Senior Policy Advisor for the Labor Market and Strategic Human Resources Policy

Reducing the teacher shortage is one of the most important challenges facing secondary education. School boards also bear significant responsibility in this regard, for example when it comes to being good employers and implementing strategic human resources policies. Strengthening regional cooperation between school boards and with other partners can also make a significant contribution to reducing the teacher shortage. The Education Agreement, the Work Agenda, and the Work Plan set out key objectives for 2022 regarding regional cooperation, instructional time, teacher qualifications, and teacher training.

In the role of policy advisor, your primary focus will be on

• contributing to and strengthening collaboration aimed at ensuring a well-functioning labor market in the region, both among school boards and with regional partners, such as teacher training programs, the teaching profession, other education sectors, and municipalities.
  
• promoting and strengthening the strategic human resources management (HRM) of school boards and schools;
  
• promoting good employment practices and offering attractive jobs in the sector. In doing so, it is important to establish a link between the topics in the Work Agenda (instructional time, organizational changes) and what this requires in terms of strategic human resources policy, labor market policy (recruitment, new roles in secondary education), and competencies.
  

The position

As a (senior) policy advisor, you will advise the VO-raad board on the implementation of regional cooperation in the areas of the labor market, the training and professional development of education staff, and strategic human resources policy. As a policy advisor, you will discuss these issues with the members of the VO-raad to develop positions. In doing so, you will incorporate perspectives on (future developments in) working in education and the labor market.

As a policy advisor, you will work with other stakeholders in the education sector—such as the teaching profession and teacher training institutions—and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science to help implement the Work Agenda and the Work Plan. Finally, you will provide advice on initiatives related to the further development of (a sustainable support structure for) good employment practices, attractive jobs, and strategic human resources policy.

You will also be responsible for advising the employer delegation on the Voion board (A&O-fonds vo), coordinating activities, and collaborating with labor unions and professional associations. You will also participate in various advisory committees and working groups.

As an advocate, you contribute to measures that are well-thought-out and feasible and that help school boards and schools move forward. You support members in their professional development and ensure that the right conditions are in place for advocacy (such as laws and regulations, funding, and administrative agreements).

You will become part of the Professional School Organization team and will work closely with the team leader, fellow policy advisors, and a project manager. Your final responsibilities will be discussed and finalized with you and the team. As part of this team, you will, of course, collaborate extensively with other relevant teams and colleagues within the VO-raad.

We are looking for

We are looking for someone with a college-level education and mindset who:

• has experience advising in a political and administrative setting;
  
• is able to—building on the relationships you already have—proactively reach out to school boards and schools, build connections with the field, and remain relevant to it; can operate tactically and feels comfortable interacting with parties that have divergent interests;
  
• is able to participate independently in (advisory) committees, working groups, and consultations with other parties;
  
• takes the initiative and can turn analysis into action. You know how to apply insights about the labor market, good employment practices, and strategic HR policies to the secondary education sector;
  
• is capable of providing strategic advice. You can distinguish between main and secondary issues and are skilled at effectively communicating your advice both verbally and in writing;
  
• is a team player.
  

We are primarily looking for a senior advisor, but we are also open to hiring a talented entry-level policy advisor who is bold and eager to learn quickly.

What do we offer you?

• The opportunity to contribute to the core activities of the VO-raad and, by extension, to primary and secondary education in the Netherlands. You’ll be sitting at the table with all the key stakeholders in education. And you’ll gain demonstrable sector-specific knowledge about primary and secondary education.
  
• You will initially be offered a one-year employment contract for 32 or 40 hours per week at pay grade 11 or 12 (CAO-VO), with pay grade determined by your education and work experience. If possible, there is a prospect of a permanent contract based on satisfactory performance.
  
• An excellent benefits package, including a generous number of vacation days, an end-of-year bonus of 8.33%, an excellent pension plan through the ABP, and an annual training budget.
  
• We offer a supportive, informal, and dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth. We have a flat organizational structure and short lines of communication.
  
• Good opportunities to work in a hybrid model (combining office work with remote work) where desired and where possible.
  

Apply

If you are interested in this position, please email your cover letter and resume to vacature@vo-raad.nl by April 16 at the latest, with the subject line “Application for Senior Policy Advisor for Labor Market and Strategic Human Resources Policy.” Further information about this position is available by email from Bas de Wit, Team Leader of Professional School Organization, at basdewit@vo-raad.nl.De. The first round of interviews will take place on Wednesday, April 19, or Thursday, April 20, and the second round on Tuesday, April 25, or Wednesday, April 26.

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