Communications Advisor

Project overview

Describe the context of the project/program in which the activities take place, when and on what grounds the project/program was completed, and what role the professional plays within the project/program.

Project/Program Description:

The Directorate-General for Undermining (DGO) and Directorate X (DX) of the Ministry of Justice and Security (J&V) aim to promote and strengthen innovation in the approach to undermining crime, with an emphasis on knowledge sharing and collaboration. This ambition stems from the agreements made within the former National Cooperation against Undermining Crime (NSOC) to stimulate partner-transcending innovation in the approach to undermining crime and to ensure sustainable innovation capacity.

In this context, ICTU has been asked to establish a national facility, the National Undermining Innovation Hub (NIO), for innovations that contribute to the approach to undermining crime. The NIO will serve as a coordination point focused on multidisciplinary collaboration on innovative and effective solutions. The goal is to make optimal use of existing knowledge and expertise, so that current and potential innovations are effectively utilized.

Because the NIO is entirely new and still in the development phase, it is crucial that all parties involved in combating undermining crime are aware of the goals the NIO pursues and the methods by which it aims to achieve those goals. For example, the NIO is working to identify innovations that are already available or still under development, both within and outside the Justice and Security domain. It is important that stakeholders know how to find the NIO to prevent the development of innovations that may already be available.

Furthermore, it is important for stakeholders to know how they can contribute to the development of innovations by participating in a trial or pilot phase, or by learning about innovations under development and which stakeholders are involved or participating.

The project 'Support NIO' started on June 1, 2026, and is currently a three-year program. Within the innovation framework of DGO and DX, the following objectives have been formulated:

End of Project/Program Description:

The deliverables will be developed and delivered (in phases) in the period from November 2026 to May 2029. Progress meetings will be held periodically based on the resources required.

What role does the professional play within the project/program:

Communications Advisor.

What assignment will the professional carry out and what activities are involved?

Develop and implement the positioning and communication of and about the National Undermining Innovation Hub (NIO), so that stakeholders know, understand, and actively use the NIO and its goals and methods as a national hub for innovation in the approach (both repressive, preventive, and proactive) to undermining crime.

The goals or results (deliverables) to be delivered (in phases):

Q4 2026

From Q1 2027

What concrete results should the professional achieve?

Results must be concrete and measurable. During the assignment, the following sub-results will be delivered (in phases):

At the end of the assignment, the following final results will be delivered:

All relevant documents, files, communication formats, and content plans will be delivered to ICTU/NIO.

When is the assignment completed and terminated?

The assignment is completed and ends when:

How, what, and when will the work/results be assessed?

Regular (at least monthly) substantive coordination will take place with project management and/or the project team regarding progress and any decision points.

What is the likelihood of exceeding the expected duration, or what uncertainties exist regarding the expected duration?

The duration of the assignment is until the end of the program.

What specific knowledge does the professional possess that the client's own personnel do not have and that a potential replacement would also need?

The professional possesses demonstrable knowledge of and experience with communication regarding undermining crime and/or other complex security issues within the public domain. Furthermore, the professional has experience in translating complex and sometimes sensitive information into accessible press and news releases and other communication expressions. Additionally, the professional has a relevant network and experience with communication within collaborations of government organizations, security services, and other public and private partners.

The specific combination of substantive knowledge of the security domain, strong editorial skills, and hands-on experience with stakeholder communication is not available within the client's capacity available for this assignment.

Desired Profile

• Supporting operational innovation needs of partners;
• Realizing multidisciplinary innovations, for which the establishment of a structural landing place is essential;
• Accelerating the application and safeguarding of proven solutions.
• Develop and execute a practical and concise communication plan, including core messages, stakeholder analysis, and a targeted communication approach;
• Develop and maintain a basic set of communication tools, including a factsheet/one-pager, core messages, stakeholder map, Q&A document, and presentation materials;
• Set up, manage, and keep up-to-date the LinkedIn page, including content planning, writing and posting messages, and utilizing relevant communication channels of collaboration partners;
• Independently write, edit, and publish press releases, news items, articles, interviews, and practical and innovation stories, aimed at the visibility and positioning of the NIO;
• Actively maintain and strengthen contacts with communication advisors and spokespersons of involved ministries, implementing organizations, and other collaboration partners, including coordinating and jointly realizing communication expressions;
• Identify and actively utilize communication opportunities related to innovation trajectories, collaborations, pilots, NIO-relevant meetings, and achieved results;
• Proactively gather relevant developments, results, and stories within the NIO and translate them into accessible, engaging communication for various target groups.
• Communication Plan: A concise and practically executable communication plan for the NIO, including core messages, target audiences, stakeholder analysis, communication channels, and a concrete content and publication plan.
• Basic Communication Package: A coherent package of communication tools, consisting of a factsheet/one-pager, Q&A document, standard presentation, and basic texts for various target groups.
• LinkedIn Communication: A set up LinkedIn page, including a content calendar and an initial series of published posts.
• Press and News Communication: An initial series of delivered press releases, news items, interviews, and practical and innovation stories about the activities, collaborations, and results of the NIO.
• Stakeholder Communication: An up-to-date overview of relevant communication contacts at collaboration partners, supplemented with concrete agreements on mutual coordination, joint communication, and utilization of each other's communication channels.
• Communication around Innovation Trajectories and Relevant Meetings for NIO: Delivered communication products for selected pilots, innovation trajectories, and external meetings, such as invitations, news items, publications, and reporting.
• An approved and executed communication plan for the NIO, including an up-to-date stakeholder analysis, core messages, and recommendations for further communication.
• A complete and up-to-date communication package, consisting of a factsheet/one-pager, Q&A document, standard presentation, basic texts, and other developed communication tools, available in editable formats.
• A demonstrable portfolio of communication expressions, including press releases, news items, interviews, LinkedIn publications, and practical and innovation stories. The portfolio will contain an overview of the delivered and actually published communication products, including publication dates and channels.
• A set up and operational communication channel and network, including a transferable content calendar, published posts, and an overview of reach and engagement.
• An established network for stakeholder communication, consisting of an up-to-date overview of communication contacts at relevant collaboration partners, made collaboration agreements, and realized joint communication expressions.
• A complete overview of the communication support for innovation trajectories, pilots, and external meetings, including the communication tools developed and published for this purpose.
• A final report with results and handover, consisting of an overview of realized products, publications, reach, stakeholder engagement, and recommendations for continuation and further development of communication.
• The agreed-upon sub- and final results have been delivered and accepted by the client;
• The results and outstanding actions have been carefully realized, documented, and, where possible, handed over;
• The client terminates the assignment due to completion, changed priorities, changed circumstances, or the discontinuation of the need for external deployment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of and affinity with undermining crime and/or other complex security issues;
• Excellent editorial skills and experience in independently writing press releases, news articles, and engaging practical stories;
• Experience in developing and practically executing communication and positioning strategies;
• Experience in maintaining contacts and coordinating communication with communication professionals from public and private collaboration partners;
• Ability to quickly understand complex content and translate it into clear, accessible communication;
• Proactive, organizationally sensitive, independent, and strongly focused on concrete results.

Requirements

Wishes

Additional Information

When you offer a professional to us as a supplier and they are placed, we will need information from you as the contracting party.

• The candidate possesses a minimum of HBO work and thinking level and has a completed HBO degree in Communication or an equivalent educational level.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrable experience as a communications advisor within the public sector;
• Demonstrable experience with communication regarding undermining crime and/or other security issues;
• Demonstrable experience in independently writing and publishing press releases, news articles, and other external communication expressions;
• Demonstrable experience with stakeholder communication within complex collaborations of public organizations.
• The extent to which the candidate independently translates a communication strategy into clear, target-group-oriented press releases, news articles, and practical stories within a public context.
• The extent to which the candidate effectively connects communication professionals from various public collaboration partners and achieves coordinated communication.
• The extent to which the candidate applies knowledge of undermining crime and/or other complex security issues in accessible and responsible communication.

Project details

• Start: 2026-10-29T23:00:00
• Location: Den Haag Zuid-Holland, NL
• Languages: Dutch