Staff Member

What you will be doing

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 (international) working visits, and prepare consultations with government officials and other parliaments within our Kingdom. You also ensure that commitments made by government officials are recorded and flag when they need to be fulfilled. In short, you are the linchpin in the practical organization of your committees and enhance the quality of substantive decision-making.

Work for the committees takes up most of the 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 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 the same. The Secretariat supports the members of the Senate and operates independently, with integrity, a service-oriented mindset, and proactivity, where enthusiastic and knowledgeable colleagues work together flexibly and collaboratively.

Here's what you get

• Pay scale 12: €4,691.71 – €6,907.67 (gross)
• Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract
• Temporary, with the possibility of becoming permanent
• 32–36 hours

Here's what else we offer

In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB). The ICB consists of money (16.5% 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. 

Here is what we are asking for

• You have a (law) degree and the corresponding level of academic thinking and work experience, with at least five years of professional 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.

This is where you'll be working

About the Senate of the States General

The Senate is part of the national legislature. If the House of Representatives passes a bill, the Senate must also review it. The Senate has 75 members who are elected by the members of the Provincial Councils. The members of the Provincial Councils, in turn, are elected by citizens every four years. Furthermore, the Senate is part of the High Councils of State, together with the House of Representatives, the Council of State, the Court of Audit, and the National Ombudsman.

Senate of the States General

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 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. 
• This position occasionally requires some flexibility. Work for the Senate often takes place outside the Senate building and during non-business hours, and your presence may sometimes be required. 
• 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, for example. 
• If you are already employed by the government under a permanent contract, we will assume that contract. 
• Do you have any questions about this procedure? Please contact Roel Joosten, HR Advisor, at 06-11750372. 
• If you have any questions about the position, please contact Luuk van Luijk, First Deputy Registrar/Director of Content, at 06-52450282. 
• If you don’t meet all the job requirements but believe your background provides a solid foundation for this position, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 
• Interested in applying? Please email your cover letter and resume tosollicitaties.eerstekamer@rijksoverheid.nl by February 20 at the latest.