Senior Policy Coordinator for Lifelong Learning

About the role

You will play a leading and coordinating role within the Lifelong Learning (LLO) project team and help raise the profile of the LLO Action Agenda. Through the LLO Action Agenda, we collect and share best practices from places where learning is already second nature. This inspires others and fosters new collaborations. We also identify opportunities and challenges, which we discuss with representatives of national organizations and policymakers. Finally, we connect people and help them exchange knowledge. We do this by organizing meetings, producing publications, monitoring developments, and contributing to SER recommendations. The themes we focus on include, for example, a skills-oriented labor market and strengthening informal learning in organizations.

What will you be doing?

• As a coordinating policy officer, you will lead a project team of approximately five colleagues, contribute to one or more projects, and engage other colleagues within the SER in the LLO action agenda.
• You will focus on strategic goals and monitor the results, progress, and alignment among the various activities and projects of the LLO Action Agenda.
• Together with the team, you will maintain contacts with the various components of the Social and Economic Council (employee and employer organizations, as well as government representatives) and with many other stakeholders in this field, such as government ministries (Education, Culture and Science; Social Affairs and Employment; Economic Affairs and Climate Policy), the education sector, regional governments, and regional and sectoral partnerships.
• You facilitate communication between the parties in the network.
• You will work with the team and stakeholders to develop annual plans and accountability documents.
• You will draft informational documents and be responsible for preparing the content for meetings.
• You will represent the SER Action Agenda for LLO at external meetings.

What are your skills?

• You have an academic level of work and thinking.
• You have at least 5 years of work experience in a similar position.
• You have an affinity for and knowledge of lifelong learning and the intersection of education, the labor market, and government.
• You have experience with project-based work and focusing on results and impact.
• You enjoy networking: you’re able to build support and bring different parties together in a complex environment.
• You have strong analytical skills: you understand the essence of complex issues, can distinguish between the main points and the details, and are able to communicate this effectively both verbally and in writing.

What do we offer?

This is a position for a minimum of 32 hours and a maximum of 38 hours per week, initially for one year, with the possibility of a permanent contract. Start date: as soon as possible. You will be working as a senior policy officer. The salary ranges from a minimum of €4,936 to a maximum of €6,668 gross per month for full-time employment. The other terms of employment can be found here.

About the SER

The Social and Economic Council advises the government and parliament on the broad outlines of socio-economic policy. The SER also facilitates agreements and covenants and performs administrative tasks. Independent members appointed by the Crown, employers, and employees work together within the Council. Approximately 170 staff members work in the SER’s administrative organization.

SER staff work in a particularly dynamic environment. They operate in close proximity to the political sphere, collaborating with a wide range of civil society organizations that often have divergent interests. Policy analysts work in project teams to address current socioeconomic issues. The organization has an informal atmosphere and fosters a great deal of personal interaction.

We believe that diversity within our organization contributes to the quality and support for our work. We strive to be an organization where everyone can be themselves and is given the opportunity to grow.

About the Labor Market Program

You will be working in the Labor Market program. In this program, approximately 20 policy officers work enthusiastically together to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, advance the lifelong learning agenda, support the Youth Platform, and develop SER recommendations on current issues related to the labor market and education.

Application Process

Please note! We do not require a resume or cover letter. We ask that you describe your motivation, knowledge, and experience by answering three questions on the application form. You will receive a response to your application by phone or email no later than one week after the job posting’s closing date. The first interview will take place during the week of July 10. The second interview will take place during the week of July 17. Prior to the second interview, you will complete a writing assignment. We aim to complete the application process in July.

To ensure that all candidates are evaluated consistently, we use scoring forms. We use these to assess job-specific criteria during the application process and job-specific competencies during the interviews and writing assignments. During the interviews, we ask all candidates the same questions so that we can determine the extent to which they meet the job requirements.

Do you have any questions about the position? Please contact Alice Odé, Labor Market Program Manager, at 070 3499 588. Do you have any questions about the application process? Please contact Roos van Rijn, Human Resources & Organization Advisor, at 070 3499 704.

Will you be our new colleague? If so, please apply as soon as possible, but no later than July 3, 2023, via our website, https://www.ser.nl/nl/ser/werken-bij-SER/vacatures/beleidsmedewerker-llo.