Strategic Spokesperson / Communications Advisor to the Police Leadership

Strategic Spokesperson / Communications Advisor to the Police Leadership

• Location: THE HAGUE
• Organizational Unit: Corps Leadership Staff

What will you be doing?

With the news changing daily and the wide range of topics on the communications agenda, things are always fast-paced at the Media and Public Relations Team. The topics you’ll be working on range from police operations and tackling new forms of crime to the use of force against and by the police, and how we, as an inclusive organization, are a police force for everyone. You’ll advise senior leadership, develop communication strategies, build support for the plans, and oversee their implementation. In addition, you will ensure a swift and appropriate response to media statements and requests. And you will support the police’s public figures whom you assign to media appearances.

Your role is a great mix of public relations and advisory work. You’ll work on fascinating, often complex cases and meet with executives both within and outside the police force. In doing so, you’ll closely monitor all relevant internal and external developments. You will build and maintain a network and invest in sustainable relationships with journalists and the media, partners, members of the police leadership, the police leadership staff, the Police Services Center, and the (portfolio holders in the) units. With your knowledge, good ideas, and initiatives, you actively contribute to the development of our national communication policy and strengthen the positioning of and trust in the police.

Where will you be working?

The Communications Division of the Police Leadership Staff develops corporate communications policy and serves as the national spokesperson for the police. Together with our colleagues in the Communications Division, we provide communications and media advice to the police leadership, among others,

police chiefs in the units and department heads. We handle internal communications and communicate externally on topics and issues that have a national impact on the organization. We also assist senior leadership and other colleagues with media appearances, handle protocol matters, and serve as the official spokesperson 24/7 on national issues. In addition, we maintain close contact with colleagues from the communications teams of police units across the country.

You will be joining the Media and Public Relations Team within the Executive Board. Together with twelve colleagues, you will work from the office at Nieuwe Uitleg 1 in The Hague. Here, we work independently and with dedication on various projects, and we take responsibility for all incoming requests in a collegial atmosphere. In this way, we contribute to an active and transparent police organization.

Who are you?

Responding pragmatically to the daily dynamics of news and current events, while linking those day-to-day activities to long-term strategic plans—that’s what energizes you. You look ahead, foster connections with colleagues in other units, and stay informed about what’s happening within the police force and in the world—whether in social, political, or professional contexts. You are drawn to police work and actively utilize your network. Even when the pressure is high, you work in a systematic, structured, and goal-oriented manner, demonstrate initiative, and deliver high-quality news items and strong, critical advice. Additionally, you have:

• A bachelor's degree, preferably in communications;
• extensive knowledge of the communications field and experience in crisis communications and issue management;
• extensive experience in public relations and advisory work in a political and administrative setting;
• experience in providing advice and media guidance to top-level (political) officials or the leadership of an organization;
• willingness to be on call approximately once a month after hours and on weekends.

What we offer

The position is based in The Hague. We are looking to fill one full-time position. This is a 36-hour-per-week position.

Because good people are important to the police force, we invest in your future. We offer extensive development opportunities and a temporary appointment for a one-year probationary period. If your performance is satisfactory, the appointment will be converted to a permanent position after one year.

You can also expect the following from us:

• a gross monthly salary of at least €4,373 and at most €6,183 (scale 12 Bbp) based on a 36-hour workweek;
• 8% vacation pay and 8.33% year-end bonus;
• a good pension plan and paid parental leave (more information about leave, policies, and options);
• Working from home part-time is an option.

The formal position within the police department’s job classification system is Operations Specialist D, Communications Division.

Interested?

Please call or email IJde Leijstra, Head of Media and Publicity, (06 – 83 62 17 32, ijde.leijstra@politie.nl) or Mirjam Otten, Director of Communications (06 – 51 49 83 94, mirjam.otten@politie.nl) if you would like more information about the position. For questions about the application process, please call the Recruitment & Selection Front Office at 088 – 66 22 300.

Please apply by August 19, 2022, using the " Apply" button on the job listing page of our website.

Another important point is

• A background and suitability check may be part of the selection process.
• The police are committed to innovation and addressing cultural differences within teams. Diverse teams perform better. That is why we are working hard to foster an open and safe culture where diverse talent can thrive.