Secretary

We are looking for a

Secretary

The CAOP Foundation carries out numerous initiatives and projects that contribute to improving the labor market across various sectors. One of its tasks is to support a wide range of consultation processes, such as works councils, employee participation committees, collective bargaining negotiations, and special committees. With your neutral stance, can you be the constant factor? Are you a reliable sparring partner for executives and consultation partners? Do you have a keen political sense? Then apply for the position of secretary!

The CAOP Foundation is seeking a secretary to support the Organized Consultation Body for the Defense Sector (SOD). This is the consultative body comprising the social partners within the defense sector. The defense employer (represented by the State Secretary for Defense or, on his behalf, the Director General of Personnel) and the employee representatives, in the form of the labor unions for defense personnel, discuss matters related to the terms of employment and legal status of both military and civilian personnel.

What will you be doing?

As secretary for the Defense Sector Consultation (SOD) and its affiliated consultation groups, you will attend meetings, most of which take place in the beautiful historic building of the CAOP Foundation on Lange Voorhout in The Hague. Afterward, you will draft a report that must meet specific requirements. You have (some) flexibility in deciding where and when you do this, provided you submit the report within the established deadlines.  

You’ll often find that the topics discussed in meetings are also at the heart of political and social debates; in other words, you’ll see news stories about issues you’re involved in through your role as secretary. As a result, the work has a high degree of social relevance.

We believe that, as a secretary (SOD), you will find the work enjoyable and a good fit if you:

• You’ll be doing a lot of writing! Summarizing meetings will take up most of your workday. Writing reports is certainly not the same as taking minutes. The goal is to capture the essence and context in a detailed yet easy-to-read narrative.
• Are you interested in what the Department of Defense does and what it stands for?
• In addition to your experience and skills as a secretary, you have (or have had) a background in public administration, human resources (HRM), or the legal field.
• You pick things up quickly and are self-motivated. As mentioned earlier, this role offers a high degree of autonomy.

During the meetings, you will also serve as the host (m/f/x). In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the meeting, you can expect participants to engage you in conversation on a regular basis. It is important that you remain fully aware of your neutral position and that you are dealing with strong-willed individuals.

The secretary’s services must be impartial. You therefore possess a high degree of political sensitivity and an eye for the relationships between (social) partners, both within and outside of various consultation settings. As a secretary (SOD), you are confident and self-assured. You do not allow yourself to be influenced and tailor the minutes to reflect the wishes of the parties involved.

The role of secretary requires a considerable degree of flexibility. As secretary, you serve as the link between all parties and are therefore essential to this process. You identify opportunities and know how to turn them into new assignments for the CAOP Foundation. You help maintain our network, and you are an independent professional who is also highly capable of working as part of a team.

What do you bring to the table?

• HBO/HBO+ level of education and intellectual ability.
• 3–5 years of relevant work experience.
• You are a strong advocate for senior officials, social partners, and other stakeholders both within and outside the defense organization.
• You have an excellent command of the Dutch language, both spoken and written.
• You are willing to adjust your work hours to the annual (meeting) schedule and understand that flexibility is important in this regard. You take into account fluctuations in workload and the effort required to handle them.

 What do we offer?

• A challenging position in an interesting and complex field.
• Depending on your knowledge and experience, the salary ranges from a minimum of €3,842 to a maximum of €5,488 (scale 10 of the CAO-CAOP collective bargaining agreement) gross per month, based on a 38-hour workweek.
• A one-year employment contract with the intention of converting it into a permanent contract.
• A wide range of training and development opportunities, including through an online learning platform.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of The Hague, with the option to work from home part of the time.
• Excellent benefits package in accordance with the CAOP Foundation Collective Bargaining Agreement, including:
• An Individual Choice Budget of 9.56% on an annual basis;
• A good pension plan with the ABP;
• An NS Business Card for trains, subways, buses, and trams, which you can also use for personal travel;
• Facilities such as a prayer room, quiet room, and lactation room, as well as vegetarian options in the company cafeteria and the option to swap various holidays;
• A net internet allowance and a contribution toward health insurance costs.

Who are we?

The CAOP Foundation is committed to a society in which everyone can participate and contribute—a society where you are seen, given opportunities, and where everyone benefits from progress. We do this by exploring, connecting, and transforming. We bring people, organizations, and governments together and tackle social issues in collaboration with them. We do this independently and through two mutually reinforcing brands:CAOPandSardes. By working together, we can scale successful local initiatives up to national programs, and conversely, we can test policies and put them into practice.

More information

For more information about the position of secretary, please contact Noëmi Limme at 070 376 5478. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Frank Korendijk, HRM Advisor, at 06 1375 1670.

Interested in applying?

The application process consists of two rounds of interviews. Are you excited about this position and do you think you meet the profile and requirements? Then we’re looking for you! Send us a cover letter and your resume via our application form. We will contact you shortly.

The CAOP Foundation is at the heart of society and works every day to address social challenges. This is only possible if our organization truly reflects society. We strive to build diverse and inclusive teams where respect is central. Only then can we gain a deeper understanding of our society and ensure that our advice is valuable. 

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