return Implementation Directorate.

You will navigate the intersection of policy and implementation, people and results, internal management and external coordination. You will advise the Director of Return Operations and collaborate with partners in the chain of command and government agencies, with cases handled by the National Security team potentially escalating to the national or ministerial level.

You bring calm and direction to a constantly changing environment. Drawing on your experience in change management, you help shape a more structured and consistent way of working, with the goal of enhancing quality, predictability, and equitable treatment. You establish clear guidelines, act consistently, and are visible and approachable to employees.

In discussions with colleagues, partners, and executives, you are a thoughtful and level-headed conversational partner. You weigh different interests, maintain a broad perspective, and contribute to solutions that serve the best interests of people, the organization, and our social mission.

You feel at home in a political and administrative environment and understand how decision-making, timing, and due diligence all come together in that context. Colleagues see you as approachable and visible—someone who sets clear guidelines while leaving room for professional judgment. You know how important it is to act consistently, especially when interests clash or the pressure mounts.

You can see that the organization will be operating in a more structured and consistent manner in the coming period, and you know how to get employees on board with this. You explain the reasoning behind decisions, provide clarity, and build trust and professionalism step by step.

You identify with DT&V’s core values—professionalism, ownership, and collaboration—and know how to put them into practice naturally in your day-to-day work. 

What makes this position special

• You will be leading an organization with a significant social mission and high public profile.
• You will be working at the heart of the migration process, dealing with complex cases and a wide range of interests.
• You will play a key role in an organization-wide change initiative focused on standardization, predictability, and quality.
• You combine people-oriented leadership with results-oriented management.
• You work in an environment where safety, legality, and diligence must go hand in hand.

Working at DTenV means working on a mission that matters. You’ll be joining a professional implementing organization with dedicated and knowledgeable staff who work in a complex environment every day. As a department manager, you’ll be part of the management team of the Return Implementation Directorate and will work closely with other department managers. As part of the management team, you will jointly set the direction for implementation, coordinate decisions, and contribute to organization-wide developments and cohesion between regions and teams.

What we offer

• a leadership role with significant social impact;
• an organization in the process of development, where you can make a real contribution to improvement and professionalization;
• the opportunity to provide direction, build your team, and make an impact;
• salary in accordance with Scale 13 of the Central Government Collective Bargaining Agreement;
• In addition to your salary, you will receive a flexible spending allowance equal to 16.5% of your gross annual salary;
• a focus on personal development, leadership, and career advancement.

DTenV values diversity and inclusion. Different perspectives and backgrounds contribute to better decision-making and a stronger organization.

Interested?

Are you interested in leading a team in a complex, politically sensitive environment and driving efforts toward professionalization, standardization, and good employment practices? If so, we warmly invite you to apply by submitting your resume and cover letter via the application form on theColourfulPeople websiteby January 30.

The Repatriation and Departure Service is being assisted in this process by Colourful People. If you have any questions, please contact Hatice Türkmen, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06 46 08 12 32. The preliminary interviews will take place on February 3 and 5 (online), and the final interviews are scheduled for February 13 and 19.