Policy Advisor for Governance and Systems

What will you be doing?

You will be joining the Governance and System team, a knowledgeable and close-knit team of three policy advisors with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. Within the team, you will frequently coordinate on strategy and actions, and together you will determine how to allocate the various projects.

The VO Council supports school boards on the topic of Governance and the System, including by:

• drafting and maintaining the Governance Code;
• engaging in dialogue on topics such as employee participation, regional cooperation, and accountability;
• representing the interests of school boards in dealings with political and social partners;
• various activities related to sector development and professionalization.

Who are you?

We are looking for a motivated colleague with political and administrative acumen and strategic consulting skills. In addition, you should have the following:

• You have at least five years of relevant work experience;
• You have proven knowledge of governance issues;
• You know how to translate these developments into concrete initiatives for our constituents;
• You have excellent communication skills—both written and verbal;
• You have strong analytical skills, are curious, and enjoy working toward solutions in a goal-oriented manner;
• You have an understanding of the role of a sector or industry association.

Are you unsure whether you meet all the job requirements, but does the position appeal to you? Don’t hesitate to apply! We believe that talent develops in many different ways and are open to candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

What do we offer?

We offer you a challenging position in which you will have the opportunity to contribute to primary education in the Netherlands. You will be offered a one-year contract for 0.8–1.0 FTE. You will earn a gross monthly salary between €3,484 and €6,992 (depending on experience), based on scale 11 or 12 of the Collective Labor Agreement for Secondary Education. The VO-raad operates on a 40-hour workweek.

We also offer excellent benefits, such as:

• a generous leave policy of 426 hours, including public holidays, of which you may exchange 2 national holidays for cultural holidays;
• an NS Business Card if you live more than 5 km from the office;
• an end-of-year bonus of 8.33%;
• an excellent pension plan with the ABP;
• the option to work remotely;
• an annual professional development budget of 1,500 euros and the opportunity to receive coaching to help you grow and develop. 

Where will you be working?

The VO-raad (located right next to Utrecht Overvecht station) is the national association for secondary schools, with a mission to promote quality education in which students can fully develop their talents and prepare for their role in society. We believe that high-quality education is an indispensable social good, and we therefore work every day to strengthen this sector.

With nearly 120 dedicated professionals, we advocate for the interests of secondary education with government agencies, politicians, the business community, and civil society organizations. We support schools and school boards with expertise, advice, and collaboration to ensure the quality and advancement of education. In addition, we engage in dialogue with employee organizations regarding terms of employment, thereby championing the interests of the more than 120,000 employees in the sector.

Our core values—passionate, collaborative, growth-oriented, and approachable—are at the heart of everything we do. We are also committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Want to learn more and apply?

Please send your resume and cover letter to vacature@vo-raad.nl by June 2, 2025. Interviews will be held on Friday, June 6. If you have any questions about the position, please contact Jeffrey Hietbrink at jeffreyhietbrink@vo-raad.nl or 06-45830585.

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.