Policy Advisor/Project Manager for Secondary School Administrators

School leaders are supported by a program team that is part of the VO-raad. Within the VO-raad, Schoolleiders VO falls under the Professional School Organization team, but operates as an independent unit with its own staff and budget. The work is organized into three sub-programs, each with its own themes and priorities:

     a. School leaders’ involvement in sector policy (sector development and advocacy)
b. Professional quality & professional development
c. Position

The school leaders' platform has three organizational levels:

1. a steering committee for overall oversight, monitoring of progress, and budget control;
2. program management for the coordination between the steering committee and the substantive implementation within the sub-programs;
3. leaders (school administrators) and support staff who work together to carry out the activities for each program track.

We are currently seeking a Policy Advisor/Project Manager (0.8–1 FTE) to lead Sub-program 3 of the Secondary School Leaders initiative and to focus on overarching policy issues related to strengthening school leadership in secondary education.

In Sub-theme 3 – Position, the following priorities have been identified for the near future:

• further development of the VO-raad’s Committee on Employment Conditions for School Leaders;
• improving collaboration between school boards/board members and school leaders in secondary education.

We ask

We are looking for a results-oriented advocate who can build connections. Someone who sees or creates possibilities and opportunities, enjoys working as part of a team, and is able to achieve goals in collaboration with colleagues. You have a proven understanding of the political and administrative landscape and know how to influence decision-making processes in the interests of our constituents: in this role, this includes both school leaders and school boards. You are able to identify the context and any bottlenecks surrounding issues, set priorities, and determine the course of action. You will also advise the Secondary School Leaders Steering Group and the board of the Secondary Education Council on these matters. You also know how to reach out to relevant colleagues, our members, and relevant external parties at the right moment. You have a keen sense of the dilemmas facing school boards and schools, but also understand what it means to provide advice at the sector level.

As a project manager, you have an affinity for and experience with the topics described above. Schoolleiders VO is a new initiative. We are looking for a project manager who can adapt flexibly to new developments, enjoys pioneering new approaches, and can work with the lead of that sub-program (school leader) to guide the team in implementing the strategy for that sub-program.

We are looking for someone who:

• has relevant work experience that demonstrates an affinity for the role of advocate and for providing advice in a political and administrative environment;
• is able to—building on the relationships you already have—actively reach out to school leaders, school boards, and schools, build connections with the field, and remain relevant to it;
• is able to operate tactically and feels comfortable dealing with parties that have divergent interests;
• is able to participate independently in (advisory) committees, working groups, and consultations with other parties;
• takes the initiative and can turn analysis into action. You know how to apply insights about the labor market, good employment practices, and strategic HR policies to the secondary education sector;
• is capable of providing strategic advice. You can distinguish between main and secondary issues and are skilled at effectively communicating your advice both verbally and in writing;
• has experience managing (sub)programs or projects;
• has experience and talent in managing processes and establishing structure;
• is a team player.

The position

You will be part of both the Secondary School Leaders program team and the Professional School Organization team within the VO-raad. The Professional School Organization team works to ensure the quality and future-readiness of secondary education. We do this in collaboration with secondary school boards and schools and in consultation with stakeholders such as the professional association of school leaders. Through advocacy and sector development, the team focuses on improving teacher training and professional development, strengthening leadership within schools, and organizational development, including by strengthening strategic human resources management (HRM) in the sector.

Together with one (or two) school leaders (program coordinators), you will lead a project team, oversee the strategy, and develop activities to achieve the program’s objectives. You will also play a central role in collaboration and co-creation with internal stakeholders within the VO-raad and external partners.

As a policy advisor within the Secondary School Leaders group and the Professional School Organization team at the VO-raad, you will work on a variety of themes and issues. In the VO-raad’s Strategic Framework 2020–2025 and the 2023 annual plan, strengthening school leadership—in particular the strategic role, position, and professionalization of school leaders—is identified as a strategic priority. As a policy advisor, you will develop policies and oversee their implementation, communication, and evaluation. You identify and analyze developments in society and education and translate these into positions and (lobbying) strategies. As a representative of both Schoolleiders VO and the VO-raad, you operate in a political-administrative context, weighing diverse interests and perspectives. You initiate and maintain consultation and collaboration structures with parties both within and outside the association. You negotiate with these parties, advise them, and can persuade them. Working systematically is a prerequisite, and you will take the initiative independently.

As a policy advisor, you will report to the PSO team leader, and as a project manager, you will report to the Secondary School Leaders program management team; you will also maintain close contact with the other sub-programs within Secondary School Leaders. Your final job description will be determined in consultation with you, the Professional School Organization team leader, and the program management team.

The duties and responsibilities include, at a minimum:

• monitoring the strategy and direction of the components of the annual and multi-year plan for the relevant sub-line, including the development of new activities, and ensuring that the finances of these components remain in order;
• maintain contact with school leaders and the Voion executive body regarding developments related to the School Leaders Grant;
• research advisory committees, including those on school leaders' career paths and labor market research;
• strengthening the collaboration between school leaders and school boards;
• maintaining contact with educators, labor unions, and the ministry, including participating in the national working group on the school leaders’ agenda and developing a Research Agenda for Secondary School Leaders (in collaboration with the VO Academy);
• cooperation with trade unions, including in the area of revising professional standards;
• the "State of the School Leader" initiative, in collaboration with the General Association of School Leaders (primary education);
• drafting documents in preparation for meetings of committees within the VO Council.

We offer

The VO-raad is offering a position for 0.8–1 FTE with a salary in pay scale 11 or 12 of the collective bargaining agreement for secondary education, with pay determined based on work experience. In addition, the VO-raad offers:

• an excellent benefits package, including a generous number of vacation days, an end-of-year bonus of 8.33%, an excellent pension plan through the ABP, and an annual training budget.
• We offer a supportive, informal, and dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth. We have a flat organizational structure and short lines of communication.
• good opportunities to work in a hybrid model where desired and where possible (combining office work with working from home).

The position is available immediately.

The duties and responsibilities are initially set for one year, that is, until September 1, 2024. For the time being, the VO Council does not consider it appropriate to offer permanent positions to secondary school principals.

Apply

If you are interested in this position, please apply by July 6, 2023. Send your cover letter and resume to vacature@vo-raad.nl. The first interview will be held on Tuesday, July 11, with Bas de Wit, PSO Team Leader, and Nienke Wirtz, School Leaders Program Manager. A potential second interview will follow a week later with a member of the Secondary School Leaders Steering Committee and a member of the Secondary Education Council’s executive board.

For more information about this position, please contact Nienke Wirtz, Program Manager for Secondary School Leaders (nienkewirtz@vo-raad.nl).

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