Training Improvement Advisor

Job Characteristics

LocationUtrecht Contract duration1 year, which will be converted to a permanent contract upon satisfactory performance. Hours per week32 - 38 Monthly salary€4,867.00 - €6,679.00 Salary levelCivil servant scale IBBAD 11 - Civil servant scale IBBAD 11 LevelMaster/doctoral; HBO Bachelor; University Master; WO Bachelor FieldOrder / peace / security Vacancy number78843 Employment temporary appointment with a view to permanent appointment Job groupCivilian

Job Description

Play a key role in the heart of organizational change within the Army.

The Royal Netherlands Army continuously adapts to changing strategic circumstances, technological innovations, and operational insights. To ensure that army units are optimally prepared for their tasks, continuous consideration and renewal of the readiness process are essential.

As a Training Improvement Advisor, you will fulfill a steering role in shaping, adjusting, and anchoring the methodology with which the Army trains its units. You will form the substantive bridge between military-strategic visions and the actual execution regulations. You will analyze relevant societal and technological trends, assess their consequences for the Education, Training, and Knowledge Production (OTK) domain, and translate these into applicable advice and policy.

Because change and innovation within the Army require a long-term commitment, we are looking for an advisor who wishes to commit to our team for an extended period. You will build sustainable relationships, ensure the continuity of thoughtful change initiatives, and grow into the substantive and institutional memory of our department.

Your work environment and team

You will work at the G7 department within the Operations Directorate (DOPS), responsible for standardizing, evaluating, validating, and improving the readiness of the Royal Netherlands Army Command (CLAS).

The Training Improvement team consists of the team leader (lieutenant colonel) and two staff officers (major). Within this close-knit and ambitious team, you will be the only civilian colleague. You will work closely with your military teammates, but your network extends much further: you will interact daily with colleagues from other teams (such as Evaluation, Standardization, and Lessons Learned), the Planning Directorate, operational units, and external educational and training centers.

What will you do?

In this role, you will focus on researching, structuring, and (further) developing training improvement within the readiness process. Your tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and adjusting the methodology: You will actively contribute to the establishment and monitoring of the CLAS readiness methodology. You will translate the desired operational objectives into an effective system and make adjustments where practice or policy changes require it.
• Trend analysis and innovation: You will research developments in the land domain and analyze their consequences for education and training programs. You will advise on the desirability of innovations and shifts in emphasis in the training offerings.
• Translating military-strategic vision: You will analyze (military) strategic visions, doctrines, and operational concepts and translate them into applicable policy advice regarding readiness.
• Collaboration and network: You will participate in or lead project and working groups concerning the prerequisites for education and training. You will ensure good substantive alignment with both overarching directorates and the executing training centers.

Job Requirements

We are looking for a connector with demonstrable experience in change processes. You possess excellent organizational skills and understand the art of bringing different stakeholders together. Change within a large, layered organization like the Army sometimes requires perseverance; you have the patience and resilience to keep the course clearly in sight even when there are delays or setbacks.

Your profile:

• Education: At least a completed WO bachelor's degree (e.g., Public Administration, Business Administration, Educational Sciences, or a study with a military-strategic orientation). A completed master's degree is a plus.
• Work experience: Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, with a demonstrable track record in change management and policy advice and/or organizational development.
• Availability: Available for at least 32 hours per week, with the intention to commit to this section for a longer period.
• Affinity: Demonstrable affinity with education and training issues (preferably within an operational or military context) is a clear added value.

Your competencies:

• Persuasiveness and influence: You are strong in influencing and connecting people and interests at various levels.
• Independent and inventive thinking: You look beyond existing frameworks and are able to formulate creative angles when established structures are stuck.
• Emotional intelligence: You intuitively understand dynamics, know how to connect interests, and maintain an overview during substantive headwinds.
• Communication skills: You formulate clearly, correctly, and to the point, both orally and in writing at a strategic level.

What do we offer?

• A key position at the heart of the Army's organizational headquarters.
• A role with a high degree of autonomy and the freedom to organize your work as you see fit.
• Collaboration in a diverse, collegial, and driven team where civilian and military perspectives reinforce each other.
• A workweek of at least 32 hours, with flexible working hours and the possibility of partial remote work.
• Excellent secondary employment conditions, including an individual choice budget (IKB), pension accrual with ABP, and ample development opportunities.

Interested?

If you recognize yourself in this profile and want to make a lasting contribution to the quality of our units' readiness, we would be pleased to receive your motivation and curriculum vitae.

Employment Conditions

Salary levelCivil servant scale IBBAD 11 - Civil servant scale IBBAD 11 Salary descriptionSalary scale is based on 38 hours. Monthly salary€4,867.00 - €6,679.00 Employment temporary appointment with a view to permanent appointment Contract duration1 year, which will be converted to a permanent contract upon satisfactory performance. Maximum hours per week38

Other Employment Conditions

Defensie has good secondary employment conditions. From 2025 onwards, defense employees will no longer receive vacation pay and the year-end bonus as separate payments, but will accrue them monthly through the Individual Choice Budget (IKB). The IKB for defense employees totals 16.33 percent of the salary. With the IKB, defense employees can decide for themselves when, what, and how much budget they spend on time, money, or tax facilities. This can be up to the monthly accrued budget.

The IKB can be used for:

• A maximum of 15 percent of the salary can be used monthly for the exchange of the commuting allowance;
• The monthly difference between the allowance for the cost of personal transport for commuting and the fiscal maximum;
• A bicycle for personal use, including bicycle accessories and bicycle insurance;
• A computer that can also be used for work or study, including computer accessories and computer insurance;
• A battery or electrical parts for a bicycle;
• Payment of union membership fees.
• Defensie expects to further expand the possibilities of the IKB in the future.
• Secondary employment conditions include up to 75% paid parental leave (under certain conditions), study facilities, extensive sports facilities, an additional leave arrangement for the elderly, and a commuting allowance.

Special Provisions

A security investigation (VGB) is part of the application process.

It is mandatory for you, as a civilian applicant, to have Dutch nationality. The ability to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) is a condition for employment. Furthermore, a security investigation and reference check may be part of the selection procedure. This involves a background check on criminal records and financial matters, which takes an average of 8 weeks.

Selection process:
If sufficient applications from suitable candidates are received, we will close the vacancy earlier.

Your application documents will be destroyed no later than three months after the completion of the selection procedure. This period is longer than the standard period prescribed by the GDPR. This longer period is necessary in case an internal candidate initiates an objection and/or appeal procedure.

More about the Job Group

Organization Name

Ministry of Defence

Organization Description

Defensie is committed to the interests, welfare, and freedom of the Netherlands. We are active daily at home and abroad. Our global deployment strengthens international cooperation and ensures that people can develop freely. Now and in the future.

Approximately 79,000 people work directly and indirectly for peace and security within the Ministry of Defence. The ministry consists of the Materiel & IT Command (COMMIT), the Administrative Staff (the department), the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Netherlands Army, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the Defence Support Command (DOSCO).

Defensie is one of the largest employers in the Netherlands and exhibits similarities to a large company. The operational commands (Navy, Army, and Air Force), the Marechaussee, DOSCO, and COMMIT function like operating companies.

Organization URL

www.defensie.nl

Department Name

Koninklijke Landmacht

Department Description

The Royal Netherlands Army contributes to freedom, security, and prosperity in the Netherlands and beyond on the ground. The Army does this with professional and well-trained soldiers. Under the most challenging circumstances, they conduct combat operations worldwide, provide humanitarian aid, or support disaster relief. In addition to professional soldiers, many non-military employees, known as civilian positions, work for the Army. As a civilian with the Army, you support the military with your expertise. In doing so, you contribute to global peace and security.

Defensie is committed to the interests, welfare, and freedom of the Netherlands. We are active daily at home and abroad. Our global deployment strengthens international cooperation and ensures that people can develop freely. Now and in the future.

Approximately 79,000 people work directly and indirectly for peace and security within the Ministry of Defence. The ministry consists of the Materiel & IT Command (COMMIT), the Administrative Staff (the department), the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Netherlands Army, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the Defence Support Command (DOSCO).

Defensie is one of the largest employers in the Netherlands and exhibits similarities to a large company. The operational commands (Navy, Army, and Air Force), the Marechaussee, DOSCO, and COMMIT function like operating companies.

Department URL

www.werkenbijdefensie.nl

Contact Persons

For more information about this vacancy:

Robbert Verhulst
[email protected]

For more information about the application procedure:

Leonie Smaling
[email protected]
0613471132

Location: Utrecht Level: Master/doctoral; HBO Bachelor; University Master; WO Bachelor 32 - 38 hours per week €4.850 ~ €6.700 salary Order / peace / security Training Improvement Advisor This is what you will do

Play a key role in the heart of organizational change within the Army.

The Royal Netherlands Army continuously adapts to changing strategic circumstances, technological innovations, and operational insights. To ensure that army units are optimally prepared for their tasks, continuous consideration and renewal of the readiness process are essential.

As a Training Improvement Advisor, you will fulfill a steering role in shaping, adjusting, and anchoring the methodology with which the Army trains its units. You will form the substantive bridge between military-strategic visions and the actual execution regulations. You will analyze relevant societal and technological trends, assess their consequences for the Education, Training, and Knowledge Production (OTK) domain, and translate these into applicable advice and policy.

Because change and innovation within the Army require a long-term commitment, we are looking for an advisor who wishes to commit to our team for an extended period. You will build sustainable relationships, ensure the continuity of thoughtful change initiatives, and grow into the substantive and institutional memory of our department.

Your work environment and team

You will work at the G7 department within the Operations Directorate (DOPS), responsible for standardizing, evaluating, validating, and improving the readiness of the Royal Netherlands Army Command (CLAS).

The Training Improvement team consists of the team leader (lieutenant colonel) and two staff officers (major). Within this close-knit and ambitious team, you will be the only civilian colleague. You will work closely with your military teammates, but your network extends much further: you will interact daily with colleagues from other teams (such as Evaluation, Standardization, and Lessons Learned), the Planning Directorate, operational units, and external educational and training centers.

What will you do?

In this role, you will focus on researching, structuring, and (further) developing training improvement within the readiness process. Your tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and adjusting the methodology: You will actively contribute to the establishment and monitoring of the CLAS readiness methodology. You will translate the desired operational objectives into an effective system and make adjustments where practice or policy changes require it.
• Trend analysis and innovation: You will research developments in the land domain and analyze their consequences for education and training programs. You will advise on the desirability of innovations and shifts in emphasis in the training offerings.
• Translating military-strategic vision: You will analyze (military) strategic visions, doctrines, and operational concepts and translate them into applicable policy advice regarding readiness.
• Collaboration and network: You will participate in or lead project and working groups concerning the prerequisites for education and training. You will ensure good substantive alignment with both overarching directorates and the executing training centers.

This is what you get Salary levelCivil servant scale IBBAD 11 - Civil servant scale IBBAD 11 Salary descriptionSalary scale is based on 38 hours. Monthly salary€4,867.00 - €6,679.00 Employment temporary appointment with a view to permanent appointment Contract duration1 year, which will be converted to a permanent contract upon satisfactory performance. Maximum hours per week38 This is what we offer even more

Defensie has good secondary employment conditions. From 2025 onwards, defense employees will no longer receive vacation pay and the year-end bonus as separate payments, but will accrue them monthly through the Individual Choice Budget (IKB). The IKB for defense employees totals 16.33 percent of the salary. With the IKB, defense employees can decide for themselves when, what, and how much budget they spend on time, money, or tax facilities. This can be up to the monthly accrued budget.

The IKB can be used for:

• A maximum of 15 percent of the salary can be used monthly for the exchange of the commuting allowance;
• The monthly difference between the allowance for the cost of personal transport for commuting and the fiscal maximum;
• A bicycle for personal use, including bicycle accessories and bicycle insurance;
• A computer that can also be used for work or study, including computer accessories and computer insurance;
• A battery or electrical parts for a bicycle;
• Payment of union membership fees.
• Defensie expects to further expand the possibilities of the IKB in the future.
• Secondary employment conditions include up to 75% paid parental leave (under certain conditions), study facilities, extensive sports facilities, an additional leave arrangement for the elderly, and a commuting allowance.

This is what we ask

We are looking for a connector with demonstrable experience in change processes. You possess excellent organizational skills and understand the art of bringing different stakeholders together. Change within a large, layered organization like the Army sometimes requires perseverance; you have the patience and resilience to keep the course clearly in sight even when there are delays or setbacks.

Your profile:

• Education: At least a completed WO bachelor's degree (e.g., Public Administration, Business Administration, Educational Sciences, or a study with a military-strategic orientation). A completed master's degree is a plus.
• Work experience: Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, with a demonstrable track record in change management and policy advice and/or organizational development.
• Availability: Available for at least 32 hours per week, with the intention to commit to this section for a longer period.
• Affinity: Demonstrable affinity with education and training issues (preferably within an operational or military context) is a clear added value.

Your competencies:

• Persuasiveness and influence: You are strong in influencing and connecting people and interests at various levels.
• Independent and inventive thinking: You look beyond existing frameworks and are able to formulate creative angles when established structures are stuck.
• Emotional intelligence: You intuitively understand dynamics, know how to connect interests, and maintain an overview during substantive headwinds.
• Communication skills: You formulate clearly, correctly, and to the point, both orally and in writing at a strategic level.

What do we offer?

• A key position at the heart of the Army's organizational headquarters.
• A role with a high degree of autonomy and the freedom to organize your work as you see fit.
• Collaboration in a diverse, collegial, and driven team where civilian and military perspectives reinforce each other.
• A workweek of at least 32 hours, with flexible working hours and the possibility of partial remote work.
• Excellent secondary employment conditions, including an individual choice budget (IKB), pension accrual with ABP, and ample development opportunities.

Interested?

If you recognize yourself in this profile and want to make a lasting contribution to the quality of our units' readiness, we would be pleased to receive your motivation and curriculum vitae.

This is where you will work

The Royal Netherlands Army contributes to freedom, security, and prosperity in the Netherlands and beyond on the ground. The Army does this with professional and well-trained soldiers. Under the most challenging circumstances, they conduct combat operations worldwide, provide humanitarian aid, or support disaster relief. In addition to professional soldiers, many non-military employees, known as civilian positions, work for the Army. As a civilian with the Army, you support the military with your expertise. In doing so, you contribute to global peace and security.

Defensie is committed to the interests, welfare, and freedom of the Netherlands. We are active daily at home and abroad. Our global deployment strengthens international cooperation and ensures that people can develop freely. Now and in the future.

Approximately 79,000 people work directly and indirectly for peace and security within the Ministry of Defence. The ministry consists of the Materiel & IT Command (COMMIT), the Administrative Staff (the department), the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Netherlands Army, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the Defence Support Command (DOSCO).

Defensie is one of the largest employers in the Netherlands and exhibits similarities to a large company. The operational commands (Navy, Army, and Air Force), the Marechaussee, DOSCO, and COMMIT function like operating companies.

Special Provisions

A security investigation (VGB) is part of the application process.

It is mandatory for you, as a civilian applicant, to have Dutch nationality. The ability to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) is a condition for employment. Furthermore, a security investigation and reference check may be part of the selection procedure. This involves a background check on criminal records and financial matters, which takes an average of 8 weeks.

Selection process:
If sufficient applications from suitable candidates are received, we will close the vacancy earlier.

Your application documents will be destroyed no later than three months after the completion of the selection procedure. This period is longer than the standard period prescribed by the GDPR. This longer period is necessary in case an internal candidate initiates an objection and/or appeal procedure.

Feel free to ask your question

For more information about this vacancy:

Robbert Verhulst
[email protected]

For more information about the application procedure:

Leonie Smaling
[email protected]
0613471132