Senior Policy Officer

Careers at Discriminatie.nl (Amsterdam Region)

Would you like to help tackle discrimination and inequality in the Amsterdam region? Do you have an interest in social issues, diversity, inclusion, monitoring, and research? Do you have sufficient legal knowledge and the ability to work on a project basis? If so, this challenging position—with enthusiastic and dedicated colleagues—is for you!

Why Discriminatie.nl Amsterdam Region?

Because you thrive in an informal, self-directed work environment. You believe in the power of diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable society with an open mind. With us, you’ll work alongside our team to find meaningful solutions for people who experience, witness, or hear about discrimination.

Discriminatie.nl Amsterdam Region is seeking a Senior Policy Officer who will share responsibility for developing, promoting, and implementing DRA’s policies. This includes monitoring the nature and scope of our own data, which contributes to addressing discrimination and racism in the region with the goal of achieving an inclusive and just society in the region. Together with the director, you will maintain grant relationships with the municipalities and urban areas in the region and serve in an advisory capacity. This also involves monitoring developments in municipal politics and assisting in administrative consultations between aldermen and DRA. You will lead working groups, draft policy documents and reports, engage with residents and professionals from stakeholder organizations, and monitor progress and outcomes. You are also jointly responsible for managing, establishing, and monitoring networks of all relevant stakeholders in the region.

What we're looking for:

1. Academic level of work and thinking, preferably with legal knowledge of the General Equal Treatment Act (AWGB);
2. Experience with diversity, inclusion, and addressing discrimination;
3. Academic experience and an interest in conducting scientific research;
4. Environmentally sensitive (politically and socially);
5. You know exactly how to address social challenges and have the experience and knowledge gained through several years of work in government agencies and/or organizations dedicated to combating discrimination and racism;
6. A relevant network and social engagement;
7. Skilled at building networks, both within and outside the organization;
8. Ability to lead projects and coordinate efforts;
9. A team player with a keen understanding of administrative and social dynamics.

Diversity and inclusion are our top priorities. We strive to build a team that reflects the diversity of the Amsterdam region.

DETAILED PROFILE

The organization

Regional

Discriminatie.nl Amsterdam Region (DRA) is an independent foundation and regional anti-discrimination body (ADV) dedicated to addressing and preventing discrimination. We carry out these tasks on behalf of all municipalities in the region and collaborate with local, regional, and national organizations in the field of equal treatment and anti-discrimination. We do this through:

1. Complaint handling, mediation, and recording;

2. Consulting;

3. Education and training;

4. Research and policy;

5. Prevention and education.

To implement the Municipal Anti-Discrimination Measures Act (WGA), DRA 2 performs two core tasks required by law:

• Provide independent assistance and advice regarding discrimination complaints.
• Recording and reporting complaints of discrimination.

DRA offers an independent, accessible service that is open to everyone in the Amsterdam region. We handle complaints under equal treatment laws, mediate, and seek sustainable solutions. We also maintain records to highlight the nature and scope of discrimination and, for example, provide local and regional governments with information to inform policy-making. In addition, we conduct research, provide advice and training, offer public education, and collaborate with partners.

DRA is a publicly funded organization and, as such, carries out its statutory duties under the Municipal Anti-Discrimination Provisions Act on behalf of the municipalities of Aalsmeer, Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Diemen, Ouder-Amstel, Uithoorn, and the Weesp-Driemond urban areas.

Nationwide

DRA is a member of the national Association Against Discrimination (Discriminatie.nl). The association has a total of 19 members, and together we serve more than 90% of Dutch society.

DRA Structure, Management, and Board

Our Amsterdam office is home to a small team of 11 people led by the director. The board oversees this team. The board consists of at least five members and adheres to the Social Work Governance Code.

Our Promise

• A visible, accessible, and user-friendly facility for all residents in the Amsterdam region.
• Outreach approach: building partnerships through walk-in consultation hours in the Amsterdam region and participation in events.
• Proactive and expert complaint handling for all residents in the Amsterdam region.
• Support vulnerable groups where necessary.
• Proactively identify issues and share them with supply chain partners.
• To provide insight into reports, the nature, and the extent of experiences of discrimination among all residents in the Amsterdam region.

Purpose of the position

• As a Senior Policy Officer, you will actively contribute to the preparation, development, and implementation of policies across the various policy areas within the organization. This work helps address discrimination in the Amsterdam region, with the goal of fostering an inclusive and equitable society in the region.
• You will conduct applied scientific research, including research to support policy. This research provides insight into specific topics, enabling the provision of effective advice. In relevant projects, the senior policy officer provides functional guidance to one or more staff members and supervises university student researchers.
• You will work closely with and advise the director, your colleagues, and the DRA board.
• You will manage grant relationships with municipalities and urban areas in the Amsterdam region and translate complex social issues into concrete policy proposals and recommendations. This also includes monitoring political developments in the municipal councils of grant-awarding bodies regarding the fight against discrimination.
• You will maintain relationships with partners in the chain, including the police, the Public Prosecution Service, government ministries, the NCDR, the NCAB, and other stakeholders.
• You play an active role in achieving results and collaborate with various internal and external stakeholders. 

Organizational position

The senior policy officer:

• Reports to the director of DRA.
• Serves as a project assistant and receives operational guidance from the director.
• Provides project leadership and is a team player.
• Works with the team to build and maintain a network of relationships with local governments, the police, the Public Prosecution Service, civil society organizations, and key figures from various vulnerable communities within the organization’s service area.
• You serve as a point of contact for stakeholders. You advise them on how to address discrimination in a broad sense.
• Conducts research on and monitors its own registration data.

Results by region

• Developing policy;
• Implementing policy;
• Evaluating policy implementation;
• Customer relationship management;
• Maintain and expand networks;
• Transferring information;
• Advise;
• Monitoring.

Knowledge and specific job characteristics

• A college or university level of work and thinking, and preferably legal knowledge of the General Equal Treatment Act (AWGB); 
• Strong communication and presentation skills;
• Proficiency in Dutch and English;
• Environmentally sensitive (political and social developments/understanding of and knowledge regarding administrative relationships);
• Knowledge of research methods and techniques;
• Possession of a relevant network and a commitment to social engagement;
• Strong project management and change management skills;
• Preferably holds a driver's license;
• Willingness to travel;
• Preferably living in the Amsterdam area.

Skills

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Analytical skills;
• Results-oriented;
• Consulting skills at the tactical level.

If you share our mission and meet these job requirements, we encourage you to apply. We strive to build a diverse team that reflects the population of the Amsterdam region. 

Terms of Employment

• A gross monthly salary between €3,577 and €5,272 (Scale 10 of the Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement) based on a 36-hour workweek.
• A one-year employment contract, with the option to extend.
• An individual choice budget (ICB) for additional pension contributions or paid leave.
• Opportunities for training, professional development, and personal growth.
• Pension plan through ABP and reimbursement of commuting expenses for those living outside Amsterdam.
• Fixed office days with the option to work from home one day a week, subject to agreement.

Will you be our new colleague?

Are you interested in this position? If so, please apply for this job opening. For more information about the organization and the position, please contact Jerrol Marten, Director of Discriminatie.nl Amsterdam Region (06-33735959). You can express your interest by sending a cover letter and resume by Sunday, June 1, 2025, to Yvonne Calf (Office Manager), email: y.calf@discriminatie.nl.

We will only consider complete applications. The personal information you provide will be used solely to process your application and select candidates. Unsolicited solicitations in response to this ad are not appreciated and will be marked as spam.