Team Lead, Intelligence Gathering

What will you be doing?

As the Intelligence Gathering Team Leader, you will lead a team that collects and analyzes fraud indicators for criminal investigations within the NVWA-IOD. Intelligence investigators process these indicators, supported by intelligence lawyers, and produce assessment and decision documents. You will work closely with the Intelligence Coordinator and the Functional Prosecution Service of the Public Prosecution Service. The team has many internal and external connections, which means you play a central role in the investigative process.

You are responsible for the quality and coordination of the products, serve as a sounding board, and are attuned to the political and administrative sensitivities of fraud cases. You understand the pressures on the criminal justice system and coach your team in making smart decisions. You also ensure strong collaboration with the Intelligence Analysis team, which combines analysis, international cooperation, and specialized internet investigations.

The Intelligence Gathering team consists of approximately 14 colleagues, including an Intelligence Coordinator, an intelligence lawyer, and staff from the Info Desk, who manage the mailbox, run system queries, and perform administrative tasks. We are working to expand the team, with new hires joining throughout the year. You will guide this growth, foster a positive work environment, and motivate colleagues, even when working remotely.

In addition, you will focus on three long-term priorities: streamlining the research process, strengthening data-driven decision-making, and developing the Infodesk to improve management and monitoring.

As a team leader, you are part of the Intelligence & Strategy Management Team and contribute to the further development of the IOD. Together with fellow team leaders and the department head, you work to foster strong collaboration within the department and with the Investigation Unit, ensuring that fraud is effectively combated. You involve your staff in these developments and know how to inspire them. You provide direction, calm, and attention.

You embody the NVWA’s core values: transparency, reliability, independence, and professionalism. With your change management skills, you motivate your team and bring out the best in people, both personally and professionally.

The team works in a hybrid model, spread across locations such as Utrecht, Veenendaal, Wageningen, Zwijndrecht, and Eindhoven. Every first Monday of the month, there is a joint monthly kickoff meeting in Utrecht, and team meetings are usually held in Utrecht or Veenendaal. You’ll choose your work location based on where your employees are based.

Do you see yourself in this role?

Please send us your resume and cover letter, and be sure to answer the following questions in your cover letter:

1. What appeals to you about this management position?

2. Why choose the NVWA?

3. What is your knowledge of criminal investigations? Support your answer with an example.

4. What other relevant knowledge and experience do you bring to the table?

The job interviews will take place on September 4 at our office in Utrecht. Candidates will meet with two panels.

AIVD Security Clearance Level B is required for this position.

Job Requirements

The focus of this role is on leadership qualities. You are therefore a unifying team leader who knows how to empower a team. You coach, facilitate, and advocate for your team’s interests. You take ownership of your responsibilities and are not afraid to share your vision and implement improvements. You are flexible, have a good understanding of the organization, and know how to position yourself effectively within it. You are results-oriented and resolve bottlenecks. You are not afraid to be in the spotlight and can put things into perspective. You are adept at assessing the organization’s interests. While the team and organizational goals are your top priority, you always prioritize employee development. You are a good listener and easily grasp processes. Diversity, an open culture, and a positive atmosphere are important to you, and you actively promote these values.

In addition, you have:

•  University-level work and thinking skills.
•  Proven experience in managing and coaching professionals.

The following are preferred:

•  Knowledge of and/or experience with criminal investigations.
•  (Some) knowledge of the NVWA’s areas of responsibility.
•  Knowledge of legal remedies other than criminal law, such as administrative law.
•  Experience in complex organizations where many changes are taking place.

Experience in process improvement and contributing ideas at the tactical and strategic levels.

Skills

•  Managing a group
•  Environmental awareness
•  Organizational sensitivity
•  Reflection and Self-Development
•  Employee Development

The NVWA is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of society and places great importance 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: Grade13
• Monthly salary: Min.€5,212 – Max. €7,747 (gross)
• Employment status:Fixed-term employment contractwith the possibility of conversion to a permanent contract
• Contract duration: 1year
• Minimum number of hours per week: 36
• 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, on a monthly or annual basis, 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 national government also offers an employer contribution on top of the IKB.

Vacation days

If you work 36 hours a week, you are entitled to 144 vacation hours and 64 IKB leave hours per year. Do you work more or fewer hours? In that case, these hours are calculated proportionally. And if you don’t need as much vacation time? Then you can also choose to have your 64 IKB leave hours paid out or added to your IKB saved leave.

Travel Expense Reimbursement

You will receive a commuter pass 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 eligible for an electric company car. You may also use this vehicle for personal purposes, subject to the additional tax liability.

Leave Policies

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

Pension

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

Additional 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 compensation. For example, we offer an on-call and standby duty allowance and an irregular shift allowance.

Details 

• AIVD Security Clearance Level B is required for this position.
• 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 Manager 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

You will be working in the Intelligence and Investigation Service (IOD) division. The IOD is one of the four Special Investigation Services (BOD) in the Netherlands and conducts criminal investigations across all areas of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The IOD employs approximately 170 colleagues, divided across two departments and a total of eleven teams.

You will be working in the Intelligence & Strategy Department. This department consists of more than 55 colleagues divided into four teams: two Intelligence teams, the Criminal Intelligence Team (TCI), and the Strategy and Advisory Team.

The Intelligence and TCI teams are responsible, among other things, for actively gathering information across the NVWA’s various areas of responsibility. In doing so, the Intelligence team draws on information from so-called “open sources,” while the TCI team draws on information from so-called “closed sources.”

The IOD plays a key role in raising fraud awareness within the NVWA, and the specialized knowledge and products of the Intelligence teams are crucial to the IOD’s operations. On the one hand, the teams contribute up-to-date, in-depth knowledge of the various sectors and supply chains that fall under the NVWA’s regulatory purview. On the other hand, the Intelligence teams, in close collaboration with the Criminal Intelligence Team, initiate the criminal investigations conducted by the IOD. Furthermore, the department ensures strategic and tactical coordination within the NVWA and beyond, including the commissioning ministries, the Public Prosecution Service, and investigative partners.

Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)

In the Netherlands, we take it for granted that the products we use and everything we eat are safe. We expect animals to be treated well, even if they are destined for slaughter. We want to be able to consume fruits and vegetables without a second thought, and other products are “naturally” fine too. We want to be able to walk in nature without worry and buy toys for our children without suspicion. As consumers, we simply rely on that; for us, it goes without saying.

But we sometimes forget that companies work hard every day to maintain those high standards. That it isn’t always easy for business owners to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. We also forget that the government oversees this. Safety sounds so simple, but it isn’t.

What does the NVWA do?

The staff of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) work hard every day to maintain that standard. Through dialogue with businesses in the hospitality sector, slaughterhouses, plant cultivation, and other producers, the NVWA monitors food and product safety, plant health, and the welfare of animals, nature, and the environment. We do so in accordance with national and international laws and regulations. We operate on a basis of trust, but we take firm action against businesses that do not adhere strictly to the rules. In the interest of society.

We closely monitor where the greatest risks lie and where oversight is most urgently needed, so that we can inform consumers and others in a timely manner. The NVWA also plays a key role in export inspections and in the import of products into Europe.

What does the NVWA stand for?

The NVWA is responsible for overseeing animal welfare, animal health, food safety, product safety, tobacco and alcohol prevention, plant health, and nature and the environment.

The Dutch government strives to be an employer that every employee—regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or disability—wants to work for. Addressing social issues in diverse teams makes us more effective and innovative. That makes the work meaningful and challenging. 

The NVWA is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport.