counsellor crisis management

Are you an experienced counsellor in the field of crisis management? Do you want to help ensure that water authority is well-prepared for crisis situations? And do you want to work at the intersection of consulting, crisis management, policy, and collaboration? If so, the position of counsellor crisis management at Noorderzijlvest Water Authority might be the right fit for you.

Location

Groningen

Number of hours

32–36 hours per week

Salary

Scale 11, Minimum 4,780, Maximum 6,583

Interested?

You can respond by Sunday 20 September 2026

Apply Now

Portrait of Esther de Boer

Imagine

You start your day with a meeting at the Safety Region. There, you represent the “ water authority ” in the Multidisciplinary Education, Training, and Drills group. You discuss current issues, share knowledge and experience from the National Emergency Management Agency ( water authority ), and ensure that our interests are properly represented. Back at the office, you brief your colleagues and work with them to determine what actions need to be taken. Meanwhile, an issue regarding extreme weather conditions has arisen. What does this mean for our crisis management organization, and are we prepared for what might happen? You bring the right people together, provide advice, and maintain an overview of the situation.

It is precisely in this role that you realize just how much influence you have. A period of extreme drought or, conversely, heavy rain affects not only the water authority but also the surrounding area and the people who depend on it.  You ensure that we look ahead, identify risks recognise , and know what is needed when the situation calls for it. You’ll have the freedom to apply your expertise, provide independent advice, and further develop crisis management. In doing so, you’re not only working on sound plans and a strong crisis management organization, but on something that truly matters: a water authority that’s ready to respond when the community counts on us.

 

What are you going to do?

As a Crisis Management counsellor , you’ll work alongside the crisis management trainee to ensure that our organisation is well-prepared for crisis situations. These include a sewage treatment plant failure, a levee breach, extreme flooding and drought, or cybercrime. You’ll make sure that the organisation knows what needs to be done and that we—together with our partners—are well-prepared.

You identify and analyses developments and advise management on what they mean for the water authority. You serve as a sparring partner for the organisation in the area of crisis management and provide advice on policy and planning. In doing so, you look ahead: prevention is better than cure.

You will develop crisis and policy plans at the strategic and tactical levels. You will also maintain an overview of the relationship between policy, plans, education, training, and exercises. You will monitor progress and ensure that lessons learned from exercises and incidents are incorporated into policy and the professional competency program.

In the event of an emergency, our crisis management team springs into action. You will share responsibility for the education, training, and drills (ETD) of colleagues who play a role in the crisis management team. You will maintain an overview of what is needed to ensure the crisis management team remains professionally competent. The crisis management trainee will play an increasingly active role in supporting the implementation of the ETDprogramme.

And also:

  • You will develop and keep up to date the resilience plan, supplementary policy plans, and the professional development program.
  • You will represent the “ water authority ” in the Safety Region’s Multidisciplinary Education, Training, and Drills (MOTO) program.
  • You represent crisis management at the regional and national levels and coordinate with safety regions and neighboring water districts.
  • As part of the Crisis Management Department counsellor , you are involved in the policy and planning of the water authority.
  • You maintain an overview of the educational programs and training sessions required for colleagues in the crisis management organization. The responsibility for implementing these programs is increasingly falling on the trainees.
  • You evaluate escalated incidents and incorporate the lessons learned into policy and the professional development program.
  • You will drive the ongoing development of pest control plans and oversee this process. The team managers are responsible for the process and content of the pest control plans.
  • You manage the crisis management applications and coordinate internal communications.

Here's what we're asking of you

As a Crisis Management counsellor , you are a strong and collaborative counsellor. You understand what is happening within the organisation and can interpret developments in terms of what they mean for the water authority. You provide advice, monitor progress, and know when it is necessary to take a clear stance. You are adept at switching between strategic advice, policy, and the practical aspects of crisis management. You work independently, build networks easily, and know how to connect different parties with one another.

 In addition, you have:

  • Work and cognitive level at least at the higher vocational education (HBO+) level, such as Integral Safety Science or a comparable program.
  • Experience in crisis management and advising management.
  • An interest in education, training, and practice (OTO).
  • The ability to build and maintain a relevant regional and national network.

Where will you be working?

As a Crisis Management counsellor , you are part of the Strategy team. This team consists of approximately 30 employees who work on the strategic direction of the National Crisis Management Center ( water authority). The team is made up of strategists and policy advisors. Within the crisis management department, you will work closely with the crisis management trainee, team managers, and colleagues within the National Crisis Management Center ( water authority). In addition, you will maintain contact with, among others, safety regions and neighboring water boards.

Here's what we offer you

  • A challenging and varied position on a team of motivated colleagues, with plenty of opportunity to work independently and take on personal responsibilities.
  • Initially, this will be a fixed-term contract (1 year). If you prove to be a good fit, we’ll be happy to convert your employment contract to a permanent position.
  • A salary ranging from a minimum of €4,780 to a maximum of €6,583 gross per month (scale 11).
  • In addition to your gross salary, you will receive a 21% IKB allowance, which you can have paid out (monthly) or use in another way—for example, to purchase additional time off.
  • Excellent opportunities to achieve a good work-life balance, with flexible hours and working from home among the options.
  • A personal training budget of €6,000 (€12,000 for those under 35), as well as reimbursement for commuting expenses, a work-from-home allowance, and a bicycle allowance.
  • A pension plan with the ABP Pension Fund.
  • You will be based in Groningen. Our office is easily accessible by car or public transportation. 

Will you be our crisis management “ counsellor ”?


Are you enthusiastic and do you possess the required qualities? If so, please upload your cover letter and resume via the application button no later than September 20, 2026. Interviews will take place on September 25, 2026. We also invite candidates with experience in, for example, a safety region, council, national government , or another crisis management organization to apply. 

  • Would you like more information about the position first? If so, please contact Gerdie Werkman, Team Manager of the Strategy Team, at 050-3048336.
  • If you come to work for us, you must submit a Certificate of Good Conduct ( behaviour , VOG).

Your future department and organisation

About the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority

The Noorderzijlvest Water Board is located in a unique area where subsidence by natural gas extraction and earthquakes significantly impacts water management. The consequences of these developments, as well as climate change, are affecting the (bin)water system. Rising sea levels, more frequent and longer periods of heavy rain interspersed with prolonged droughts, as well as challenges related to sustainability and new (problematic) substances: these are problems that call for robust solutions. We want our (bin)water system to function as naturally as possible and to be climate-resilient, resilient, and healthy in the long term. This requires us to implement appropriate and affordable measures in a society that wants to have a say in these matters and exert influence over them.

To water authority the challenges facing our water authority , we are implementing organisation so that we are better able to work in a forward-looking and integrated manner. We believe this will lay a solid foundation for strategic thinking, for translating those plans into our day-to-day work, and for carrying out our work as efficiently as possible. And that is becoming increasingly important in a society that is changing and placing high demands on us.

Do you have any questions about the application process for this job opening?

Please contact Esther de Jager-de Brouwer at counsellor Recruitment and Selection at 050 304 89 11 or werven@noorderzijlvest.nl.

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Dynamic water world

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