Senior Policy Officer, Party for the Animals, Gelderland

The Party for the Animals’ Provincial Council caucus in Gelderland is a small, passionate group that works tirelessly to create an animal-friendly, green, and just province.

In a political climate where short-term economic interests take precedence, we consistently stand up for those who are vulnerable and have no voice.

Our goal? To keep Gelderland a livable place for all its residents—both people and animals.

To provide policy support for our caucus, we are looking for a dedicated senior policy officer (20–28 hours) with a keen political sense, a way with words, and deeply green ideals.

Do you know what’s happening in Gelderland when it comes to animals, nature, the environment, and climate? Do you follow provincial politics closely and want to work with us to bring about real change?

Then read on!

What will you be doing?

As a senior policy advisor, you serve as the political and substantive support and pillar of the caucus.

Drawing on your in-depth knowledge of key provincial policy issues, you will provide the caucus with input for debates and media statements. You will actively follow the political process and identify opportunities to place our core issues on the agenda and achieve concrete political results.

You contribute ideas on the use of political tools and draft compelling proposals that bear the unique hallmark of the Party for the Animals. Setbacks and political resistance fuel your fighting spirit and creativity. A dynamic political environment that requires you to adapt quickly brings out the best in you.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing policy documents in provincial policy areas such as Natura 2000 and nitrogen, the energy transition, (ground)water issues, mobility, forest stands, and wildlife policy.
• Translating the contents of our files and our positions into concise recommendations for members of the Provincial Council and party supporters to use in debates and media statements.
• Drafting motions, written questions, amendments, legislative proposals, and requests for debates and agenda items.
• Actively monitoring and providing advice during important committee meetings and Provincial Council meetings.
• Consult with civil society organizations, experts, and government officials.
• Processing Woo requests and following key decision-making and appeal procedures, including those before the Legal Protection Commission.

Who are you?

• You have a higher vocational education (HBO) or university (WO) level of work and thinking.
• You endorse the positions of the Party for the Animals and the need for systemic change.
• You have knowledge of—and preferably experience with—the processes of (provincial) politics.
• You are proactive, good at setting priorities, and a true team player.
• You have a keen political instinct and can spot political opportunities with unerring accuracy.
• You have an excellent command of the Dutch language, both spoken and written, and can independently draft political proposals and questions—even on short notice—that reflect the Party for the Animals’ philosophy.
• You have a solid general understanding of the most important provincial policy issues and can quickly familiarize yourself with new topics.
• You have at least a basic understanding of administrative law, international nature conservation law, and the Environment Act.
• You're comfortable using standard computer programs and are an expert at organizing files online.
• Ideally, you live in Gelderland and are involved in issues related to animals, nature, the environment, and climate in the province.
• You are available in person on Wednesdays. On days other than Wednesdays, you will generally work from home.
• You should preferably be a member of the Party for the Animals and not be active in any other political party.

Knowledge of and experience with (one of) the following topics is a plus:

• Legislation Regarding Animal Welfare
• Land Use Planning
• Land Policy
• Environmental Legislation
• Making Society More Sustainable: Climate and Energy Transition

What do we offer?

• Work alongside a friendly, sociable, and motivated team.
• A varied job with plenty of room for initiative in a challenging environment.
• A competitive salary and excellent benefits, including a retirement plan, the option to work from home with a work-from-home allowance, and (partially) flexible working hours.
• This is a salaried position.

Are you interested?

Please send your cover letter and resume to danielle.vandeweerd@psgelderland.nl by August 1, 2026.

For more information about the job opening, please call Danielle van de Weerd (Member of the Provincial Council) at 06-15034438.

Want to learn more about our political group’s work? Visit www.gelderland.partijvoordedieren.nl and follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky.

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