Press Officer/Spokesperson

In this role, you will also regularly organize media events and guide camera crews around our building. Together with the other press officer/spokesperson, you will coordinate the Chair’s participation in media appearances. To do your job well, you will closely follow media coverage of “The Hague.” Ideally, you’ll draw on your network of parliamentary journalists for your work. If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry: by proactively reaching out to journalists, you’ll naturally build it up.

“As a press officer, it’s fantastic, first and foremost, to follow the debates and then brief journalists on newsworthy bills. The work in the Senate is of great importance; here, senators review bills one last time before they take effect. Because the Senate operates relatively behind the scenes, this is truly a job for someone who sees opportunities, enjoys interacting with journalists, and is skilled at making the sometimes complex subject matter accessible to a broad audience.”  Irene Start, Spokesperson/Press Officer, Senate

This role requires an open-minded approach and creativity. You will be part of a communications team with diverse areas of expertise. Together, you will work on a broader communications strategy aimed at engaging as many Dutch citizens as possible in the workings of the Senate. We do this by being active on various platforms. You will be involved in a variety of projects and events, ranging from the renovation of the Binnenhof to Rule of Law Week. You may also be asked, for example, to organize and supervise educational programs aimed at young people.

Here's what you get

• Pay Grade 11 - $4,024 - $6,110 (gross)
  
• Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract
  
• Contract duration - 1 year
  
• Number of hours per week - 32–36 hours 
  

Here's what else we offer

What do we have to offer? 

The Senate is a unique workplace in many ways! What can you expect from us there?

• A personal work environment where, as a relatively small team of colleagues, we provide our senators with excellent support in their work.
• Current work on various topics that everyone in the Netherlands has an opinion about.
• An excellent benefits package in accordance with the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Rijk), including a starting salary in pay grade 11 (minimum €4,024 and maximum €6,110 for a 36-hour workweek).
• Ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement within our organization and/or among our close partners.
• Flexibility regarding remote work, employee benefits, work-life balance, and areas of professional interest.
• A pleasant workplace in a historic city palace on one of the most beautiful and chic streets in the Netherlands: Lange Voorhout. And eventually, of course, a workplace in the fully renovated Binnenhof! 

Here is what we are asking for

What do you bring to the table?

For this role, it’s important that you can think ahead and put yourself in the other person’s shoes—whether that’s our Chairperson or an eighth-grader. You understand what they need and translate that into concrete actions. You’re service-oriented but also aren’t afraid to speak up when you don’t think something is a good idea. You have an eye for detail and know how to combine substance with the right form. You also have: 

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with at least three years of broad experience in communications.
• A personable individual with excellent consulting skills.
• Anticipation, communication skills, and stress resilience as well-developed competencies. 

This is where you'll be working

About the Senate

Who are we? 

With its 75 part-time senators, the Senate is a unique institution where legislative proposals are scrutinized down to their very core: Are they legally sound, are they feasible, and will they hold up in practice? The senators examine these proposals through both a political and a critical lens—and that requires service-oriented, meticulous, and impartial support. The Senate Secretariat, with some 80 staff members—from messengers to clerks—ensures this. Working at the heart of our parliamentary democracy, then, work that matters. 

Our immediate team provides high-level support to our Chair and Clerk across a wide range of areas—from management assistants to speechwriters, and from social media specialists to protocol advisors. We are service-oriented, hands-on, and attuned to the organization’s needs. In terms of personalities, we have a great mix of creative organizational talents and sharp strategic thinkers. We have a wealth of experience, but we’re also looking for someone with fresh ideas from outside the House. 

Details

Would you like more information? 

Are you interested and would you like to know more? If so, please keep the following points in mind. 

•  You can apply until October 3. Even if you don’t think you meet all the job requirements, we’d still love to hear from you. Would you like to meet us informally first? We’d be happy to grab a cup of coffee with you.
• Do you have any questions about the position? Please contact Tim Fonck (Head of the Chairperson’s Office/Clerk, 06-28498578) for details about the position, or Roel Joosten (HR Advisor, 06-11750372) for any other questions.
• The Senate belongs to everyone and is for everyone. That is why we strive to have a staff that reflects Dutch society. We welcome all feedback!
• Are you already a permanent civil servant? If so, you can transfer while retaining your permanent contract. We are also open to temporary secondment opportunities.
• We believe it’s important to get to know each other thoroughly. As part of that process, we’d like to introduce you to various colleagues at our office so you can see for yourself whether we’re a good fit for you and your career goals. We also use an assessment and check (online) references to determine if we’re a good match.
• Working at the Senate requires some flexibility in terms of working hours and job responsibilities. In return, this flexibility also helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance. For this specific position, it is important to be present during the plenary debates on Tuesday evenings. 

Apply

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.