Policy Officer for Internet and Telecommunications

Policy Officer for Internet and Telecommunications

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy / Directorate-General for Economy and Digitalization (DGED)

Job Description

Would you like to contribute to a better society in a results-oriented and inspiring environment? To a clear government role with a crystal-clear objective at the intersection of the economy, society, and technology? With frequent interaction with the business community and varied and challenging work? Are you analytically strong and willing to say no when necessary? Then this position is for you.

Texting, contactless payments, video calls, and streaming your favorite music on your phone while on the train. But also business communications at Schiphol Airport and live broadcasts of sporting events—it all runs through our wireless communication networks. Radio frequencies are the essential raw material for this. The frequency spectrum belongs to all of us, but without agreements, everyone “talks” at once and we reach no one. That is why the government manages the use of frequencies. Our goal? To ensure that we enable the wireless communication applications that are most beneficial to all of us.

As part of a fun and results-oriented team, we aim to be international leaders in frequency management. This ensures that the Netherlands continues to have access to innovative wireless communication services. Because those networks help keep Dutch society running: from self-driving containers in the Port of Rotterdam and cell phones to Wi-Fi and everything that can be connected to it, such as your smart doorbell or other smart home applications like your robot vacuum cleaner.

Your core responsibility is to continuously assess whether existing agreements on spectrum usage are sufficient or need to be adjusted to ensure optimal use of the spectrum. This may be done on your own initiative or at the request of companies or local governments. Driving factors often include new wireless communication applications, such as the potential future emergence of virtual or augmented reality glasses and self-driving cars. You assess the underlying demand for frequency use and, together with your colleagues, determine whether and how that need can be met. You build strong working relationships with companies, ministries, and implementing agencies, and you are able to clearly distinguish between relationships, substance, and interests. Spectrum is sometimes scarce, so you’ll need to find good, creative solutions and sometimes make difficult choices. It’s important that you can be critical in this process: what exactly does the spectrum need consist of, why is it necessary, and what is the economic value for the Netherlands? In doing so, you’ll be confident in making well-reasoned decisions and, when necessary, saying “no.” After all, you always take your position based on the broader public interest: what are the (competing) needs of the various frequency users, and what constitutes optimal use of the frequency spectrum for the Netherlands from the perspective of overall prosperity?

This role also involves helping to develop processes to better and more quickly address changing frequency needs and to make frequencies available more efficiently. This work has a technical component, which makes it particularly interesting. You don’t need to have a technical background, as you can seek advice and support from colleagues and the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure on technical matters. Frequency policy is also, by its very nature, an area where cooperation takes place at the international level, as developments do not simply stop at national borders. If this aligns with your interests, you can also participate in international consultations on behalf of the Netherlands. We will determine the exact composition of the role based on organizational needs and your knowledge, experience, and interests.

Job Requirements

• You have a master’s degree. Regardless of your field of study, we are primarily interested in your interests, qualities, and motivation.
• You have strong analytical skills, are solution-oriented, and creative. This allows you to quickly assess the choices at hand and determine the best option.
• You can make well-considered decisions and communicate them effectively.
• You are results-oriented.
• You are easy to get along with and good at collaborating and building and maintaining relationships.
• You speak and write Dutch fluently and are persuasive.
• Whether you’re just starting out in the workforce or are a seasoned professional with (extensive) work experience, you can grow with us. Salary is determined based on your knowledge and experience.

Terms of Employment

Salary level: Grade 11, Grade 12, Grade 13

Monthly salary: Min. €3,608 – Max. €6,989 (gross)

Employment status: Permanent employment contract

Minimum number of hours per week: 36

Maximum number of hours per week: 36

Other terms and conditions of employment

In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB). The ICB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and time. With the ICB, you can make choices that suit you and customize part of your employment benefits. For example, you can choose to have a portion of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa, or spend it on tax-friendly purposes. The Dutch government is strongly committed to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. Secondary employment conditions include various study facilities, company fitness programs, full reimbursement of your public transportation costs for commuting, and partially paid parental leave.

Details

• If you do not (yet) have a permanent position as a civil servant, you will start with a temporary position with the prospect of a permanent one.
• Candidates for reassignment and candidates subject to mandatory job-to-job placement who are not employees of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy or the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality must include a designation decision from the competent authority with their application.
• The introductory and selection process consists of at least two rounds of interviews and a final discussion regarding terms of employment.
• Checking references or conducting an assessment may be part of the selection process.
• Colleagues within the central government who are permanent employees may be seconded or transferred while retaining their current employment status.
• Salary will be determined based on knowledge and experience.
• For Grade 13, we also expect several years of relevant work experience and a demonstrated understanding of political and administrative dynamics.

What else do we offer you:

• A pleasant work environment with excellent facilities, just a short walk from the central station.
• Plenty of opportunities to continue developing your skills and specialize.
• We believe it is important to maintain a good work-life balance. Working hours can be arranged flexibly by mutual agreement.
• If you are hired, hybrid work is an option; you will work partly from home and partly at the office. We believe it is important to have a good home office setup. We therefore offer a subsidy for home office equipment and a work-from-home allowance in accordance with the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Rijk).

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We do not accept unsolicited applications for our job openings.

Interested in applying?

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy / Directorate-General for Economy and Digitalization (DGED) invites you to apply on their website. Clicking the button below will take you away from this site and directly to the application form. The government values a diverse and inclusive organization. Working in diverse teams makes us more effective, more innovative, and makes the work more enjoyable. Everyone is therefore invited to apply.