Strategic advisor Information Policy Physical Environment – IT job in Netherlands

Do you want to get started with the assignments and strategic files in the field of Physical Environment? Do you want to make a difference in the various policy files and Digital Connectivity and contribute to the transition in the living environment of citizens? Do you have experience with information change processes in a policy or advisory position? Then we are looking for you!

The VNG attaches importance to increasing diversity within the organization. Different perspectives, backgrounds and insights increase the thinking power and action perspectives of the VNG, allowing us to optimally meet the needs of our members, the municipalities. We cordially invite candidates who contribute to this to apply.

Strategic advisor Information Policy Physical Environment

(32 hours – 36 hours) Vacancy number: 23.28

What are you going to do?

You will be deployed at VNG Realisatie in the CIO position team. You are versatile and play an important role in the further development of information provision within the broad field of the Physical Environment for the benefit of municipalities. In this context you are responsible for strategic policy development. You prepare the (administrative) consultations with the government and municipalities and are the public face. You maintain official contacts up to and including director level (State) and in the governance of the VNG at municipal manager level. You are the point of contact in the field of information provision regarding policy files on the physical environment and underlying social tasks. You ensure the connection with colleagues who are involved in the management and demand role with regard to the Digital System of the Environment Act (DSO).

Within the physical domain, municipalities are primarily responsible for the implementation of the Environmental Act. The Environmental Act bundles and modernizes the laws for the living environment. This includes legislation and regulations on building, the environment, water, spatial planning and nature. The Environmental Act represents a good balance between utilizing and protecting the living environment. Municipalities, central government, provinces and water boards are working hard on setting up a Digital System for the Environment Act. By focusing on structural improvements to the current Permit, Supervision and Enforcement (VTH) system, municipalities can better cope with the increased complexity in the physical environment. The aim is to have one central digital environmental counter operational from 2024. You play an important role in connecting policy issues with direct colleagues within VNG who are involved in further development of the DSO (direction & demand DSO).

Another important development is the strengthening of the Licensing, Supervision and Enforcement (VTH) system. The VNG participates in the VTH Intergovernmental Program and works together with provinces, environmental services and ministries. Within that program, data is an important element that requires your efforts, primarily focused on data analysis and strengthening the information position of the program participants.

It is also one of the major challenges facing the Netherlands, namely the energy transition. The energy transition demands a lot from municipalities in their role as initiator, coordinator, executive party and, for example, strategy developer. We are at the beginning of this major transition and the VNG supports municipalities in this: we work with and for municipalities on a sustainable future. For example, municipalities manage the heat transition in the built environment, implement the Regional Energy Strategies (RESs), ensure the sustainability of housing and business parks, and focus on enforcement and supervision of environmental saving measures. It is about content but also feasibility, it is about the question of what we want and can do, but also, for example, about which sustainable energy techniques fit with which. What can be done now, and what can only be done later? What should we take into account and what is needed (in policy, regulations, implementation and in the field of information provision) to use these techniques.

Another important file for municipalities is Digital Connectivity. Municipalities must adapt their processes and organization to the introduction of the new Telecommunications Act. In addition, municipalities need more control over the subsurface and public space, to make social tasks such as the energy transition, climate adaptation and 5G possible.

You have a keen eye for social developments and digitalization. You coordinate the substantive involvement in major policy developments in this area and translate these into clear positions. You create order in the multitude of information by drawing up administrative notes or concise memos to substantiate the municipal position. It is important to take into account factors such as timing, communication strategy and possible allies. You enjoy bringing this point of view to discussions, but also to presentations and other strategic moments. You prepare annotations for administrative consultations and organize working visits and – if necessary – put administrators in position so that they can act. To achieve this, you communicate effectively with different levels: policy officers and municipal administrators. You conduct inter-administrative discussions at central government level with input from municipalities, and actively promote the interests of municipalities. To this end, you develop and maintain a network and forge coalitions with other parties to serve a common interest. You may have to have tough conversations about resources, but through good preparation and a pleasant communication style you will be able to achieve your goal effectively and pleasantly.

You provide added value through advocacy, strategic policy and vision development, putting important municipal positions on the agenda and by collaborating on projects and programs within the VNG and in the central government network.

What are you taking with you?

· Minimum completed university education

· At least 5 years of work experience in the municipal domain in the field of Physical Environment

· Experience as an advisor in political administrative organizations

· Experience with information change processes with multiple (chain) parties.

Competences

· Persuasiveness

· Proactive

· Independence

· Environmental awareness and political-administrative sensitivity

· Networking skills

· Results orientation.

What do we offer?

· You will receive a contract for 1 year, with the prospect of extension if performance is good and business conditions remain the same

· Your salary is a maximum of €6989.80 gross per month for a 36-hour working week (scale 13). In addition, the classification depends on education and work experience, with possible placement in an entry-level scale

· You will receive an individual choice (IKB) budget. This budget amounts to a total of 16.3% of your salary and is made up of the holiday pay of 8% and the end-of-year bonus of 8.3% + €600 gross (on an annual basis).

· Your other employment conditions are largely aligned with those of the central government

· In the event of a secondment, your employment conditions remain in accordance with your own collective labor agreement/legal position.

Your team?

The position falls within VNG Realisatie under the CIO function team. The CIO position is responsible for the information policy in chains in which municipalities collaborate with the central government for its services. This team’s task, among other things, is to support municipalities with digital government files from VNG Realisatie: in all domains, based on standards, governance principles, and information knowledge.

Who are we and what are we proud of?

The association aims to strengthen local government, so that municipalities can optimally serve their residents. We carry that in our hearts and we work on it with great enthusiasm every day. 342 municipalities determine our and therefore also your agenda. This is often influenced by daily current events, but always from the interests of our members. We are a learning organization, we continuously ask ourselves where we stand and what we can improve.

Good to know:

For more information about the vacancy, please contact Rita Stoevelaar, coordinator of the CIO position. She can be reached via telephone number 06 – 553 652 41

If you would like to apply for this vacancy, please send your CV and motivation letter to: peno.realisatie@vng.nl with vacancy number 23.28. Respond before December 4, 2023.

The first conversations will take place on Friday morning, December 8, 2023.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.