Marine - Officer - Military Lawyer Data and AI

Introductory text

Can you quickly understand complex issues and do you understand the importance of data and information for the Royal Netherlands Navy? Can you clearly explain what is legally possible and what is not, and can you switch just as easily with users as with lawyers and data scientists? Then we are looking for you!

This is what you will do

As an officer lawyer in the Royal Netherlands Navy, you provide advice on all sorts of legal matters that a commander or head of department is confronted with in their duties. A military lawyer has a broad foundation and advises on various fields, but you will begin your career in the field of AI, cyber, and privacy. This is a young and dynamic field for the military lawyers of the Royal Netherlands Navy in which we are pioneering and in which your specific expertise is valued. That is why we are specifically looking for someone who already has extensive experience with these topics.

So you are not just applying for this position, but for a career as a military lawyer. The military lawyer advises particularly in the areas of international law, humanitarian law, law of armed conflict, military criminal and disciplinary law, and military civil service law, and now also on AI, cyber, and privacy. Good to know: occasionally, as a military member, you will participate in exercises at home and abroad, both at sea and on land. Like every military member, you must take into account, even as a lawyer, that you may be deployed.

At the Royal Netherlands Navy, we work with current technologies, such as image recognition and language technology, to make a difference in areas such as maritime situational awareness, unmanned systems, and predictive maintenance. The projects you are involved in are extremely diverse. Think of research into new methods for securing critical infrastructure, or the use of image recognition to identify risks on the battlefield. Not only AI law issues arise in this context; international law, criminal law, and cyber can also play a significant role. It always revolves around converting data into information in the military playing field. From concept development to implementation, you ensure that we handle data and (generative) AI responsibly and that our products comply with the AI Act, the Data Act, and privacy laws and regulations.

In addition, you will also provide lessons for fellow (military) lawyers and other colleagues on your specialization.

PLUS POINTS OF THIS FUNCTION

• Salary: your gross base salary, plus allowances and our favorable travel, pension, and health insurance schemes, will result in a pleasant net surprise.
• Work atmosphere: nowhere will you be part of such a close-knit team of colleagues as in the Ministry of Defence.
• Growth opportunities: besides being an employer, the Ministry of Defence is also a large training institute where you can follow (paid) training courses to grow personally and professionally.
• Challenge: you have a lot of responsibility and it is a new function that still needs to be set up; no two days are the same.

Do you want to use your legal knowledge in a unique military work environment? Then this is your chance.

This is where you will work

You will be working within the Legal Affairs department of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Here you will be part of a team of 14 (military) lawyers. The entire legal service group of the Royal Netherlands Navy consists of approximately 40 military lawyers. Together, you will discuss complex issues and share knowledge and experience. In addition, you are part of a broad defense network of approximately 200 lawyers within the Ministry of Defence, civilian and military, ensuring your legal knowledge continues to develop.

However, an important part of your work in this position will be at the Maritime Data Science Center in Den Helder. This is an innovative hub where 22 data scientists and advisors work on smart data applications for the Navy. Other parts of the Navy, such as the Marine Corps, can also call on you. You will therefore support all units and departments of the Royal Netherlands Navy and will not be sitting statically behind a desk, but will also actively visit units and departments.

Before you start, you will first complete a short 13-week officer training program to get to know the Navy organization well and to discover what it means to be a military member. Like every military member, you will change positions every 3 years. A unique opportunity to work in multiple legal fields and in all sorts of interesting locations.

YOUR CAREER

• After your training, you will start in your position as Officer Lawyer in the field of AI, cyber, and privacy. You will hold this position for at least four years.
• Like every military member, you will change positions every 3 years, but in your case, this will focus primarily on the legal field within the Ministry of Defence.

Perhaps you have doubts. We don't. We see not only who you are now but also who you can become. What you don't know today, you will learn tomorrow. With good education, training, guidance, and a team that stands behind you.

Don't worry, we believe in you. At the Ministry of Defence, you will receive everything you need to grow: good education, training, coaching, and a team that supports you. If it still doesn't work out? We will help you further. Together, we will look at where you do belong within the Ministry of Defence.

Do you have more questions about this vacancy? We are happy to help.