Key Skills

Job Description

Your job Would you like to contribute to the quality of education at Wageningen University? As Secretary of the Board of Education, you play a pivotal role in the governance and decision-making processes related to the quality and innovation of all bachelor's and master's degree programmes. You support the Board not only administratively, but also substantively and procedurally. You safeguard the quality of decision-making processes, advise on governance-related matters, and draft memoranda on behalf of the Board of Education. Does this appeal to you? We would like to get to know you. The Board of Education governs over 50 accredited bachelor's and master's degree programmes at Wageningen University and is responsible for ensuring the quality of education. The Board consists of four staff members and four student members and is chaired by the Dean of Education. In this varied role, you serve as the central point of support for the Board of Education and contribute to its effective functioning as a governing body. You will work closely with members of the Board of Education, the Dean of Education, policy advisors, programme directors, and other stakeholders across the university. You will be supported by the Board of Education Assistant. Your Duties And Responsibilities Include Taking the lead in the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of governance and decision-making processes related to educational quality, quality assurance, budget allocation, and educational policy. Advising on governance, procedural, and regulatory matters, and maintaining the Board of Education Regulations. Preparing Board of Education meetings together with the Board of Education Assistant, drafting minutes and action lists, and monitoring the follow-up of actions and decisions. In addition, you ensure that decisions are communicated clearly and effectively to all relevant stakeholders. Supporting policy development and decision-making by independently drafting and preparing memoranda and formal advice on behalf of the Board of Education, for example recommendations to the Executive Board or responses to proposals submitted by programme directors or programme committees. Independently drafting the annual report of the Board of Education, including analysing key developments and financial results. You are also responsible for the maintenance of the Board's archives. Contributing to the recruitment and selection of new student and staff members of the Board of Education and supporting their onboarding and induction programme. Serving as the substantive and procedural point of contact for the Board of Education in its interactions with internal stakeholders, including policy advisors, programme directors, examination boards, and programme committees. Your team You will join the Policy Support team, which consists of the staff supporting the Board of Education and the Programme Committees, and the policy advisors. You will regularly coordinate your work with the Coordinator Policy Support and work closely with the members of the Board of Education, the Dean of Education and the policy advisors. Your primary place of work will be Wageningen. Because of the Policy Support team day and the Board of Education meetings, you will in any case work on campus on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You will work here You will join Education & Student Affairs (ESA), the central education department of Wageningen University. ESA plays a key role in connecting educational demands and supply and is responsible for quality assurance, policy development, and policy implementation. Within ESA, staff work on both accredited degree programmes and education for professionals. In addition, the department supports students, teaching staff, and the delivery of education. ESA is led by the Dean of Education. Your qualities You are proactive and able to work highly independently. You have a structured and meticulous approach to your work and maintain an overview, even when managing multiple priorities. You ensure that commitments are met and deadlines are achieved. You handle confidential information with discretion and act with integrity. You Also Possess A completed hbo degree and/or an academic level of working and thinking. Excellent written communication skills in both Dutch and English. Digital skills: you are proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams, manage documents accurately, and can use AI applications responsibly to work efficiently. Experience with independent policy development and preparation, governance support, or advisory roles on governance-related matters within a complex organisation, preferably in a higher education environment. Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear policy recommendations, management advice, and well-founded governance decisions. In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale) C1. We offer Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-of-employment). A few highlights from our collective labour agreement include: sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave; working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance; there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee; a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%; excellent pension scheme. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a gross salary of between € 3,706.- and € 5,760.- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities) (scale 10). We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation. If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy (https://wur.service-now.com/esc?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0012172) sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Coming from abroad WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”. Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/). This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job. Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands. Important information For more information about the position, please contact Jetske ten Caat, Coordinator Policy Support, via phone number: +31 6-39089097 or via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Edvard Jongschaap, Corporate Recruiter, via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Ready to apply? Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. You can apply up to and including Monday the 12th of October 2026. Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date. Welcome, safe, and valued Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization. We are The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines. Read the 5 reasons (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus! We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Support the Board of Education’s governance and decision-making on educational quality, policy, quality assurance, and budget allocation, including advising on procedures and regulations. Prepare meetings and formal documents, monitor decisions and actions, maintain records and archives, and support Board member recruitment and onboarding.

Requirements

A completed higher professional education degree and/or academic-level working and thinking ability is required, along with excellent written communication in Dutch and English and English proficiency at C1 level. Candidates should have experience in policy development, governance support, or governance-related advisory work, preferably in higher education, as well as strong analytical, organizational, and digital skills.

Benefits

• Sabbatical Leave
• Study Leave
• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Working Hours
• Campus Sports Facilities
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme