Staff Member

Job Description

As a staff member, you contribute to parliamentary democracy in the Netherlands on a daily basis. This role is at the heart of the Senate’s core legislative process. Every Tuesday, the entire country can see and hear that the Senate’s work runs smoothly. To ensure this, thorough preparation, collaboration, and coordination on the other days of the week are essential.

As a staff member, you will be assigned to one or more committees. Together with your colleagues (committee clerk, information specialists, and support staff), you will handle the substantive and organizational preparation for committee meetings. You draft committee letters, analyze legislative proposals, organize working visits, and prepare for consultations with government officials. You also ensure that commitments made by government officials are recorded and track when they must be fulfilled.

In short, you play a central role in the day-to-day organization of your committees and help ensure high-quality decision-making on substantive issues. Work for the committees takes up most of your workweek, but depending on your expertise and ambitions, other (ad hoc) tasks may also be assigned. When necessary, you may occasionally step in to assist other colleagues. In addition, we at the Senate also place great importance on your professional development and ensure that there are ample opportunities for it.

The Senate offers a structured and dynamic work environment where no two days are alike. The Senate Secretariat supports the members of the Senate and operates with independence, integrity, a service-oriented mindset, and a proactive approach, with enthusiastic and knowledgeable colleagues working together flexibly and collaboratively. A sense of humor and the ability to keep things in perspective are essential qualities in this role.

Job Requirements

• You have an academic level of work and thinking, with at least five years of work experience at the intersection of politics and public administration.
• You have extensive experience in a role that requires both organizational and substantive skills.
• You have a good understanding of the organization, working methods, and processes within the States General, and you have a keen sense of political and administrative dynamics.
• You are able to handle stress well, are service-oriented, and have strong analytical skills. You communicate effectively and enjoy working closely with colleagues.

Terms of Employment

Salary level: Scale 12
Salary description: The salary listed is based on a full 36-hour workweek.
Monthly salary: Min. €4,214 – Max. €6,227 (gross)
Employment: Fixed-term employment contract with the prospect of 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-efficient 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’d like to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of the role, your colleagues, and the context of our organization. That’s why we’re organizing two in-person interviews at our office, where you’ll have the chance to talk with teammates, the management team, and HR, and get a feel for the atmosphere for yourself.
• Naturally, we also hope to get as complete a picture of you as possible. As part of this process, an assessment and reference check (both online and by phone) will be included in the selection process.
• The role of staff member requires a certain degree of flexibility from time to time. For example, committee meetings on Tuesdays sometimes take place in the evening. Conversely, you can also expect flexibility from us when it comes to balancing your work and personal life, and it is common practice within the organization to work partly from home.
• Do you have any questions about the position? Please contact Luuk van Luijk at 06-52450282.
• Do you have any questions about the procedure? Please contact Roel Joosten, Senior Operations Advisor, at 06-11750372.

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.