Social Safety Policy Advisor

Do you want to help ensure that all students have a positive school experience? That they attend a school where they feel seen and heard, and where they’re allowed to make mistakes? Where, regardless of their background, skin color, gender, or beliefs, they can learn and grow in a safe environment? Where it’s clear how school administrators will respond if an unpleasant situation does arise? Then come work at the School & Safety Foundation. We support schools in creating a socially safe work and learning environment. And we are the go-to resource for education professionals.

To strengthen our organization, we are looking for a: Social Safety Policy Advisor(32–36 hours per week)

Are you a passionate expert with knowledge of discrimination and racism and the underlying mechanisms? Do you want to help break harmful patterns and create a safe learning environment for students and teachers, regardless of their identity? Then we’re looking for you!

Together with your colleagues, you will work to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, and exclusionary practices in education. In doing so, you will be mindful of the vulnerability of diverse groups of students and the impact of safety—or lack thereof—on their school experience. You will analyze trends, translate and develop knowledge, and advise schools on effective approaches to strengthen social safety and equality within the school. Thanks to your expertise, you help schools recognize discrimination and racism, and you provide concrete tools for prevention and intervention.

Are you eager to use your knowledge, experience, and networking skills to support, inform, and inspire education in this field through School & Safety? And do you want to play a key role in bringing these topics to the forefront and discussing them at relevant policy forums? Then apply today!

Where will you be working?

You will be part of the Knowledge & Alliances department. This department is responsible for developing knowledge and translating it into practical guidelines for schools, as well as for the content planning of conferences and meetings. In addition, the content advisors promote the vision and approach of School & Safety at policy forums, forge alliances, and enter into partnerships to support schools throughout the Netherlands in combating insecurity in and around the school. Promoting a culture of respect and acceptance is always central to this effort.

Your role & responsibilities

The Knowledge & Alliances department consists of 18 colleagues who all work within the broad framework of social safety and also have their own areas of specialization. You will primarily focus on projects related to discrimination, racism, and polarization in and around schools, as well as how schools can create a socially safe and inclusive environment. You’ll dive deep into the subject matter and translate complex issues surrounding discrimination and racism into practical solutions for education. You’ll translate knowledge into practical applications through workshops, meetings, and/or practical tools such as infographics or e-learning modules. You’ll also contribute to writing articles for our website(s). Part of your responsibilities will be contributing to the development of our inspiration package on promising approaches to combating discrimination and racism. This package, which we are developing in collaboration with the Verwey-Jonker Institute and Movisie, will offer education professionals concrete, accessible, and user-friendly tools to address and combat discrimination and racism, thereby working toward a safer and more inclusive school environment. 

What are you bringing?

• You have a clear vision for preventing and combating discrimination and racism in education, as well as an understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
• You have knowledge of the school environment in primary, secondary, and special education, as well as in secondary vocational education.
• You can move seamlessly between different levels (administrative and operational).
• You can present ideas and advice clearly and are able to communicate effectively on complex topics.
• You have a relevant professional network, preferably including organizations that focus on discrimination, diversity, and inclusion.
• You are capable of working at an academic level and have at least three years of demonstrable work experience and expertise in a similar role, preferably at a nonprofit organization.
• You have a keen sense of the various positions and interests at stake. You recognize where opportunities and sensitivities lie and are able to incorporate different perspectives into your approach.
• Your actions are characterized by connection, collaboration, and decisiveness. You are intrinsically motivated to contribute to an equitable society, and your approach is naturally inclusive.

Our offerings

School & Safety is a nationwide organization with over 35 employees spread across various departments: the Operations Office, the School Advisory Service, the Communications Department, and the Knowledge & Alliances Department. Our office in Utrecht serves as our headquarters, where a rotating group of colleagues is present each day. Employees work from home for part of their workday. 

We offer you:

• A one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal.
• A salary, depending on your knowledge and experience, of up to €5,389.87 gross per month (for full-time employment).
• 8% vacation pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• Full reimbursement of travel expenses based on public transportation.

We are committed to diversity within our organization and believe in the added value that different perspectives bring to our services and organizational culture. School & Safety strives to be an organization where everyone can feel at home. We believe that, as a diverse organization, we are better equipped to support schools in addressing issues related to social safety and insecurity. We take this into account during the selection process. We therefore warmly invite you to mention in your cover letter how your background and experiences contribute to your ambition to work toward a socially safe learning environment for all students.

Your application

Are you interested in this position? Please send yourcover letter and resumetoinfo@schoolenveiligheid.nlby September 23. In the subject line, please write “Job Opening: Social Safety Specialist.” Would you like more information about this position and/or about School & Safety? Please contact Fleur Nollet (Manager of Knowledge & Alliances) atf.nollet@schoolenveiligheid.nlor 06 27090735. The first round of interviews will take place on Wednesday, October 8. The second round of interviews will take place on Wednesday, October 15.

More about the School & Safety Foundation

School & Safety is the leading expert organization dedicated to fostering a socially safe environment in schools. Our vision is that students’ time at school should be centered on growing, discovering, and learning together. They learn best in an environment where students and educators interact positively and where everyone respects one another or learns to do so. Based on this vision, School & Safety has been supporting schools in primary, secondary, and specialized education, as well as secondary vocational education, for over 10 years.

Our mission is to help teachers, school leaders, and administrators empower students to reach their full potential and become their best selves. To this end, School & Safety provides information and expert advice on topics such as social safety policies, discrimination, polarization and tensions, emergencies, bullying, and sexual diversity. We do this through our various websites, national conferences, and publications. In addition, we serve as a resource for any education professional with questions about social safety in schools. We carry out our work with support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science.