Policy advisor (Beleidsadviseur)

Information on this skill...

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A policy advisor is an expert and/or researcher who specialises in policy making. In short, policy making can best be described as the formulation of new policies by carrying out research and analyzing data. In order to be able to develop new policies, a policy advisor will set clear goals. A policy advisor is usually partly or entirely responsible for the formulation of policy and the conduct of policies that concern companies, governments or other types of organizations. The profession of policy advisor can be called broad and can concern various disciplines, such as personnel policy, communication policy, organizational policy, environmental policy, leisure policy or the internet policy of organizations. At large organizations and governments, there is a policy for everything, which has come about through careful research and possible experiences, which have been gained from the past. Consider, for example, the internet policy at governments and companies, which will prohibit employees from visiting certain websites that have nothing to do with work. As a policy advisor, you have a responsible job, because you carry out important advisory work, which can be taken over by board members, directorates or ministries. A policy advisor does not only work for governments. The business community also makes use of policy advisers. As a policy advisor, you can be specialized in various fields. The exact tasks and responsibilities of a policy advisor can vary per organisation and employer, but they always have to do with policy. In addition to drawing up the company policy, a policy advisor can draw up policy measures that concern the population, for example, such as traffic policy or immigration policy.

As a policy advisor, you are therefore responsible for developing new policy. In addition, a policy advisor is usually responsible for monitoring policy and adjusting policy, if necessary. A policy advisor must have a lot of knowledge for his work and will carry out a lot of research in order to be able to analyze possible problems. The position of policy advisor occurs in all branches at different levels. Within the business community, it is generally only the larger organizations that have appointed one or more policy officers. Consider, for example, companies within the financial sector that have to deal with the compliance department. Within the compliance department, it is the compliance officers and the compliance manager who monitor compliance with the internal policy. This policy is generally drawn up by a policy advisor. The policy must ensure that companies cannot have problems with any regulators. It is conceivable that a policy advisor can be regarded as a public administration expert.

VARIOUS POLICY ADVISORS

As described earlier, there are many different policy advisors, who can deal with policy in different ways. Think, for example, of policy advisers, who advise aldermen or ministers on traffic policy, mobility or on environmental measures. Exactly which advisory work a policy advisor will give depends on the specialization. A policy advisor can only advise on policy as a specialist. In other words, a policy advisor cannot be regarded as a generalist. In general, all policy advisors look for solutions to organizational or social problems by drawing up targeted policies. Policy is a broad concept, because policy occurs in every conceivable way. Most people only have to deal with government policy on a daily basis. Government policy is usually not without obligation, because in many cases this policy can be regarded as laws and regulations that everyone has to deal with. In general, a policy advisor will have to deal with different policy officers.

VARIOUS TASKS AS A POLICY ADVISOR:

  • Advising companies and governments
  • Monitoring and analysing existing policies
  • Drawing up new policy plans
  • Consulting and collaborating with other specialists
  • Representing companies and governments
  • The search for appropriate solutions to problems

WHAT DOES A POLICY ADVISOR DO:

TRAINING TO BECOME A POLICY ADVISOR

The most targeted programme for policy advisers is generally the Hbo programme in Public Administration & Public Management, but another HBO programme may also apply, such as the Hbo programme in Business Administration, the Hbo programme in Communication or the Hbo programme in Business Management. Which course fits best is of course very personal. A policy advisor may also have received a completely different education, because a policy advisor can also be appointed as a policy advisor at a later age after another career. It is conceivable that a policy advisor will have a university degree. In that case, new policy advisors can also be trained by following a traineeship. This is often possible if it concerns a position within the government. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.

COMPANIES WHERE A POLICY ADVISOR CAN WORK

A policy advisor generally works for larger companies, governments or the semi-governmental organizations. If a policy advisor works for a policy advisory firm, a policy advisor can in many cases also be regarded as a consultant. In addition, a policy advisor can work as an entrepreneur, and thus work for different types of companies and governments.

COMPETENCES POLICY ADVISOR

The competencies that a policy advisor must have can differ in terms of content per policy advisor, because a policy advisor can be specialized in different fields. Of course, the competences of a top policy advisor who works for ministries cannot simply be compared with a policy advisor who works for companies. In general, we can say that a policy advisor must have excellent communication skills, because in most cases a policy advisor has to deal with many different people and / or agencies. Being able to negotiate and network can also be regarded as important competencies. Generally important words are vision, research, consultation, listening, integrity, analytical, collaboration, planning and organizing.

LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A POLICY ADVISOR

In general, we can say that the labour market perspective as a policy advisor is good, because the business community and the government make extensive use of policy advisors. The career opportunities as a policy advisor should be seen as growing into more important policy matters or managing other policy officers. If you have a university degree, a PhD can also be regarded as growing within your career.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY POLICY ADVISOR

There are no examples of specific employment conditions, because as a policy advisor you can work for various types of companies and governments. If you work as an independent entrepreneur, you naturally determine your own employment conditions and these do not apply. A policy advisor will usually earn a salary between 3000 and 5000 euros gross per month, depending on age, education, experience and further responsibilities. A top policy advisor who has heavy policy responsibilities can generally earn much more.

The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.

Lesen Sie diese Informationen auf Politikberater auf Deutsch.

Lea esta información sobre Asesor de políticas en español.

Lees deze informatie over Beleidsadviseur in het Nederlands.

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