Thank you! We've received your submission!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Would you like to advocate for the interests and rights of children and young people in The Hague and Leidschendam-Voorburg? Then read on!

As Youth Ombudsman, you make a difference for children and young people in The Hague and Leidschendam-Voorburg. You are the listening ear for their concerns, the voice that stands up for their rights, and the critical eye that tackles issues. In this unique role, you combine empathy with decisiveness and are committed to a just society where the interests of young people take center stage. Are you ready to make an impact and bring about change where it really matters?

What will you be doing?

You are responsible for ensuring accurate and prompt second-line complaint resolution and conducting thorough investigations related to youth services within the municipal administration.

Generally, the municipality is first given the opportunity to handle the complaint itself. If the complainant is not satisfied with how the complaint was handled, he or she may turn to the Youth Ombudsman. In such cases, the Youth Ombudsman may investigate the complaint and issue an opinion on the appropriateness of the municipality’s services. Children and young people who encounter difficulties with the municipality may also contact the Youth Ombudsman.

In addition, it is your responsibility to independently initiate investigations, where necessary and in consultation with the ombudsman, into issues that affect the interests and rights of children and young people. This proactive approach enables you not only to respond to complaints but also to identify and address trends and systemic problems, thereby contributing to more equitable municipal services.

As a point of contact for children and young people, you will prioritize their interests and opinions when carrying out your duties.

In the ombudsman’s absence, you will fully replace her and serve as her sounding board for complex and sensitive matters. You will identify trends and areas of concern which, in consultation with the ombudsman, you will bring to the attention of the municipal council and/or the administrative staff. In this way, you will work to foster openness and good relations between citizens and the administration. It is important that you maintain a visible and regular presence in The Hague and Leidschendam-Voorburg at events and gatherings where young people are present. You will also actively engage with children and young people to gather feedback at schools or organizations.

What are we looking for?

You care deeply about young people, youth services, and the local community, particularly in the Hague region. Your approach is characterized by integrity, confidentiality, and diligence. You combine this with a thorough and systematic approach, enabling you to form an independent judgment that you communicate with confidence. You are able to collaborate and build connections with a diverse range of people and organizations at all levels, demonstrating empathy toward both individuals and organizations. You are skilled at identifying trends, areas of concern, and potential solutions based on the complaints you handle. You are politically and administratively astute and organizationally sensitive, and you communicate with persuasiveness and authority. You can lead a small team while demonstrating a unifying leadership style.

In addition, you have:

an academic level of work and thinking, with a background in administration and/or law;
demonstrable knowledge and experience in the field of youth welfare and education;
thorough knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
the ability to think independently and critically;
up-to-date knowledge of developments within (local) government;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills. You should also be able to connect with children and young people and demonstrate the ability to listen effectively.
an affinity for and/or experience in leading a team;
a relevant network.

Incompatible positions

Certain positions are incompatible with the role of youth ombudsman:

civil servant for the municipality of The Hague or Leidschendam-Voorburg
working as a lawyer, attorney, or notary
director or staff member of a public-law partnership in which the municipality of The Hague or Leidschendam-Voorburg participates
member of an administrative committee of the municipal government of The Hague or Leidschendam-Voorburg
other functions that could interfere with independent functioning.

What do we offer?

You will make a tangible and meaningful contribution to an accessible municipality and to fair and transparent public services. You will have a real impact on the well-being of children and young people, and you will help combat and prevent discrimination in The Hague. The complexity of your work will allow you to make the most of all your legal, administrative, and social skills. We also offer:

a salary of up to €8,123 gross per month (pay grade 14), based on a 36-hour workweek;
a 32-hour workweek;
an appointment based on a civil service status for a term of 6 years;
excellent benefits, such as an ABP pension and a contribution toward your
health insurance;
an individual flexible spending account worth 17.05% of your salary, which you can use for your other
tailor your employment terms to suit your needs.

Who are we?

The Hague Municipal Ombudsman has been in existence for over 40 years and is an independent position within the municipal administration, tasked with ensuring the proper conduct of municipal services. The Ombudsman carries out this work based on complaints and on the results of (his own) investigations. The objectives are to resolve the complaint, restore trust in the municipality, enable the municipality to learn from the complaints, and improve its services. The Municipal Ombudsman and the Youth Ombudsman also handle complaints regarding discrimination. This is done under the name Discriminatie.nlThe Hague. The ombudsman reports to the city council and thereby contributes to the council’s understanding of the accountability of and oversight over the municipal administration. Since 2015, The Hague has also had a youth ombudsman, who also serves as deputy municipal ombudsman. The ombudsman and youth ombudsman are supported by seven (part-time) staff members.

Learn more

Please visit the Ombudsman Office’s website at www.ombudsman-denhaag.nl. For more information about the position, please contact Prosper Becker, recruiter, at prosper.becker@denhaag.nl.

Application Process

The application process is conducted under the responsibility of (the presiding board of) the city council and in consultation with the Ombudsman, and is structured as follows:

Initial job interviews will be held during the week of February 3 and 7.
The second round of interviews is expected to take place in the first half of February
a benchmark study
possibly an assessment
appointment consultation with staff from the Ombudsman's Office
recommendation of the selection committee

Prior to the appointment by the city council, the candidate may be invited to an interview with the party leaders and the mayor.

Once the above procedure has been completed, the executive committee will submit a recommendation to the city council, after which the council will decide on the appointment. The intention is to submit the recommendation to the council on March 13, 2025.