Research Assistant to the President's Office

Position

• You will advise and assist the Chief Justice on legal, social, administrative, and political developments that are relevant to the performance of judicial duties and the social standing of the judiciary in general and the Supreme Court in particular.
• You will advise and assist the President in international relations, including contacts with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and the network of presidents of the supreme courts of the European Union. You will draft responses to legal questions from the presidents of the network. You will be involved in the Supreme Court’s cooperation with Indonesia and Suriname.
• You will review reports, legislative proposals, and policy briefs and ensure that relevant sections are readily available to the president.
• You will organize or contribute to projects, symposia, working groups, and committees on behalf of the president.
• In consultation with the Chief Justice, you will participate in working groups, committees, and projects both within and outside the Supreme Court.
• You will host groups at the Supreme Court and give presentations about the Supreme Court.
• You draft outlines for speeches and presentations.
• As needed, you will respond to letters, requests, and questions addressed to the president, or arrange for and coordinate responses from others.
• When necessary, you will serve as acting clerk in internal complaint cases to be heard by the Chief Justice. You will serve as clerk of the Fourth Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Job Requirements

• You have a master’s degree in law (Dutch law, tax law, or notarial law)
• You have several years of relevant work experience
• You have strong analytical skills
• You have strong verbal and written communication skills in Dutch and, preferably, in English as well
• You can work both independently and as part of a team

Skills

You can articulate ideas, proposals, and viewpoints clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing. You take an interest in and follow developments in society, politics, and the judiciary that may affect the duties and position of judges, and in particular those of the Supreme Court. You can provide the President with useful advice on these matters. You can also articulate the position and viewpoints of (the President of) the Supreme Court in an engaging manner regarding complex and sensitive legal, social, and political-administrative issues. You have a keen sense of sensitivities both within and outside the organization and can provide the President with useful advice on these matters. You have relevant work experience. You have the ability to maintain a strong network of contacts within the Supreme Court’s organization. You are capable of carrying out tasks within a short timeframe when necessary and achieving the desired results.

Employment Terms and Conditions and Compensation

You will start with a temporary contract, which may lead to a permanent position if your performance is satisfactory. Your salary will be determined based on your years of work experience in accordance with the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Rijk), initially at pay scale 11.

Grade 11 has a maximum gross monthly salary of €6,110.94 for a 36-hour workweek, excluding the 16.5% Individual Choice Budget (IKB). After one year of working at the Supreme Court in the position of research assistant and with 6 years of relevant legal work experience, the salary will be set according to Scale 12, provided performance is satisfactory. Scale 12 has a maximum of €6,907.67 gross per month, excluding the 16.5% IKB. 

Details

After a stint in the president’s office, a position in the Supreme Court’s research bureau is a possibility.

After approximately six years as a research assistant, you are expected to take the next step in your career. There are plenty of opportunities to take courses.

The Supreme Court is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment where colleagues feel valued and respected, regardless of their background, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or disability. Diversity, in the form of varied backgrounds and perspectives, is valued and recognized by the Supreme Court as an essential asset that strengthens our organization.

Interested?

For more information about the position, please contact the court clerk, Ilona Wolffram, at 06-52 87 75 36.

Please submit your application, including your resume and transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s programs, by September 8, 2024. We would appreciate it if you could include one or more legal documents you have authored. Please send your application to vacature@hogeraad.nl, referencing the position of Research Assistant to the President.

An assessment or writing test may be part of the process.

Job interviews will take place in the first half of September 2024.