Senior Policy Adviser on Social Development – starting in the Education sector

This vacancy from (Senior) Policy Adviser on Social Development (32 hours) – starting in the Education sector This is your next step if you:

• to use your knowledge, analytical insight and personality to help make our facilities fit for the future, with a specific focus on educational accommodation;
• You want to continue to develop yourself within a dynamic organisation and in a field that is constantly evolving,

Your role
As a (senior) policy adviser, your role is to make an active contribution to the integrated development of education policy in Apeldoorn. You will do this by identifying trends and developments (local developments, legislation, research, etc.) and translating these into, and applying them to, Youth and Education Policy. You will advise management and the board on all relevant education issues and represent Apeldoorn as a subject matter expert. As an education policy adviser, you have the ability to look ahead and understand what is needed to achieve desired objectives through strategic planning. You are not afraid to be critical and you understand what language to use to get things done.

Things to bring with you
You are genuinely committed to making a difference for the residents of the municipality of Apeldoorn, look beyond your own area of expertise and have a broad overview of the entire field of social development. You’re also a natural at building relationships, have a broad perspective and are confident and self-assured. You’re familiar with working in a political environment, and it energises you.

Collaboration comes naturally to you. You actively seek to connect with colleagues, directors and partners; you maintain a visible presence and believe that proximity and personal contact are essential to achieving results together. With strong communication skills, persuasiveness and attention to detail, you know how to inspire confidence and build support.

In addition, you will have:

• At least higher vocational education (HBO) level, preferably university (WO) level of working and thinking;
• Experience of working for local authorities or other public sector organisations, and demonstrable work experience in the field of youth and education;
• Up-to-date knowledge in the field of youth and education;
• The ability to switch between tactical and operational tasks;
• Analytical skills, vision, situational awareness, persuasiveness, political and administrative acumen, teamwork and organisational skills.

Here’s what you’ll be doing
You will make a valuable contribution to the development of young people in Apeldoorn. Key themes in the fields of youth and education include the development of a vision for a resilient and robust society, the ongoing development towards inclusive education, the ‘From School to Sustainable Work’ Act, neighbourhood-based approaches, equal opportunities and educational opportunities policy.

The core responsibilities of this role lie at the intersection of youth and education. Depending on the subject matter, you will liaise with school boards, headteachers, partnerships for inclusive education, the Centre for Youth and Family, and Samen055. You will also liaise with colleagues within the local authority responsible for youth affairs, educational accommodation, compulsory education and the Regional Medical Centre (RMC), the labour market, social security, finance or legal affairs. A selection of your duties includes:

• You will be responsible for the further development of policies relating to compulsory education and RMC, including the annual report on compulsory education, the review of policy frameworks, collaboration with partners in the field, and the transition towards a more data-driven approach. You will interpret local developments and promote optimal coordination to work together on appropriate, future-proof solutions for young people and education in Apeldoorn;
• Particular attention should be paid to efforts at the grassroots level and at the interfaces between, for example, education, the labour market and social security. This includes oversight of state education, the central admissions policy, the enriched school day, the youth education fund and the implementation of the ‘From School to Sustainable Work’ legislation;
• You will be responsible for setting up grant schemes, assessing grant applications and further developing these in line with the organisation’s strategic vision;
• You will coordinate developments, policies, issues, etc. with internal and external partners, such as school boards, other policy areas, other departments and colleagues, the councillor(s), the executive committee and the municipal council.
• You adapt national developments, legislation and pilot schemes to the Apeldoorn context;
• You will advise, in consultation with colleagues, the councillor(s), the executive committee and the municipal council. You will prepare documents for decision-making and oversee the planning;
• You will develop policies that contribute to the further development of the Youth and Education policy area. In doing so, you will draw up the necessary reports and present the analyses and conclusions.

You will be working in the Social Development Policy (BMO) department, where, together with around 45 other colleagues, you will be working on the transformation within the social sector, in areas including the Social Support Act (Wmo), Youth, Education, Health and the Participation Act. We approach this from the perspective of the resident’s everyday life, which means taking an integrated view across all areas of life and policy domains.

Working for Apeldoorn
…means working for an open and ambitious organisation. With a population of over 170,000, we are the 12th^e A municipality in the Netherlands. With around 2,000 colleagues, we are working to shape Apeldoorn today and tomorrow. Quality of life, work, living, leisure, nature and the climate. Our prosperity and our well-being. At Apeldoorn City Council, you don’t just work on policy – you work on yourself too. Because with plenty of opportunities for development, we are an ambitious organisation.

Here’s what we offer you

• A gross monthly salary of between €4,520 and a maximum of €6,422 (scale 11) based on a 36-hour week. We will determine the exact amount based on your knowledge and experience. Placement on a starting scale is a possibility;
• A contract for 32–36 hours, initially for one year with the prospect of a permanent role;
• An Individual Choice Budget (IKB) of 17,45% on top of your salary. You can use this, for example, for:
• Extra income by having it paid out.  
• Buying extra holiday hours.
• An attractive pension scheme.
• A good work-life balance, with the option to save up leave and flexible working hours;
• A focus on the opportunities we offer as an employer in the areas of learning and development, both in terms of professional skills and career progression;
• We have a multi-year professional development programme designed to support your personal development, so that we can provide the best possible service to our residents. The programme offers you the freedom to shape it yourself and make your own choices. 
• 201.6 holiday hours based on a 36-hour week;
• An attractive pension scheme;
• It’s a lovely setting, as our townhouse has been beautifully modernised and fitted out to support flexible working;
• Can you work (partly) from home in your role? If so, you will receive a home-working allowance;
• Do you travel to work by public transport? If so, you’ll be fully reimbursed. Do you travel by car, bike or on foot? If so, you’ll receive an allowance for this.

Fancy applying?
You can apply via the ‘Apply’ button until 23 November. Do you have any questions about the vacancy? If so, please contact Hinnie Bolt via h.bolt@apeldoorn.nl. Are you curious to find out what this role involves in practice? You can direct any questions about the role to Ramona Klippel, Strategic Policy Adviser for Youth and Education, on 06 346 093 07.

Everyone’s taking part
Apeldoorn City Council is an inclusive organisation. We firmly believe that a diverse organisation enables us to be better prepared for developments in society. As well as your talents and qualities, you also bring your background and preferences with you. You’re welcome here!