(Senior) Advisor on State-Owned Enterprises

Job Description

The government holds shares in a number of national and international companies that contribute to the public interest in Dutch society. These state-owned enterprises are the focus of intense public, political, and media attention. As an advisor within the Financing Department, you and your colleagues will advise the minister and work on critical issues affecting the future of these state-owned enterprises.

Together, we represent the Secretary of the Treasury in fulfilling his role as a shareholder. We are also responsible for developing and implementing policies for the management of government-owned enterprises. To do this, we need expertise in both how businesses operate and how the government functions. It is important that we have a clear understanding of what is happening in society and within the context of state-owned enterprises, as well as the role the government can or should play. For issues that are critical to the future of state-owned enterprises, we conduct our own in-depth analyses. This enables us to proactively contribute to the strategic planning of state-owned enterprises.

Your responsibilities

• You identify relevant developments and trends in the area of government shareholdings and translate these into recommendations for the minister regarding how to fulfill his role as a shareholder.
• You provide advice across the entire spectrum of the field: from strategic decisions, corporate finance, and legal issues to the appointment and compensation of supervisory board members and executive directors.
• You will regularly meet with company executives, board members, and employees. This includes shareholder meetings and regular discussions regarding investments, quarterly results, corporate social responsibility, and current developments.
• In this complex stakeholder landscape, you serve as a key link between state-owned enterprises and policymakers in The Hague.
• In your role, you maintain good working relationships with colleagues within the Ministry of Finance and other ministries.
• As a consultant, you keep a clear overview, even under pressure.

You will be joining an environment that strives for diversity, where we value your personal and professional development as an advisor. Drawing on our diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we collaborate with one another in an informal manner. (New) employees, with diverse areas of expertise, feel at home within our department. Due to the dynamic nature of your role, the lines of communication to senior civil service and political leadership are short. Our colleagues come from both the private sector (e.g., consulting, the financial sector, and the legal profession) and the public sector.

A Day in the Life

No two days are the same for a State-Owned Enterprises Advisor. You’ll work on challenging projects across multiple teams with a variety of colleagues. During the initial period, you’ll mainly work in the office to get to know your colleagues and the work well, though you’ll occasionally work from home. While you can plan a large part of your work, you’ll also regularly have to deal with urgent tasks (for example, due to current political events or media attention) that take priority at that moment.

On an average day, for example, you might meet with your team to discuss plans for the coming week, draft a recommendation for the minister regarding a major investment decision, hold an (online) meeting with employees of a state-owned enterprise to review the quarterly figures, and discuss the appointment of a new director with the supervisory board. In between, you catch up on your emails, consult with other ministries, and prepare for upcoming meetings.

Job Requirements

• You should have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as law, finance, or economics. Work experience is preferred but not required.
• You work well with others in various teams and take ownership of the team’s success.
• You are able to provide clear, well-reasoned, and concise advice, both verbally and in writing.
• You have a good understanding of political and administrative dynamics and are able to reconcile the interests of various stakeholders, weigh them against one another, and develop a consensus-based recommendation.
• You have a good overview of the situation, work in a structured manner toward a result, and are able to distinguish between main and secondary issues.

Job Application Process

• Apply with a cover letter and resume
• Initial consultation
• Writing Assignment (Online)
• Second interview
• Discussion of Terms of Employment

Terms of Employment

• Salary level: Grade 11, Grade 12, Grade 13
  
• Monthly salary: Min. €3,662 – Max. €7,094 (gross)
  
• Employment status: Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract
  
• Contract duration: 1 year
  
• Minimum number of hours per week: 32
  
• Maximum number of hours per week: 36
  

In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB). The ICB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and time. With the ICB, you can make choices that suit you and customize part of your employment benefits. For example, you can choose to have a portion of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa, or spend it on tax-friendly purposes. The Dutch government is strongly committed to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. Secondary employment conditions include various study facilities, company fitness programs, full reimbursement of your public transportation costs for commuting, and partially paid parental leave.

Details

We want everyone to feel at home at the Ministry of Finance and to be able to reach their full potential. Because working together to ensure a financially healthy Netherlands is what we stand for. We do this by drawing on diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and insights, because we believe this enhances our collective thinking. Everyone is welcome, regardless of cultural background, age, ability to work, gender, or sexual orientation. With your unique contribution, we can better respond to the needs of our society.

• Would you like to help ensure the Netherlands remains financially sound? We’d love to have you on board. To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter by April 5, 2023.
• The first round of interviews is scheduled for the week of April 10.
• The pay grade for this position (Grade 11, 12, or 13) is determined based on knowledge and experience. This means that a starting pay grade may also apply.
• In this role, you will be designated as an insider under the Finance Department’s personnel regulations. In light of the prohibition on insider trading and to prevent conflicts of financial interest, the ownership of and/or trading in securities (such as stocks and bonds) of certain companies is not permitted. Do you have questions about what this means for you? Please contact our compliance officer at ComplianceFinancien@minfin.nl, referencing “(General Treasury, Job Opening: Advisor on State Participations).”

Interested in applying?

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. Wouldyou like toknow more about this position? Please contact Lisan Grimberg (Deputy Head of Department).