Sr. Advisor Technical Implementation Digital Systems

Project overview

Assignment Description Technical realization of AI provisions and digital experimentation environment Waterschap Vechtstromen wants to utilize the possibilities of artificial intelligence and digital techniques quickly and responsibly. Currently, several technical provisions and prerequisites are missing for this. The assignment consists of independently designing, managing the realization, and delivery of a secure and manageable technical basis for the deployment of Microsoft 365 Copilot, experimenting with new AI functionalities, and developing and testing AI agents.

The intended end result is a working technical environment with which Vechtstromen can:

• Make Microsoft 365 Copilot available to employees in a controlled and accelerated manner.
• Apply technical security measures (AI guardrails) for responsible AI use.
• Allow employees and innovation teams to experiment with new digital techniques in a protected sandbox.
• Safely develop, test, and evaluate AI agents before potential production deployment.
• Introduce new AI functionalities without having to redevelop all technical prerequisites each time. The assignment focuses on delivering concrete, working provisions and associated technical documentation, not on performing regular management tasks or structurally supporting the existing IT organization. Within six months of the assignment's commencement, the following results must be delivered: 1 – Technical basis for accelerated rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot A demonstrably working and documented technical setup with which Microsoft 365 Copilot can be made available to employees in a controlled manner. This includes realizing the necessary technical security settings, access rights, license provisions, and data protection measures. Additionally, the required governance agreements will be elaborated, and the technical contributions to the DPIA and data classification will be delivered for assessment by the competent officials. Result 2 – Implemented technical AI guardrails A working basic set of technical measures for access control, data protection, logging, monitoring, and control of AI functionalities. The measures will be documented and tested, demonstrating which risks are technically managed and which additional organizational measures are necessary. Result 3 – Operational AI sandbox A set up, tested, and documented experimentation environment where authorized employees can independently experiment with AI applications and new digital functionalities. The environment will have appropriate access security, provisions for licenses and model usage, and a demonstrable separation between experiments and regular production environments. Result 4 – Technical basis for agentic AI A technical design and working test provision for developing and executing AI agents. At least one representative AI agent will be successfully tested within the environment, with access rights, data exchange, logging, and human control demonstrably functioning. Result 5 – Transferable provisions The realized solutions will be provided with architecture documentation, configuration overviews, security measures, management instructions, and a substantiated recommendation for further scaling. The results will be transferred to Waterschap Vechtstromen via an agreed acceptance procedure.

Project details

• Start: 2026-11-08T23:00:00
• Location: Almelo Overijssel, NL
• Languages: Dutch

3. Specialist knowledge and expertise For execution, specialist and up-to-date knowledge of the technical implementation of AI within complex Microsoft and cloud environments is required. The contractor demonstrably possesses expertise in

• Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Azure, Entra ID, Purview, and Copilot Studio.
• Technical AI architectures, agentic AI, and protected development and testing environments.
• Information security, data classification, access management, and Data Loss Prevention.
• Cloud integration, APIs, AI models, and secure data exchange.
• Designing and realizing scalable experimentation environments.
• Technical governance, digital autonomy, and management of supplier dependencies. This combination of specialist knowledge and demonstrable implementation experience is not sufficiently available within the current staff. The assignment also requires expertise in rapidly evolving technologies and implementation methods.

4. Rationale for external hiring Waterschap Vechtstromen opts for external hiring due to the temporary, specialist, and results-oriented nature of the assignment. It concerns a one-time setup of new technical provisions requiring specific expertise and practical experience with AI implementations. The assignment differs from the regular tasks of employees within the IT organization. These employees primarily focus on the management, continuity, and further development of existing provisions. The external contractor will deliver a defined new result that can be transferred to the regular organization after delivery. The engagement is finite and focused on achieving pre-defined products. There is no question of filling a structural staffing need or replacing an existing employee. 5. Independent execution and responsibility The contractor will execute the assignment independently, without hierarchical management or daily supervision from Waterschap Vechtstromen. The client determines the desired results, the applicable security and architecture frameworks, and the acceptance criteria. The contractor independently determines the approach, methodology, work plan, and the manner in which the results are achieved. The contractor is solely responsible for the quality, coherence, progress, and timely delivery of the agreed-upon results. Coordination with the client and relevant specialists within Waterschap Vechtstromen will only occur for clarifying requirements, obtaining necessary access or information, aligning technical dependencies, and assessing and accepting delivered results. The contractor is not part of the regular hierarchical organizational structure, does not hold a line management position, and does not take over regular management or operational tasks. Where implementation depends on decisions, authorizations, or actions that can only be performed by Waterschap Vechtstromen, the contractor will provide the necessary designs, configurations, and instructions for these. These dependencies will be documented in advance. The assignment will be completed when the five agreed-upon results have been delivered and assessed by the client based on pre-defined acceptance criteria. The contractor will deliver a final report with the realized provisions, executed tests, remaining points of attention, and recommendations for structural management and potential further scaling. After acceptance, the assignment ends. Any structural work will be organized by the existing organization or through a separate assignment. Functional Requirements 1. Education and Experience Possesses at least 7 years of demonstrable experience with technical implementations, IT architecture, and digital innovation within complex organizations. 2. Specialist knowledge of Microsoft and AI Possesses demonstrable knowledge and practical experience with Microsoft 365, Copilot, Azure, Entra ID, Purview, Copilot Studio, and the technical setup of secure AI environments. 3. Experience with technical implementation Has demonstrably independently designed and realized technical provisions, including cloud environments, security measures, development and testing environments, and integrations with existing IT infrastructures. 4. Knowledge of AI security and governance Has experience with the technical implementation of security and management measures for AI, including authorization, data classification, Data Loss Prevention, logging, monitoring, and secure data exchange. 5. Demonstrably relevant network Possesses, at the start of the assignment, a current and active professional network within

• The Dutch Water Authorities.
• Het Waterschapshuis (hWh).
• Microsoft and the Microsoft partner ecosystem.
• Technical implementation partners in the field of Microsoft 365, cloud technology, AI, and information security. The candidate can demonstrate this network through previous collaborations, projects, and concrete examples of utilizing these contacts. 6. Experience within the water authority sector Has demonstrable experience with digital transformation, information provision, or technical implementations within the water authority sector and is familiar with sector collaboration, governance, and technical challenges. 7. Switching between different organizational levels Has demonstrable experience collaborating and communicating with operational managers, technical specialists, architects, security professionals, and management. Can translate technical issues into understandable choices, consequences, and decisions for management, and translate strategic ambitions into concrete technical solutions. 8. Independent execution Is demonstrably capable of independently and results-oriented executing complex technical implementation assignments without daily management or supervision from the client. Competencies Connecting and collaborative Brings people, disciplines, and organizations together. Bridges differences between innovation, technology, management, information security, and management. Knows how to involve stakeholders with diverse interests in joint solutions. Administratively and organizationally sensitive Understands the dynamics of a public organization and knows when technical issues require organizational or administrative decision-making. Strong communication at all levels Can engage in substantive discussions with technical specialists, coordinate practically with managers, and advise management and directors at a strategic level. Adapts language and approach to the conversation partner. Results-oriented and pragmatic Thinks in possibilities rather than limitations. Knows how to break down complex technical issues into executable steps and concrete results, without losing sight of security and continuity. Proactive and entrepreneurial Identifies opportunities, independently establishes connections with relevant parties, and proactively proposes solutions. Utilizes their own network to unlock expertise and technical possibilities. Persuasiveness and organizational sensitivity Can connect different interests, make resistance discussable, and create support for new technical solutions, without relying on hierarchical authority.

Preferences / additional wishes

• Experience with realizing AI sandbox environments and applications of agentic AI.
• Experience with Microsoft Copilot rollout within public organizations.
• Knowledge of the EU AI Regulation, GDPR, BIO2, and relevant security standards.
• Experience with digital autonomy, open standards, and preventing vendor lock-in.
• Experience with transferring innovative technical provisions to regular management organizations.
• A demonstrable track record in accelerating implementations involving multiple internal and external parties.