Communications Advisor

More person,less patient. That is what the Dutch Patient Federation stands for. Together with our members, we advocate for people who need healthcare. We develop policies and influence those of other organizations and decision-makers. We ask how people experience healthcare. And based on that, we make their voices heard in doctors’ offices, in politics, and in the news. You contribute directly to this. The Dutch Patient Federation represents over 200 patient organizations.

 We are currently looking for an experienced and enthusiastic 

COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR 

(32–36 hours per week). 

What are you going to do? 

Provide advice, organize, and develop clear communication plans. You will also implement these plans hands-on. This involves providing communication support for the following program: Flywheel for Digital Transformation in Healthcare. This multi-year program is an initiative of the Dutch Patient Federation, and its mission is to enable many more people to experience the benefits of high-quality hybrid care. The Flywheel is a patient- and client-driven coalition of and for the field. We collaborate with healthcare administrators and providers, digital solution providers, health insurers, and, of course, patients (and their representatives). This is carried out by an action-oriented and decisive program team. This team supports coalition partners in utilizing and scaling up hybrid care. For now, the focus is on home monitoring, medication dispensing via pill dispensers, and lifestyle monitoring with smart sensors in hospital care and community nursing. In the coming period, we will determine whether we will help scale up additional digital/hybrid care processes. Key themes for the Flywheel Coalition () in the coming years are: networked care, patient self-management, hybrid care pathways, and engaging end-users. Read more about the Flywheel Coalition athttps://vliegwielcoalitie.nl.

Communications Department 

You will be working in the Communications Department. Our team is responsible for the Patient Federation’s internal and external communications, including lobbying and advocacy, press relations, and association management. We contribute to raising the profile and positioning of the patient movement and the federation. The team advises on strategic issues and supports various themes and projects. The topics we address are wide-ranging. These include digital healthcare, making innovation accessible, advocating for and lobbying on patient participation in healthcare, pharmaceutical policy, and stakeholder management.

As a communications advisor, you will be part of the Vliegwiel program team.

You have 

• have completed a college or university degree, preferably in the field of communication; 
• At least 5 years of experience as a communications consultant and/or project manager, preferably in the healthcare sector; 
• interest in or experience with digitization in healthcare; 
• experience in developing and coordinating campaigns and aligning communication activities with various partners; 
• experience with stakeholder communication;
• Experience coordinating and organizing informational sessions and training sessions. 

You are an effective organizer, results-oriented, and a team player. The ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, subject matter experts, and patient advocacy advisors is crucial in this role. 

What do we offer you?

We offer a diverse role involving socially meaningful work within an engaging organization staffed by dedicated individuals. An organization where you can further develop your skills in substantive, strategic, and political areas. With us, you’ll build a strong network within the healthcare sector. 

 You’ll find an inspiring team of colleagues where employees and managers work together in a casual yet professional manner. There’s plenty of room for initiative and personal growth. 

We offer flexible working hours. So this isn’t a job where you necessarily have to work strictly “9 to 5.”

We work partly at the office in Utrecht and partly from home.

Depending on your education and experience, the salary is up to €5,272.00 gross per month for a 36-hour workweek (Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement, Scale 10). You will initially be offered a one-year employment contract. 

The Dutch Patient Federation offers attractive employment conditions, including an Individual Choice Budget (IKB) and a career budget. The IKB provides you with a budget that you can use as you see fit—either to receive a cash payment or, for example, to purchase additional leave hours. 

The Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement is followed. Under the terms of the agreement, you are enrolled in the Healthcare and Social Services Pension Fund. 

 Are you interested?  

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Rinie Verscharen, Interim HR Advisor, by September 3, 2023, using the application form on our website: https://www.patientenfederatie.nl/werken-bij/solliciteren.

The first round of talks will take place during the week of September 11, and the second round during the following week (the week of September 18).

For more information about the job description, please email Marcel Heldoorn, Digital Healthcare Manager (m.heldoorn@patientenfederatie.nl), and/or, starting August 28, Linda Westhoff, Communications Manager (l.westhoff@patientenfederatie.nl). 

For more information about the selection process, please send an email tohr@patientenfederatie.nl.

For more information about the Dutch Patient Federation and its activities, visit www.patientenfederatie.nl. This job opening is being advertised both internally and externally. If deemed suitable, internal candidates will be given priority.

 We are committed to increasing diversity in our workforce. We therefore strongly encourage people from diverse backgrounds (such as those with an immigrant background or those with a disability or chronic illness) to apply.

  We expressly do not welcome unsolicited sales calls in response to this advertisement. We will therefore not respond to them.