NOTE; WE WILL ONLY ACCEPY APPLICATIONS WITH RESUME SEND DIRECTLY TO: [email protected]
Job Vacancy Announcement (Local)*:
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington D.C. has a fulltime (40 hours per week) vacancy for a Office Manager Defense (DEF) Support Office.
This is a permanent position within our organization. The initial contract will be offered for a period of two years, with a probationary period of two months. The possibility of extension is based on performance and organizational needs.
For this specific vacancy only applicants who hold Dutch nationality can be considered.
Application letters together with resume should be submitted no later than July 31st, 2026 to:
Air Commodore Erwin van Beljouw, Defense Attaché
cell: 202-294-9247
e-mail: [email protected]
Closing date for applications: 31 July 2026
Starting date (preferred): 1st of September.
Indicative Monthly gross salary: 6,336 gross (pay scale 6, step 0, dependent on qualifications and experience) based on a 40 hour week contract.
401K Plan is offered.
Health/Dental/Vision is provided on a 72%-28% employer-employee basis.
The Netherlands Government is committed to all forms of diversity and fosters an inclusive environment within its organization. Individuals interested in advancing these diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply.
*This vacancy is open to internal (local employees and partners of officials posted to a Mission in the US) and external candidates. If a local employee and a partner of an official posted to a Mission are equally qualified, the local employee shall be given priority. Furthermore, if a local employee and an external candidate are equally qualified, the local employee shall be given priority.
** As per US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employers in the US are required to ensure that all employees have the legal right to work in the US. The Netherlands Embassy / Consulate General cannot sponsor any work permits for families.
Job profile Office Manager Defense (DEF) Support Office
BASIC DETAILS
Establishment post no. : 63377516
Job title : Office Manager DEF support office
Mission : Washington D.C.
Job level : scale 6
Number of hours : 40 hours per week
A. SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Defense department represents the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) in the USA. We are the liaison for MINDEF and the separate services within the MINDEF, we advise the CdP, we take care of the NL forces in the USA, we represent our country at official occasions, facilitate visits of MINDEF officials, coordinate Foreign Military Sales and handle commercial sales for MINDEF.
The office manager (OM) works closely together with the other OM. Together they manage the support office of the Defense Department. They provide organisational, secretarial and administrative support to the Defense Department, primary the five attachés. The office managers coordinate the office activities and together they are responsible for the output of the support office. Both employees perform their work independently from each other but should be able to replace each other in periods of absence. On a regular bases there will be consultation with the Defense Attaché to discuss the short and long term activities and priorities for the support office.
OM will be responsible for information management (relations, events, visits, letters, documents, procedures) in all the support systems and coordinates all the logistic and supporting processes of events and VIP visits. The Defense Department organizes on a yearly bases around 15 events and several VIP visits which have to be prepared, executed and documented on the servers.
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B.1.1 TASKS in general
· Coordinates secretarial/administrative work, prioritising specific tasks (including mailbox management, incoming and outgoing correspondence, relation management and telephone communication).
· Compiles and stores management information (events, docs, official letters, visit schedules, procedures, event pictures etc.) of the DEF department.
· Acts as a link or contact for the internal organisation (EZ, AZ, PA, CDP) and external environment (Senior National Representatives in the USA, Department of State, Defense Attaché offices, Pentagon, Arlington cemetery, NATO, Defense industry etc.).
· Drafts reports, keeps minutes, translates, elaborates and draws up documents and takes care ofcorrespondence, following general instructions.
· Reports, welcomes and guide visitors for the DEF department.
· Monitors the internal processes and recommends improvements.
B1.2 Tasks more specific
· Coordinates the (military, traditional, ceremonial) events of the Defense Department p.e. 4 May commemoration Day, Armed Forces Day, SNR Days, Industry Days, ‘Jeneverkruizen’, wreath laying events.
· Manages the activity overview of the department for discussion during weekly P+ meeting. Action points will be noted, distributed and monitored.
· Provides general information (updated DEF DEP manual) for new employees of the department.
· Handle and submit Request for Visits for incoming defense personnel
· Handle diplomatic clearances for incoming state aircraft and Dutch Naval vessel
· Provides specific administrative, logistical and organisational support for activities and events.
· Is responsible for relations management (files in excel and/or software database, keep it up to date).
B.2 FRAMEWORK
· The method of working and how duties are performed and coordinated with the colleague OM is left largely to the OM to determine.
· The Defense Attaché is the line manager for the office managers.
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B.3 CONTACTS
· Internal: acts as a contact/link with the other embassy departments.
· Internal: DEFAT, DEF attachés, NSE and the other office employees .
· Internal: Ministry of Defense.
· External: Embassies, international attachés, DoD, Services, Pentagon, Arlington cemetery, government agencies and institutes, industry and caterers to establish appointments and arrangements.
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B.4 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
· Work largely independently.
· Skilled in Windows software such as Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint.
· Knowledge of management support methods and secretarial work (archiving techniques).
· Leadership experience to take charge in event preparations and work coordination.
· Skilled in operating as a link with third parties (external and foreign relations) at senior military and official level.
· Skilled in collecting and interpreting data and compiling management information.
· Skilled in the administrative handling of requests in a content-related manner; in advising; in providing administrative support; and in speaking to staff and third parties.
· Perfect knowledge of Dutch (speaking and writing) and good knowledge of English (speaking and writing).
· Communication skills (clearly, positive and to the point in Dutch and English).
B.5 COMPETENCES
· Results-oriented (taking time and quality of work into account)
· Ability to plan, organise and coordinate
· Ability to work in a TEAM
· Responsible, integer and discreet
· Ability to learn and being coachable
· Flexible
· Stress resistant
· Proactive
· Accurate
· Representative
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B.6 LEVEL OF EDUCATION / ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE
· Higher professional education or equivalent work experience
· Relevant work experience (minimal 5 years)
· Preferably familiar with defense, military affairs, customs and traditions
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C. WORK ENVIRONMENT
C.1
The embassy in Washington D.C. is the largest bilateral embassy of the Netherlands with approximately 110 employees. Almost all the Dutch ministries Curacao and Aruba have one or more representatives at the mission. Of the 110 employees mentioned, about 50 persons are expat. The Defense department is one of the largest departments in the embassy with 15 expats and 3 employees on a local contract.
C.2
The Defense Department consists of 18 employees; 7 officers, 6 civilians and 5 petty officers. In addition there is one driver available from the driver pool and a trainee on a six month rotation base. More specific:
: Defense Attaché (DEFAT), Navy Attaché (MARAT), Military Attaché (LAMAT), Air and Space Attaché (LUMAT), Foreign Military Sales Officer – Assistant LUMAT (ALUMAT), Foreign Military Sales Officer – Assistant MARAT (AMARAT), Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
: National Support Element Office (NSE) (3), Medical admin support and commercial sales.
: Defense Cooperation Attaché (DEFMAT), Foreign Military Sales, office support FMS, two office managers DEF support office.
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D. STAFF MEMBER PROFILE
OM likes to work for the Ministry of Defense and believes in the relevance of Defense forces. OM has a “can do” mentality is hands-on and has a focus on the desired output of the office. Work outside the standard office hours is sometimes unavoidable due to the nature of our work and is not a problem for OM. The coherence of the Defense department is strong as part of our culture. Sometimes we meet each other also outside the office. OM should feel comfortable in this environment. Good communication is the key to success so we look for a positive communicator.
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E. OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
· To work for the Defense Department means to work for the Netherlands Ministry of Defense. You will handle, see and hear classified information. Therefore a security clearance provided by the MIVD is mandatory. In order to get this clearance you must be in possession of a Dutch passport and have to fill in an application form with personal information. The MIVD should be able to obtain the necessary information in order to provide the requested clearance.
· This position is for a period of 24 months with a probationary period of two months and may be extended after these two years based on performance and organizational needs. Candidates need a working authorisation for the embassy in the US for at least 24 months at the application.
· Minimum monthly salary $ 6,336 gross (pay scale 6, step 0, based on 40hrs/wk).
· Start date: September 1st 2026.
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CONTACT
To apply, send your motivational letter and resume to;
also, for further information about the job please contact:
Air Commodore Erwin van Beljouw, Defense Attaché
cell: 202-294-9247
e-mail: [email protected]
DIVERSITY
The Netherlands Government celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to foster an inclusive environment within its organization. Individuals interested in advancing these diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Pay: From $6,336.00 per month
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
