Ombudsman

Personal profile

As an Ombudsman, you have a strong sense of justice and are confident in your role. You understand that rules and laws are essential, but also that friction sometimes arises between the institutional framework and people’s actual experiences—whether they are students or staff members from the two schools planning to merge. Your strength lies in offering a listening ear and providing expert advice with the right tone. You switch effortlessly between different levels and know how to build strong relationships with the board, students, staff, and management alike. Your legal insight enables you to look beyond the rules and seek solutions that can satisfy both parties. Your mediation and analytical skills make all the difference here. As a people-oriented, transparent, and principled professional, you fully identify with these values.

Challenges within the role and organization:

• This position is new to Horizon College but has been in place at Regio College for over 15 years. This means that a different approach is needed, with a particular focus on raising the profile of the position within Horizon College.
• As part of the initial phase, you will be closely involved in the planned merger between the two colleges. Your input will be invaluable in developing this role.
• Due to the planned merger of the two schools (effective January 1, 2024, there will be a single employer for staff, and effective August 1, 2024, a single institution for students), it is a challenge to maintain broad visibility while ensuring that complaints are handled efficiently.

Required skills:

• Analytical skills
• People-oriented
• Integer
• Independent
• Bird's-eye view
• Consulting Skills
• Persuasiveness

The position

You will be responsible for reviewing and mediating complaints from students and staff. In addition, you will provide internal information about the ombudsman role and contribute to policies regarding the legal protection of students and staff.

Job Requirements:

• You can quickly acquire the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the laws and regulations governing the ombudsman role in vocational education, as well as legal procedures and processes;
• You have knowledge of mediation techniques and are skilled at applying them;
• You have the ability to empathize and can bring different stakeholders together;
• You are skilled at keeping all stakeholders within the vocational education institution informed;
• You are able to provide advice at various levels within the educational institution—to students, staff, management, and the Board of Governors—and possess administrative acumen;
• You can work and provide advice independently and confidentially;
• You must have at least a college-level education.

About the team

The Ombudsman works independently on behalf of the Executive Board. The Ombudsman is based in the Executive Office, where the Executive Secretary serves as the immediate supervisor. The Ombudsman will primarily collaborate with the confidential advisors who also work in the Executive Office. The atmosphere within the Executive Office, which currently consists of two Executive Secretaries, five confidential advisors, an auditor, a Data Protection Officer, secretarial staff, and administrative support staff for employee participation, is open and informal. Colleagues can turn to one another and support each other. Following the organizational merger, a single Executive Office will be established.

What do we offer?

We are offering a meaningful and interesting position where you can truly make a difference. We are also fully committed to your professional development through education and training within our own organizations, such as the Horizon Academy and the online platform Good Habitz.

In addition, you can count on excellent employment benefits, including:

• This is initially a temporary position for a period of one year, with the possibility of an extension or a permanent position;
• A salary in pay grade 11, with a maximum gross monthly salary of €5,229 for full-time employment. Your starting salary will depend on your relevant work experience and education; a labor market allowance may be available.
• an 8% vacation bonus and an 8.33% year-end bonus;
• group insurance;
• attractive programs related to wellness and lifestyle.

Who are we?

Regio College and Horizon College jointly provide vocational education and training to approximately 18,000 students. In partnership with the regional community, both MBO schools develop challenging and effective vocational programs and language courses. Students are guided in developing their talents and taking responsibility for their learning process. Practical (vocational) experience plays a central role in the learning process. For the more than 1,700 staff members, a passion for students, customer focus, and a results-oriented approach are key qualities. A merger between the two schools is in the works. In anticipation of the merger, intensive collaboration is already underway in several areas.

Interested?

Horizon College and Regio College are being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about the position and the application process, please contact Hatice Türkmen, a partner at Colourful People (06-46081232). If you are interested, please apply via our website with a cover letter and resume by September 3, 2023.The preliminary interviews are scheduled for September 7 and 8, 2023. The final interviews will take place on-site during week 38.