Two senior consultants

The COVID-19, energy, and climate crises have magnified the societal challenges in the field of public health and society. Vulnerable groups are being hit particularly hard, and inequality of opportunity in our society is on the rise. An aging population, labor market shortages, and the future financing of healthcare are also major challenges for the coming years—challenges that extend beyond the boundaries of existing fields and disciplines. The Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) is seeking two advisors to strengthen the RVS staff, particularly in the areas of social disparities and healthy and social living environments. We are looking for advisors who wish to contribute to a sustainable framework for public health and society in the Netherlands.

The & is our symbol. It represents the inseparable connection between the two aspects of our field of work: public health and society. The & is at the heart of our mission and represents the understanding that developments in our society have implications for our individual and collective health. The RVS is an independent advisory body to the government and parliament. The Council consists of 10 members, including Chair Jet Bussemaker. The Council is supported by a team of approximately 30 advisors and staff members.

The Council’s current 2020–2024 work agenda includes five societal challenges:

1. Differences in society
2. A healthy and social living environment
3. The Limits of Healing and Improvement
4. Concerns in a tight labor market
5. Friction systems

Within these challenges, we develop concrete advisory processes, which we undertake either at the request of, for example, a government ministry or the House of Representatives, or on our own initiative. We see it as our challenge to introduce new perspectives, to deepen, broaden, and connect them. In this way, we strive to make a meaningful contribution to advancing social challenges in the realms of politics, policy, and practice.

The RVS values diversity and inclusion. We are actively working to make our organization more diverse. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and with all identities to apply.

Position

As a senior advisor, you typically serve as a project leader. In that role, you work with the members of the council to oversee the development of policy recommendations and other deliverables. In your preparatory role, you conduct research with your colleagues and speak with experts, stakeholders, healthcare providers, and citizens. Conducting thorough research and clearly articulating the resulting message in an advisory document is the essence of the position. It is important to remain mindful of the social and political context in which we operate.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Designing, implementing, and leading (consulting) projects.
• Conducting (literature) research and other forms of knowledge gathering and synthesis.
• Organizing dialogue sessions and/or expert meetings.
• Writing reports and essays.
• Building and maintaining a broad and relevant network of expertise in policy, healthcare, society, and research.
• Identifying and actively contributing ideas on relevant developments and topics that the Council could pursue.

Duties and Responsibilities

• You think at the graduate level and have knowledge of issues related to public health and society;
• You are capable of conceptual thinking and know how to translate that into concrete advice;
• You have demonstrable work experience in policy or practice related to healthcare, public health, and/or social issues;
• You are able to work well with a wide range of people, such as council members and stakeholders;
• You ensure that different perspectives are incorporated into the advisory processes; you think independently and also offer your own assessment;
• You connect easily with others, communicate clearly and persuasively, and are an excellent writer;
• You know what it takes to operate in a complex political and administrative landscape.

Terms of Employment

• Salary level 12
• Monthly salary: €4,092 – €6,045 (gross)
• Contract duration: 1 year, with the possibility of a permanent position
• 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 can count on a flexible spending account (16.37% of your gross salary) and time off (vacation hours beyond the statutory minimum and any age-based leave). At RVS, we place great value on flexibility and team interaction. Wednesday is our fixed office day; other days are flexible. In addition to in-office meetings, we organize workshop days approximately four times a year focused on team learning, leadership, and fostering individuality within the organization. There are also opportunities for personal growth and career development. Secondary employment benefits include up to 55% paid parental leave (subject to conditions), educational support, an additional leave arrangement for older employees, and a commuting allowance. You can partially customize your benefits package yourself.

Details

• Please submit your application electronically by October 19, 2022, tobedrijfsvoering@raadrvs.nl, with the subject line “Senior Advisor RVS 2022 Job Opening.”
• Would you like to learn more first? We are hosting a webinar about the position on October 12 at 8:00 PM.You can register for the webinar atbedrijfsvoering@raadrvs.nl. If you stillhave questions after that, please contact Stannie Driessen, Director of RVS, at 06 22810107 ors.driessen@raadrvs.nl.
• The process consists of a resume screening and two rounds of interviews. We aim to complete the process within six weeks of the application deadline.