Senior Policy Advisor in the Financial and Economic Affairs Directorate (FEZ)

What will you be doing?

Within the Budget Affairs Department at FEZ, you will be one of four policy advisors responsible for the ministry’s budget documents. In your senior position, you will take a leading role in the preparation of major budget documents (draft budget and/or annual report) and an advisory role in the preparation of smaller budget documents (supplementary budgets). 

Of course, you don’t draft a budget document on your own. Dozens, and sometimes even hundreds, of people within the ministry are involved in this process. It is your responsibility to maintain an overview, manage the team, and ensure that a high-quality final product is delivered on time. This process begins with drafting a roadmap for the process and organizing a kick-off meeting for all stakeholders. Next, colleagues from the ministry provide input for all the different chapters. You compile the input, check the quality, and ensure that a comprehensive, coherent document is produced. You also coordinate with the Inspectorate of the State Finances, the Central Government Audit Service, other ministries, the Administrative Council, and the Ministers—all while the figures and texts are being adjusted almost weekly due to recent developments. You ensure timely submission to Parliament, coordinate responses to parliamentary questions regarding the report, and ensure the timely delivery of answers for parliamentary debates. Finally, you also ensure that we continue to improve and innovate in the process, including through experiments and interdepartmental consultations. 

In addition to your primary work on budget documents, there are plenty of opportunities for professional growth and other responsibilities within FEZ. Whether you enjoy organizing social activities, conducting in-depth research on specific policies, taking on a mentoring role for young employees, or driving innovation within the executive board—almost anything is possible! We’ll put together your exact job description in consultation with you, taking your personal needs and skills into account. Curious to know what your future colleagues think about this? Click this link to see the experiences of current FEZ employees. 

When is this the right job for you?

• You enjoy contributing to major societal challenges. The Tax and Customs Administration, benefits, the energy transition: the Department of the Treasury’s budget includes issues of great societal significance, involving millions or billions of euros in taxpayer money. The issues you’re working on today could make the headlines tomorrow.
• You enjoy organizing and coordinating. In the role of senior policy advisor for budget documents, you rely heavily on subject matter experts in other parts of the ministry. It is your role to organize the process so that everyone works together effectively to ultimately produce a budget document. In this role, people skills, flexibility, the ability to handle resistance, building connections, and a positive yet firm attitude are crucial.
• You’re looking for a job where you can grow quickly. Whether you’re fresh out of college or have 30 years of experience, FEZ is the place to take your career to the next level. We invest heavily in onboarding, coaching, and training for our employees. Thanks to FEZ’s unique position within both the finance sector and the federal government, there are countless projects and unique cases you can dive into. Whether you want to become a top-notch finance professional or gain leadership experience: at FEZ, it’s possible! You’ll have the freedom to shape your own development path and pace. 

Job Requirements

• You have a college-level education and at least 4 years of work experience.
• You have experience with the federal budget cycle. Experience in preparing or coordinating budget documents is a plus.
• You have an eye for detail and place a high priority on quality.
• You enjoy taking the initiative, looking for creative solutions, and thinking in terms of possibilities.
• You handle tight deadlines well and are able to stay calm and adapt to a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• You are a team player who enjoys working with others to contribute to a common goal. 

Procedure

• Would you like to help build a strong FEZ leadership team and, in turn, a strong ministry? We’d love to have you. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter.
• Would you like to get to know us better before applying? We encourage you to feel free to call Elles Bocxe, Budget Management Coordinator, at 06-11450046.
• If we see a potential match based on your resume and cover letter, we will invite you to participate in the application process. The application process at FEZ consists of the following steps: 

1. An initial meeting to discuss your motivation, background, and goals.
2. A second interview to assess your professional qualities and skills. During this interview, you may be presented with a “case study” to see how you handle professional challenges. This will also give you an even better idea of the type of work at FEZ.
3. A discussion of employment terms

Terms of Employment

Salary level: Scale 12
Monthly salary: Min. €4,278 – Max. €6,320 (gross)
Employment type: 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 

Other terms and conditions of employment

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.
• The pay scale for this position is determined based on knowledge and experience. This means that a starting pay scale may apply.
• In principle, this is a 36-hour-per-week position. A four-day part-time workweek is also negotiable.
• Choosing a new job can be quite nerve-wracking these days. That’s why we tailor your transition to be as personalized as possible. Do you have any questions about the job opening or the selection process? Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help you with your decision.
• The interview rounds are scheduled for Thursday, April 25, and Monday, April 29. The discussion regarding terms of employment is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30. We are aiming for a start date in early or mid-June. 

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.