Senior Strategic Analyst

 “I think it’s great to brainstorm with colleagues about possible approaches to various issues that arise during criminal investigations. It’s often a fun and creative process. Seeing the final results of your work is rewarding and gives you a sense that you’re doing your part to help protect food safety, for example,” saidAïsha Acda-Meniar (strategic analyst) at the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (
). 

As a (Senior) Strategic Analyst, you will be working at the Intelligence and Investigation Service (IOD) of the NVWA. The IOD is the Special Investigation Service that conducts criminal investigations across all areas of the NVWA’s remit: product and food safety, animal and environmental welfare, and plant and animal health. Organizationally, the IOD falls under the NVWA and operates under the authority of the Public Prosecution Service. Within the IOD, you will be part of the Strategy & Advice team, our dynamic strategic think tank dedicated to increasing the impact of criminal investigations. Your analytical skills will be crucial in this role. If you’re interested in an analyst position with a social impact, read on!

What will you be doing?

You analyze information from various sources to provide insights into criminal activity within the NVWA’s areas of responsibility. For example, you identify (fraud) risks in various production chains, such as the [report] or the [report]. These “fraud profiles” are both descriptive and explanatory in nature and are based on qualitative research. Creativity and the ability to write effective reports are essential in this role. As a generalist, you find it challenging and rewarding to continually delve into new topics. 

You analyze information from various sources to provide insights into criminal activity within the NVWA’s areas of responsibility. For example, identifying (fraud) risks in various production chains, such as the report “Fish Supply Chain in Focus | NVWA ” or the report “Risks in the Red Meat Supply Chain | Meat and Meat Products | NVWA.” These “fraud profiles” are both descriptive and explanatory in nature and are based on qualitative research. Creativity and strong report-writing skills are essential in this role. As a generalist, you find it challenging and rewarding to continually delve into new topics. 

In addition to fraud profiles, you also develop other analytical products, such as case analyses, or map out criminal networks using methods like crime scripting. When working on these products, it is crucial to follow a well-defined plan of action that includes clear scope, objectives, and SMART planning. 

You will also prepare administrative reports containing recommendations for investigations, oversight, and policy. You will do this in response to criminal investigations. Based on the analyses you conduct, you formulate practical recommendations—for example, regarding regulatory changes, strengthening oversight, or communication with industry sectors. You submit these for decision-making and present them clearly and persuasively to various (internal and external) audiences. You actively share your insights with other teams in the department. 

We are looking for someone who is assertive, takes the initiative, and comes up with new ideas to carry out the above tasks as efficiently as possible. You will sometimes work on your own, and other times in small groups with a few teammates or colleagues from other IOD teams. In addition, you will occasionally take on a coordinating role for new projects. In addition, there is room to tackle other exciting projects—such as exploring new investigative methodologies like crimescripting or developing new tools—together with colleagues. A keen eye for interconnections, learning opportunities, and smart working methods is what this role is all about. 

Does the position of (Senior) Strategic Analyst at the NVWA’s Intelligence and Investigation Service sound interesting to you, and do you think you’re the right person for the job? Then apply for this position today!

Job Requirements

You have extensive experience in designing and conducting strategic analyses aimed at influencing policy and/or behavior. You are creative both in identifying (potential) fraud opportunities and barriers, and in resolving substantive issues. With your knowledge of analytical and research methods, you can independently tackle a problem to achieve the desired result. The team’s mission—increasing the societal impact of criminal investigations—is your top priority.

In addition, we would like to see the following:
• A completed (behavioral science) degree at the university level;
• Your field of study and your extensive work experience should be relevant to analytical issues and advisory work in the area of fraud and/or the broad scope of the NVWA’s domains. The team strives for a wide diversity of disciplines! Currently, additional fields include: anthropology, economics, sociology, and political science;
• Knowledge of and experience with designing, conducting, reporting, and presenting analyses and research;
• Knowledge of a wide range of analytical and research methods;
• Experience advising management teams;

In your cover letter, please address the following points:
• The job posting refers to two fraud reports published on the NVWA website; in your letter, please mention two things that stand out to you in these reports;
• Project-based work is very important in this position. In your letter, provide an example of a project or product for which you had to develop an action plan, and discuss the challenges that this entailed.

Competencies
•    Analysis
• Situational Awareness
• Teamwork
• Creativity

The NVWA is committed to building a workforce that reflects society and places great value on an inclusive hiring policy. We therefore encourage everyone to apply, regardless of (cultural) background, age, gender identity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

Terms of Employment

• Salary level: Grade 12
• Monthly salary: Min. €4,691 – Max. €6,907 (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

Other terms and conditions of employment

In addition to an onboarding program tailored to your role and extensive training and/or coaching opportunities to support your professional growth, we also offer the following employee benefits:

Individual Choice Budget
You will receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB) equal to 16.50% of your gross annual salary. You can choose to have your ICB paid out, for example, monthly or annually, or you can use it to purchase additional leave hours. In addition, you can use your IKB to purchase a (electric) bicycle for commuting tax-free, set up your home office, or even make your home more sustainable. To encourage this, the federal government also offers an employer contribution on top of the IKB.

Vacation Days If you work 36 hours per week, you are entitled to 144 vacation hours and 64 IKB leave hours per year. Do you work more or less? Then these hours are calculated proportionally. And do you need a little less vacation time? Then you can also choose to have your 64 IKB leave hours paid out or added to your IKB saved leave

Travel Allowance
You will receive a mobility card that allows you to travel by train in second class for your commute. Do you bike to work? If so, you will receive a travel allowance of €0.21 per kilometer cycled.
If you hold a field-based position, you are often also eligible for an electric company car. You may also use this vehicle for personal purposes, subject to the applicable tax implications.

Leave Policies The government offers leave policies for various situations, such as (supplementary) maternity leave (up to 5 weeks with 100% pay), parental leave (up to 9 weeks at 100% pay in the first year and an additional 75% for 4 weeks), care leave, and adoption/foster care leave.

Pension The Dutch government has an attractive pension plan with ABP, the General Civil Service Pension Fund. Read more about the ABP pension plan here.

Allowances and Reimbursements For some positions at the NVWA, it is necessary to work outside regular office hours or to be on call. However, these requirements are offset by additional allowances or reimbursements. For example, we offer an on-call and standby duty allowance and an irregular shift allowance.

Details

• Applications will be considered in accordance with applicable agreements, including the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement and the NVP Application Code.
• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is required to work at the NVWA.
• If the position involves a fixed-term employment contract with the prospect of becoming permanent, the permanent contract is initially preceded by a one-year contract. Provided the employee proves to be suitable, the contract is generally converted into a permanent contract of indefinite duration after one year.
• Is this a job opening for a fixed-term contract with the possibility of becoming permanent, but do you already have a permanent position as a civil servant? If so, you will retain your permanent position.
• If the position is initially a fixed-term role, it will not be reopened if the role can be made permanent within the organization and the (initially) temporary position was filled by an internal employee with a permanent contract.
• Online screening—for example, through search engines or social media—can be part of the selection process.
• A competency test and/or an assessment may be part of the selection process.
• A comprehensive A or B screening by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) may be required for certain positions at the NVWA, including those in the Intelligence and Investigation Service (IOD).
• Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.

More about the Senior Inspector job category

The Central Government Performance Framework helps employees and managers establish performance and development goals during performance reviews and provides insight into career opportunities within the federal government.

For more information, visit the Central Government Job Classification System 

More about your future department

The Intelligence & Strategy (I&S) Department consists of four teams: the Intelligence Collection Team, the Intelligence Analysis Team, the Criminal Intelligence Team, and the Strategy & Advisory Team. The I&S Department collects and refines intelligence across all areas of the NVWA, contributes to increasing and broadening understanding of target groups and risks, and ensures internal and external coordination at the strategic and tactical levels. This coordination is specifically aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of the Intelligence and Investigation Service division, including in collaboration with other NVWA units. You will play a key role in this. The teamwork within the department is excellent.

For more information about our work, you can listen to the podcast “Roet in het eten, fraude onder de loep” (A Spanner in the Works: Fraud Under the Microscope) by the NVWA-IOD:https://open.spotify.com/show/1SfNiCnouLqG3tEfaZceU8.

Feel free to ask your question

For more information about this job opening: Lauren Dallau

0629199528

For more information about the application process: Michael Daarnhouwer

0615473857

Interested in applying?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) invites you to apply on their website. 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 encouraged to apply.