Strategic Public Affairs Advisor

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy / Information Services Directorate (DIV)

Job Description

The Transparency in Information program is seeking a strategic advisor on public access to information—someone for whom political and administrative sensitivity comes naturally and who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

The Transparency in Information (TiI) program was launched in 2021 in response to the Childcare Allowance scandal and operates on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. Our mission is to bring about improvement, acceleration, and innovation in the areas of information management, the Open Government Act (Woo), and public access to information.

Our work is often in the spotlight and is a daily topic of political discussion regarding the public’s (dwindling) trust in the government. You will contribute to this broader discussion by addressing questions such as: How can we process Woo requests more quickly? And what information should we—and do we want to—disclose to the Senate and House of Representatives?

There are various legal frameworks governing the disclosure of information, but there is also a gray area. As a government and as a society, we are seeking a new direction and corresponding policies to address this. We know that not all information can be made public, and that keeping everything behind closed doors is not the right approach either. But where, then, is the balance?

In your role as a strategic advisor on public transparency, you will contribute to this transformation, in which the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) become more transparent and open to politicians and the public. You will lead the complex discussions on this topic, both internally and across departments, and delve into the various opportunities and risks involved. Furthermore, together with other colleagues, you will ensure that new decisions and changing directions are translated into new guidelines and working methods for the internal organization.

Content Focus

The topics you will be working on are:

• Proactive disclosure of information (this refers to the disclosure of information that is not required by law, but which the government releases in the interest of transparency.)
• Active disclosure of policy memoranda to Parliament.
• Optimizing the internal Woo process for handling Woo requests.
• Active disclosure of information under the Woo.

Work

Examples of specific tasks performed by the strategic advisor on public relations include:

• Analyzing and understanding interagency memos and reports on public access.
• Implementation of interagency guidelines and instructions within the two departments.
• Drafting concise annotations, notes, and memos for various strategic stakeholders, such as the program manager, directors, and the Deputy Secretary-General, as well as responding to parliamentary questions and media inquiries.
• Preparing for internal meetings (drafting agendas, chairing meetings, writing follow-up reports, scheduling dates with the secretariat).
• Developing, organizing, and monitoring Woo pilots and transparency pilots
• Contributions to transparency recommendations.
• Developing guidelines for proactive disclosure based on research and experiments.
• Participate in interagency committees and help shape interagency developments.

Each of these initiatives takes place within a political and administrative context. That is why it is crucial to prepare, organize, and facilitate coordination with internal stakeholders, such as other departments and programs. You know who to involve at what stage to ensure that relevant stakeholders are fully engaged and that different perspectives are brought together.

You actively monitor developments related to transparency, both within the organization and externally in the political arena and society at large. When new developments or current events arise, you immediately inform the program manager about relevant opportunities and risks. In addition, you stay well-informed about other initiatives within the program, enabling you to take a holistic view and identify key connections.

Job Requirements

You are a driven and strategic professional who enjoys getting to the bottom of complex issues. You have extensive experience working in the public sector, preferably at a core ministry. You know what it takes to get things done quickly within a hierarchical environment that requires a great deal of coordination, without compromising on quality.

You are able to thoroughly analyze an issue and examine it from various perspectives. In doing so, you are capable of proactively managing a process or issue while also contributing your own knowledge and insights. You also understand how stakeholder management works both within and outside the organization.

You’re a skilled writer and find it energizing to craft concise, strategic texts. You understand that writing a good text involves a lot of editing and rewriting, and you enjoy this process of working with colleagues to produce razor-sharp memos and annotations.

You are comfortable working in a hierarchical organization with strict management, where frequent coordination is the norm. You understand that thorough consultation and coordination of actions are essential for achieving lasting results.

You thrive in fast-paced environments, work quickly, and keep a cool head during periods of tight deadlines and high pressure. You understand what it means to work within a pioneering unit of an established organization, and you can operate independently and deliver results within that context.

• At least a university-level standard of thinking and working.
• At least 4 years of work experience as a strategic or management consultant.
• At least 3 years of experience working for the federal government.
• At least 1 year of experience in a core department.
• It is a plus if you have experience with the Open Government Act, issues related to public access and transparency, or related topics.
• Experience working on programs and projects.

Skills:

• Be confident
• Proactive
• Ability to adapt quickly
• Juggling multiple tasks and being able to prioritize
• Independent

Terms of Employment

Salary level: Grade 12, Grade 13

Monthly salary: Min. €4,214 – Max. €6,989 (gross)

Employment status: Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract

Contract duration: Temporary appointment / Fixed-term employment contract with the possibility of conversion to a permanent position

Minimum number of hours per week: 36

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-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.

Details

• The introductory and selection process consists of at least two rounds of interviews and a final discussion regarding terms of employment.
• Checking references or conducting an assessment may be part of the selection process.
• Colleagues within the central government who are permanent employees may be seconded or transferred while retaining their current employment status.

If you do not (yet) have a permanent position as a civil servant, you will start with a temporary position with the prospect of a permanent one.

What else do we offer you:

• A pleasant work environment with excellent facilities, just a short walk from the central station.
• Plenty of opportunities to continue developing your skills and specialize.
• We believe it’s important to maintain a good work-life balance. Working hours can be arranged flexibly by mutual agreement.
• If you are hired, hybrid work is an option; you will work partly from home and partly at the office. We believe it is important to have a good home office setup. We therefore offer a subsidy for home office equipment and a work-from-home allowance in accordance with the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Rijk).

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We do not accept unsolicited applications for our job openings.

Interested in applying?

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy / Information Services Directorate (DIV) invites you to apply on their website. Click the button below to leave this site and go directly to the application form. The government values 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.