Enterprise Architect

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is committed to the safety of food and consumer products, animal welfare, and the environment. To carry out these tasks effectively in the long term, an agile and flexible organization is needed that can effectively respond to developments in its environment. It is crucial that the organization has coherent operations and a strong strategic information position, supported by a reliable information system that aligns with the NVWA’s objectives. 

What will you be doing? 

As an Enterprise Architect, you will play a key role in realizing the NVWA’s ambitions to improve and modernize business processes, information flows, and the supporting IT infrastructure and information management. Creating business operations and information provision “under architecture” is a key starting point in this regard. We are looking for an Enterprise Architect who can contribute to this, not only by establishing strategic frameworks, but above all by engaging relevant stakeholders within the NVWA in the practical implementation of these frameworks in their own work, particularly within the information management chain. 

In this evolving environment, you will ensure that new initiatives are implemented in a well-structured manner. This means taking a holistic approach to mapping out the overall transformation rather than focusing solely on technology. Of course, you won’t be doing this alone. Key stakeholders you will collaborate with include business architects from various departments, system and solution architects, and strategic advisors from the Information Management department. You will ensure a clear direction, communicate it effectively, and foster collaboration, including through the Architecture Board, which you will chair. You are responsible for further shaping and embedding the architecture process, the application and ongoing development of the architecture frameworks, and for determining and monitoring the coherence within the NVWA’s overall architecture. In doing so, you play a key role in the digital transformation and the shift toward a more knowledge-driven and risk-focused way of working.  

To effectively fulfill this role, you will have direct lines of communication with both the CIO and your immediate colleagues within the Information Management department and the CIO Office. In addition, you will maintain close contact with (senior) management, the business architects, and the business information managers of the various divisions. Together, you will provide direction in the areas of business operations and IT toward the realization of the NVWA’s strategic goals. To this end, a number of committees have been established, such as the Architecture Board, and you will participate as a member of the NVWA-wide Change Advisory Board (CAB). In addition, you will represent the NVWA in group-wide architecture meetings.

Job Requirements

• A completed university degree, preferably in Business Administration, Information Science, or a related field; 
• At least 5 years of demonstrable relevant experience with (enterprise) architecture in complex environments, preferably in the public sector or multidisciplinary organizations; 
• Experience in project management and in the supervision/coordination of professionals; 
• Knowledge of and experience with reference architectures, frameworks, methods, and techniques (such as NORA, EAR, TOGAF, Novius, and Archimate); 
• Broad knowledge of trends and developments in areas such as government-wide (ICT) services, (cloud) technology, and data, AI, and algorithms, and the ability to assess their value to the NVWA; 
• Broad conceptual knowledge of the structure and functioning of information systems and integration.

Developing and promoting the architectural vision and new working methods—whether on your own or as part of a team—comes naturally to you. To perform your work effectively, you maintain a relevant network both within and outside the NVWA. You are a proven connector with administrative sensitivity who knows how to handle differing perspectives and interests. You can work independently, take initiative, and have a hands-on mentality. You are confident and seek collaboration to achieve goals. Planning and organizing are, of course, other important competencies.
The NVWA is working hard to build a workforce that is representative of society and places great value on an inclusive hiring policy. We therefore encourage everyone to apply, regardless of (cultural) background, age, gender identity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

Terms of Employment

• Salary level: Grade 13, Grade 14
• Monthly salary: Min. €5,212 – Max. €8,550 (gross)
• Employment Status: Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract
• Contract term: 1 year
• Minimum number of hours per week: 32
• Maximum number of hours per week: 36

Other terms and conditions of employment

In addition to an onboarding program tailored to your role and extensive training and/or coaching opportunities to support your professional growth, we also offer the following employee benefits:

Individual Choice Budget You receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB) equal to 16.50% of your gross annual salary. You can have your ICB paid out, for example, on a monthly or annual basis, or you can use it to purchase additional leave hours. In addition, you can use your IKB to purchase a (electric) bicycle for commuting tax-free, set up your home office,pay off your student loan with tax benefits up to a maximum of €2,000 per year,or even make your home more sustainable. To encourage this, the national government offers an employer contribution on top of the IKB.

Vacation Days If you work 36 hours per week, you are entitled to 144 vacation hours and 64 IKB leave hours per year. Do you work more or less? Then these hours are calculated proportionally. And do you need a little less vacation time? Then you can also choose to have your 64 IKB leave hours paid out or added to your IKB saved leave

Travel Allowance You will receive a mobility card that allows you to travel by train in second class for your commute. Do you bike to work? If so, you will receive a travel allowance of €0.21 per kilometer cycled.
If you have a field-based position, you are often also eligible for an electric company car. You may also use this for personal purposes, subject toadditionaltax liabilityand a personal contribution.

Leave Policies
The government offers leave policies for various situations, such as (supplementary) maternity leave (up to 5 weeks with 100% pay), parental leave (up to 9 weeks at 100% pay in the first year and an additional 75% for 4 weeks), care leave, and adoption/foster care leave.

Pension The Dutch government has an attractive pension plan with ABP, the General Civil Service Pension Fund. Read more about the ABP pension plan here.

Additional allowances and reimbursements
For some positions at the NVWA, it is necessary to work outside regular office hours or to be on call. However, this is compensated by additional allowances or reimbursements. For example, we offer an on-call and standby duty allowance and an irregular shift allowance.

Details

• Applications will be considered in accordance with applicable agreements, including the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement and the NVP Application Code.
• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is required to work at the NVWA.
• If the position involves a fixed-term employment contract with the prospect of becoming permanent, the permanent contract is initially preceded by a one-year contract. Provided the employee proves to be suitable, the contract is generally converted into a permanent contract of indefinite duration after one year.
• Is this a job opening for a fixed-term contract with the possibility of becoming permanent, but do you already have a permanent position as a civil servant? If so, you will retain your permanent position.
• If the position is initially a fixed-term role, it will not be reopened if the role can be made permanent within the organization and the (initially) temporary position was filled by an internal employee with a permanent contract.
• Online screening—for example, through search engines or social media—can be part of the selection process.
• A competency test and/or an assessment may be part of the selection process.
• A comprehensive A or B screening by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) may be required for certain positions at the NVWA, including those in the Intelligence and Investigation Service (IOD).
• Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.

More about the job category: Coordinating Specialist Advisor for Operations

The Central Government Performance Framework helps employees and managers establish performance and development goals during performance reviews and provides insight into career opportunities within the federal government.

For more information, visit the Central Government Job Classification System 

More about your future department

Formally, the role of Enterprise Architect falls under the CIO’s office, and you will report to the department head. However, the focus of your work will be within the newly formed architecture team in the Information Management department. This is where you will carry out your day-to-day work. Within this architecture team, you will—together with the information, data, and systems architects—define the substantive direction. In addition, you will play a leading role in collaborating with the business architects across the five business units.

Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)

In the Netherlands, we take it for granted that the products we use and everything we eat is safe. That animals are treated well, even if they are destined for slaughter. We want to be able to consume fruits and vegetables without a second thought, and we assume other products are “naturally” safe as well. We want to be able to walk in nature without worry and buy toys for our children without suspicion. As consumers, we simply rely on that; to us, it goes without saying.

But we sometimes forget that companies work hard every day to maintain those high standards. That it isn’t always easy for businesses to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. We also forget that the government oversees this. Safety sounds so simple, but it isn’t.

What does the NVWA do?
The employees of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) work hard every day to maintain that standard. Through dialogue with businesses in the hospitality sector, slaughterhouses, plant cultivation, and other producers, the NVWA monitors food and product safety, plant health, and the welfare of animals, nature, and the environment. All in accordance with national and international laws and regulations. We operate on a basis of trust, but we take firm action against businesses that do not take these matters seriously. In the interest of society.

We closely monitor where the greatest risks lie and where oversight is most urgently needed, so that we can inform consumers and others in a timely manner. The NVWA also plays a key role in export inspections and the import of products into Europe.

What does the NVWA stand for?
The NVWA is responsible for overseeing animal welfare, animal health, food safety, product safety, tobacco and alcohol prevention, plant health, and nature and the environment.

The Dutch government strives to be an employer where every employee, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or disability, wants to work. Addressing societal issues in diverse teams makes us more effective and innovative. That makes the work valuable and challenging.

The NVWA is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport.

Interested in applying?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) 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.