Project Manager for Drug Enforcement in the North Sea Canal Area

The position

As a project manager, you are committed to making the North Sea Canal Area (NZKG) safer and more ethical. Within the Strong NZKG program, you will work at the tactical and operational levels, connecting local and national public and private partners, such as the Port of Amsterdam and the Safe Business Platform. You translate partners’ needs into concrete projects and products, such as training programs, useful tools, and reporting systems. With your experience and independence, you lead the project, organize meetings, and build a strong network. In this way, you help identify signs of disruptive drug-related crime more quickly and increase the willingness to report such incidents.

Here's what you do on an average day

• You will discuss with companies and government agencies their specific challenges and needs in the areas of security and resilience.
• You will design and develop the content for training sessions and meetings.
• You connect companies with service providers and experts who can help them build resilience.
• You will work with freelancers, companies, and suppliers to develop appropriate tools and programs.
• You will work to encourage companies and government and quasi-government agencies to report incidents.
• You manage the budget for your project.
• You will engage government agencies and ensure their involvement in the programs being developed.
• You keep your network informed about the latest trends, developments, and tools related to drug smuggling (and how to combat it) to keep them engaged and up to date.
• You will provide input for new products, such as e-learning modules and videos, and ensure that the content aligns with the project’s objectives.

This is where you get started

We strive to be a great employer that ensures all our colleagues feel seen and valued. We embrace the differences among our colleagues; these differences lead to better results for both our organization and our city. We aim to build a workforce that reflects Amsterdam’s diverse population. So, whoever you are, you’re more than welcome here!

North Sea Canal Area Project

The North Sea Canal Area (NZKG) is an international hub for trade, logistics, and manufacturing. It is strategically located on the North Sea, connected to the Rhine, and close to major European markets and manufacturing centers. The NZKG consists of the ports of Amsterdam, Beverwijk, Zaanstad, and Velsen/IJmuiden. The same qualities that make the NZKG attractive for legal activities are exploited for illegal (drug) trafficking: its geographic location, economic efficiency, and excellent infrastructure are making the port region increasingly popular among criminal organizations.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Justice and Security has been providing ongoing funding to combat international drug trafficking at the five largest logistics hubs in the Netherlands, including the NZKG. Using these funds, the government partners (municipalities, Customs, police, Public Prosecution Service, FIOD/Tax and Customs Administration, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, RIECs, Port of Amsterdam) have established a joint program called “Strong North Sea Canal Area.” The program consists of four pillars: Information Overview, Barriers, TCOH (Surveillance, Control, Investigation, and Enforcement), and Resilience. This final pillar focuses on increasing the resilience of companies/organizations and their employees against criminal interference and drug trafficking. The toolkit of products (reporting cards, training sessions, training videos) developed for this purpose in recent months must be further developed, expanded, and rolled out in close collaboration with public and private partners. This program falls under the administrative purview of the City of Amsterdam. The City of Amsterdam therefore acts as the employer.

What you bring

• Knowledge of the security sector: You have insight into security dynamics within both the public and private sectors and understand the importance of collaboration between these sectors. Please explain this in your cover letter.
• Communication skills: You can effectively interact with stakeholders at both the operational and executive levels and communicate clearly and persuasively, both in writing and verbally.
• Commercial awareness: You strategically position public products and exert influence, with a focus on gaining acceptance and overcoming resistance, thereby building support for security objectives and resilience initiatives.
• Coordination: You are able to smoothly navigate the diverse interests of various parties, such as the police, Customs, and security companies.
• Strong organizational skills: You can keep track of multiple projects and tasks and plan efficiently, ensuring that all actions align with the program strategy.
• Collaboration: You’ll work in a small team and actively contribute by communicating openly, asking for help when needed, and keeping others informed of developments.
• Independence: You take the initiative and are able to set up and successfully complete projects on your own without direct supervision.
• Solution-oriented: You can effectively handle unexpected problems and quickly come up with practical solutions for new situations in a complex work environment.

What we offer you

As a project manager, you will join our team for 32–36 hours per week and can expect the following terms of employment:

• A gross monthly salary ranging from a minimum of €4,264 to a maximum of €6,072 (pay scale 11) or from a minimum of €5,070 to a maximum of €6,862 (pay scale 12), based on a 36-hour workweek. The exact pay grade and salary will be determined based on your education, knowledge, and experience.
• A 12-month employment contract, with the possibility of a permanent contract thereafter if you do not currently have an employment contract with the City of Amsterdam, or if you have only a temporary contract.
• If you already have a permanent employment contract with the City of Amsterdam, you will retain it and be transferred.
• Opportunities for professional development and training. Our in-house training center, the Amsterdam School, offers a variety of training programs, professional development tracks, and on-the-job coaching to help you continue to challenge yourself.
• An individual flexible budget (IKB) equal to 17.05% of your salary, which you can use for things like additional pension contributions or extra days off.
• A pension plan with ABP, the pension fund for the public sector and education.
• A travel allowance of €0.10 per kilometer for travel by car, €0.15 per kilometer for travel by bicycle, and €0.21 per kilometer for travel by public transportation. This applies to a one-way commute of up to 45 kilometers and for the number of days you work in the office.
• For days you work from home, you will receive a work-from-home allowance of €3 net per workday that you work from home.
• A monthly contribution toward health insurance.
• Hybrid work: In this role, you can work partly from home and partly in the office. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, we (preferably) work in the office. Our office is located in the Customs and Tax Administration building near Sloterdijk in Amsterdam. On the other days, you can work hybrid. We provide (home) office equipment to help you set up a safe and healthy workspace.
• A cell phone and a work laptop.

Want to know more about our employment terms and conditions? View the Amsterdam Municipal Staff Regulations (PGA) at www.amsterdam.nl/pga.

Apply for this job

• If this job opening interests you, please submit your applicationby December 1 at the latestusingthe application formon our website.
• We look forward to receiving your cover letter, in which you explain—in no more than one A4 page—why your work experience and skills are a good fit for this position. Please note: Your cover letter will be taken into account during the selection process and is therefore an important part of your application.
• The selection process begins immediately after the application deadline and consists of two rounds of interviews.
• If your resume and cover letter meet the job requirements, we would be happy to invite you for an interview.
• The first interviews will be held in person on December 5 and 6 at our office in Sloterdijk, Amsterdam. The second interviews will take place during the week of December 9.
• We require a recent Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG-P) from every colleague who joins our team.

Do you have any questions about this job opening?

For more information, please contact Program Manager Sjoerd Verhagen (06 1862 1281) or project manager Marloes de Heij (06 4206 3009).