Legal Advisor

Job Description 

One of your primary responsibilities involves providing legal advice and related support. You will work with a diverse client base, ranging from the Council of Party Leaders to colleagues in Security or Communications. Most of the time, your advice is sought and appreciated, but sometimes it is also necessary to voice a strong dissenting opinion—whether solicited or unsolicited. You are steadfast in this regard, yet you can also engage in constructive dialogue with the person you are speaking with. By definition, your advice is focused on finding solutions while maintaining a focus on the relationship.

A second key responsibility involves policy development and the implementation of new policies. Sometimes you’ll do this as a project leader, and sometimes as a member of a working group. Examples include implementing our new integrity policy and compliance rules, drafting guidelines for journalists and visitors, or structuring our internal lobbying process. The new code of conduct regarding (in)appropriate behavior for our Members of Parliament is another current example where you could play a policy-supporting role.

A nice bonus is that you’ll be joining a new team. Recently, for reasons of scale, it was decided to merge the HR team and the two corporate legal functions into a single team under the day-to-day supervision of the corporate lawyer from the Senate. The Director of Organization is your line manager. With the arrival of two new colleagues in this team, we plan to make further arrangements in the fall regarding the division of tasks and the identification of (new) areas of focus. Nothing is set in stone yet, and of course, we will also take your interests and ambitions into account. Finally, we also have an excellent relationship with other High Councils of State, and you will have the opportunity to significantly expand your network through this collaboration.

Job Requirements

Because you work with many different colleagues, and sometimes with members of Congress and staff members of congressional caucuses, you have a good understanding of administrative and political dynamics. Issues often span various departments within the organization, so smooth collaboration with those departments is essential for making progress. In your advisory work, you apply your analytical skills and are able to quickly get to the heart of the matter. You are solution-oriented, creative, and persuasive. In addition, you have:

• a bachelor's degree in a legal field
• at least three years of experience as a legal advisor (preferably in the public sector)
• knowledge of the legal field of the Senate

Terms of Employment

Salary level: Grade 12

Salary description: Grade 12, Central Government Collective Bargaining Agreement; depending on work experience, a starting grade of 11 may be applied.

Monthly salary: Min. €4,691 – Max. €6,907 (gross)

Employment status: Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract

Contract duration: 1 year

Minimum number of hours per week: 28

Maximum number of hours per week: 36

Other terms and conditions of employment

In addition to your salary, you will receive a flexible benefits package (IKB). The IKB consists of monetary benefits (16.50% of your gross annual salary) and time off. With the IKB, you can make choices that suit you and customize part of your employment benefits. For example, you can choose to have a portion of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa, or spend it on tax-friendly purposes. The Dutch government is strongly committed to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. The fringe benefits include various study facilities, company fitness programs, full reimbursement of your public transportation costs for commuting, and partially paid parental leave.

Details

• We’d like to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of the role, your colleagues, and the context of our organization. That’s why we’re organizing two in-person interviews at our office, where you’ll have the chance to meet with teammates, the management team, and HR, and get a feel for the atmosphere firsthand.
• Naturally, we also hope to get as complete a picture of you as possible. As part of this process, an assessment and reference check (both online and by phone) will be included in the selection process.
• This position occasionally requires some flexibility. Work within the Senate often takes place outside of regular office hours, and your presence may be required on such occasions.
• Conversely, you can also expect flexibility from us when it comes to balancing your work and personal life, and it is common practice within the organization to work partly from home, for example.
• If you are already employed by the government under a permanent contract, we will assume that contract.
• Do you have any questions about this procedure? Please contact Roel Joosten, HR Advisor, at 06-11750372.
• You can submit your response until September 12, 2024.

Interested in applying?

The government is committed to fostering 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.