Legal Advisor and Team Coordinator, Litigation Support Team (m/f/x)

The position

As a legal advisor, you are responsible for advising the organization on administrative and legal issues and facilitating the support processes related to grant funding. Drawing on your expertise, you contribute to the design and development of the fund’s regulations and oversee their lawful implementation, including the handling of appeals and objections. In preparation for the next policy period (2025–2028), we have begun broadening and rewriting grant regulations and will be standardizing the underlying work processes. We are therefore looking for someone who enjoys reviewing our regulations and processes and making proposals to further develop them.

In addition, the legal advisor serves as team coordinator for the Process Support team. This team of six colleagues brings together the implementation and expertise of many of the fund’s core processes. For example, Xenia, Jane, Tessa, and Renate provide both practical and substantive support in processing grant applications. Machteld organizes and oversees everything related to the translators staying at our Translators’ House, and Marlies manages our library and translation database. Together, they work on the archive. A dedicated and quality-driven group of colleagues who are proud of the team they have built together over the past year and a half. They are looking for a team coordinator who fosters connections with the content teams, knows how to make the most of the team’s talents and potential, understands the team’s limitations, and offers a listening ear.

In terms of the organizational structure, the legal advisor and the team report to the business director. Legal colleagues from the national cultural funds regularly consult with one another on current issues, and you will consult with the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science on legal matters.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for developing and implementing the fund’s legal policies regarding grant awards, governance, and the effective and appropriate implementation of agreed-upon policies. Your legal responsibilities will include drafting (sub)regulations, ensuring their lawful implementation, and advising on the legal aspects of contracts. In addition, you will be responsible for handling objections and appeals, complaints, and WOO requests. You will also serve as the fund’s privacy officer under the GDPR. You will contribute to the development of the policy plan and identify bottlenecks in the implementation of legal policy. You will be able to translate legal developments and innovative ideas into policy.

As a team coordinator, you are responsible for planning, coordinating, and assigning tasks within the team. This includes developing an annual team plan and fostering collaboration both within and outside the team. You represent the team at operational meetings (and, when necessary, at strategic meetings) and provide feedback to the team. You monitor the progress of procedures and ensure the team’s legally compliant implementation of grant programs. You conduct annual performance reviews with all team members, focused on their professional development. Finally, you are responsible for promoting professional development within the team.

What are you bringing?

We are looking for someone with the following knowledge and skills:            

• A completed university degree in law and several years of experience as a legal professional, preferably in a government organization or a related role;
• Experience with grant award processes, including objection and appeal procedures, and the implementation of those processes;
• You are sociable and a strong communicator, with an inclusive style and coaching and coordination skills;
• You are an analytical and conceptual thinker and know how to translate this into practical action;
• You have an excellent command of the Dutch language;
• You're good at planning, prioritizing, and coordinating;
• You encourage collaboration, have strong influence skills, and know how to persuade others;
• You have a practical mindset and strong problem-solving skills, and you’re flexible when dealing with urgent issues;
• You have a passion for culture and an affinity for the book industry.

About the Dutch Foundation for Literature

The Dutch Foundation for Literature is the public fund for literature in Dutch, Frisian, Papiamento, and Dutch Sign Language. The Foundation is one of six state-funded cultural foundations. The Foundation aims to contribute to a well-read, intelligent, and creative society in which the role of literature, writers, and translators is recognized and valued. We are convinced that literature shapes, entertains, and stimulates critical thinking. And we believe that literature is of great value even beyond the pages of a book. Commissioned by the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, the fund is responsible for promoting quality and diversity in literature and for its promotion both domestically and abroad. The fund provides grants to writers, translators, publishers, magazines, and festivals and is committed to fostering a rich and diverse literary climate, with an eye toward literary heritage and new developments in the book industry and literary culture.

We offer

A challenging position in a pleasant and supportive work environment at one of the national cultural funds, where you can apply and further develop your skills. The fund maintains an independent yet engaged relationship with many stakeholders in the national and international literary field, ranging from creators to festivals and publishers. We offer a one-year contract with the prospect of a permanent position for 36 hours per week (1.0 FTE). The position is classified in scale 12 of the CAO Rijk (salary range €4,278 – €6,320 full-time per month, effective January 1, 2024). In addition, there is a fixed thirteenth-month bonus and opportunities for professional development. The fund follows the salary development of the CAO Rijk and has its own employment conditions regulations.

Diversity

The Dutch Foundation for Literature supports a diverse range of projects, creators, and institutions, and therefore places great importance on diverse perspectives. We strive for diversity within our organization, teams, activities, partners, and audience reach. That is why we warmly invite anyone who fits this profile to apply, regardless of gender, cultural background, sexual identity, or age.  

Integrity

Employees and contractors of the Dutch Foundation for Literature are not eligible to receive grants from the Dutch Foundation for Literature.

Information and feedback

For more information about the position, please contact the Business Director: Elise Althoff, e.althoff@letterenfonds.nl, or call 06 820 135 94.        

Please submit your application by Monday, May 6, 2024, at the latest. You can email your cover letter and resume to sollicitaties@letterenfonds.nl, addressed to Elise Althoff.

The first interviews will take place during the week of May 13. Due to a handover period with our current legal advisor, we are aiming for July 1, 2024, as the latest start date.      

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.