Crown members

About the SER

The Social and Economic Council (SER) is an advisory body in which business leaders, employees, and independent experts (crown members) work together to reach agreement on important socioeconomic issues.

The SER advises the government and parliament on socioeconomic policy. It also facilitates agreements and covenants. Examples include the development of the Climate Agreement and various covenants on corporate social responsibility. In addition, the SER performs administrative tasks, such as promoting employee participation.

Composition of the SER

The SER consists of three groups: employers, employees, and independent experts. Together, they represent the full spectrum of Dutch society and the economy.

The council currently has 33 members: 11 employer representatives, 11 employee representatives, and 11 independent experts, also known as ex officio members. The allocation of seats per group depends on the size of the organizations. The employee organizations and employer organizations appoint their own members. Council members are appointed for a two-year term. All members have a designated alternate.

Crown members

The Crown Members of the SER are independent experts. They are appointed by the King upon the recommendation of the Cabinet. Crown Members are expected to represent the broader society and are tasked with contributing their expertise and safeguarding the public interest in all the changes taking place in our society and economy (such as the impact of climate change, digitalization, and social inequality). In addition, Crown Members act as bridge-builders to bring employees and entrepreneurs closer together. The permanent Crown Members include representatives from De Nederlandsche Bank and the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB). The chair of the SER is also a Crown Member. The SER strives for a diverse composition in terms of backgrounds, disciplines, experiences, and perspectives.

Due to the appointment of Kim Putters as Chair of the Council, a vacancy has arisen for a Crown Member ofthe SER. For this position, we are seeking candidates with knowledge of and experience in the social sciences, specifically focused on the socioeconomic issues addressed by the SER. In addition, due to the expansion of the Council, two further vacancies have arisen: one vacancy for the position of Crown Member of the SER and one vacancy for the position of Deputy Crown Member of the SER. For these two positions, both experience in (scientific) research and practical knowledge in the field of independent entrepreneurship are important.

Responsibilities

• Contributing ideas on the agenda and role of the SER in light of medium- and long-term issues within the SER’s area of responsibility and in light of the economy of the future.
  
• Contributing ideas regarding the structure and desired outcomes of an SER process (consultation process, agreement/memorandum of understanding, meeting, etc.).
  
• Provide feedback on background notes and meeting documents prepared by the SER Secretariat and/or working groups.
  
• Contribute scientific knowledge to SER initiatives in the public interest and connect fellow scientists with the SER.
  
• Prepare for and participate in meetings such as committee meetings, meetings with members of the Crown, and council meetings.
  
• Preparatory work (consultations with the SER, coordination with fellow Crown representatives (including the SER chair), coordination with committee members (bilaterally if necessary), and consultations with the secretariat).
  
• Play an active, mediating role, for example by holding interim consultations with individual parties.
  
• Mediation between parties in cases of disagreement.
  
• Focusing on progress.
  
• Chairing committee meetings and meetings with any external stakeholders.
  

Profile

A member of the royal family:

• is independent and votes without instruction or consultation, although the Crown representative is free to seek advice elsewhere;
  
• has extensive (scientific) knowledge of and/or experience with one or more of the policy areas in which the SER is active, for example through work at a university or college;
  
• has a keen political sense and administrative experience, for example in the management of research institutions;
  
• maintains close ties with society and closely monitors relevant social developments (such as those related to diversity and inclusion, climate change, social unrest, and regional disparities);
  
• plays a catalytic role in working with all SER constituencies to bring relevant socioeconomic issues to the SER’s agenda and facilitate discussion of them;
  
• has knowledge and understanding of the various roles and interests of the different parties collaborating within the SER, or is willing to acquire this knowledge quickly and is willing to engage in dialogue with them on these matters;
  
• has experience with processes involving parties with divergent interests and possesses the skills needed to achieve outcomes that enjoy the broadest possible support;
  
• encourages the use of appropriate creative methods to make progress (and/or overcome deadlocks) and to ensure that the SER’s outputs have a political and societal impact;
  
• is willing to strengthen the role of Crown Representative (including as chair of an SER process; as a member of the independent oversight body of an SER committee, etc.) by learning from other Crown Representatives and chairs of SER processes.
  

Appointment, Time Commitment, and Compensation

Council members are appointed for a term of two years, from April 1 through March 31 of the following year. They all step down at the same time and may be reappointed. These vacancies have arisen due to an interim expansion of the Council, and the appointment will run through March 31, 2024. You should expect to spend time attending two meetings (half-days) per month and preparing for them. Depending on whether you chair a committee or engage in other activities, this may amount to several half-days per month. Council members receive an honorarium.

Information and Job Applications

For more information, please contact the Chair’s office at 070-3499502. Applications can be submitted via the SER websiteby August 18, 2023, at the latest. The application process consists of two interviews in late August/early September.