Who we are  

BIJ12 is the implementing organization for the 12 provinces and brings together knowledge and information about the rural area and physical environment in the Netherlands. BIJ12 ensures uniformity in information supply and implementation of provincial regulations.
  

Context  

Client for the Improving Program for VHR Monitoring (VVM) is the Steering Committee for Nature Monitoring and Information with participants on behalf of the ministries of LVVN (former LNV), IenW, Defense and the cooperating provinces. Its implementation is housed at BIJ12. A program team of project leaders, project staff, consultants, program support and a program manager give substance to the program, in close cooperation with a network of staff from the provinces, the State and other organizations involved.  

Background VHR Monitoring Improvement Program.  

BIJ12 is contractor of the Improvement Program for VHR Monitoring (VVM). In it, work is done on the necessary and urgent improvements in the national system of nature monitoring, information supply and reporting, arising from the joint information needs of Program Nature (PN), Program Nitrogen Reduction and Nature Improvement (PSn) and the National Program Rural Area (NPLG). Their implementation is a task for Provinces and the State jointly.     

To be able to support the provinces even better in the longer term with reliable nature information, BIJ12 is committed to a program for the period 2024 - 2030 that is aimed at strengthening existing and new instruments for nature monitoring and at improving the cooperation between the parties that together give substance to the chain of nature information.  

The activities in this program are organized along three substantive program lines, which stem from the various forms of monitoring: Nature Measures, Environmental Conditions and Target Reach. In addition to these program lines, there is a fourth program line Data and Information, which creates products for the program lines, such as a data infrastructure.Each program line has a project team. The project team coordinates activities and works together with representatives and experts from the participating organizations to achieve program results. 

What you will do  

The purpose of this assignment is to develop an assessment system to determine the quality of habitat types and species habitats. In order to meet the current information demands at the area level, different approaches per reporting format and within them per proponent have been developed in recent years. The lack of a methodology that is applied in the same way by all governments has led to many critical questions and distrust from both politics and society about comparability of reports and quality of assessments. To get a good picture of the VHR target area, one uniform assessment method is necessary which is scalable and comparable between different reports and which complies with the legal frameworks.   

These assessment frameworks do not stand alone but are part of a coherent system of the Dutch implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. The frameworks of the system are determined by the obligations of the Birds Directive, the Habitat Directive and, after decision-making, possibly also the Nature Restoration Regulation. It is the explicit goal of the assignment to develop and describe the assessment system from the perspective of the entire coherent system.   

The initiators (provinces, Rijkswaterstaat and Defense) will use this assessment system so that after implementation there will be a nationwide uniform assessment. Part of the assignment is to set up and carry out pilots to experience the assessment system in practice and to continuously test and improve it. These pilots will be carried out by the expert team (see below) and/or in cooperation with pioneers. You will not be on your own but will participate in a team of ecological experts in the field of nature (monitoring) and policy.   

For the expert team we are looking for support from a (senior) administrative lawyer with extensive experience in the field of nature protection. Preferably someone who has a practical attitude and can think along towards workable solutions as the link between policy and implementation. You will assist the team in finding solutions that balance the interests of all stakeholders internally and externally.    

You will carry out this assignment independently and you will direct yourself by constantly looking through a legal lens.  

You have good communication skills, you use your analytical skills to unravel complex legal issues and you give advice with conviction. You think in scenarios and offer prospects for action.   

The expert team's solutions must comply with the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Nature Conservation Act and (after decision-making has taken place) the European nature restoration regulation.You will also help to test whether the assessment system is suitable for licensing and fits within provincial regulations.    

In summary, you know how to bridge the gap between what is legally possible, required and politically desirable and ensure that justice is done to different interests.   

What do we offer you?
A substantively challenging position with social impact and the opportunity to contribute to sustainable nature policy. Collaboration with the top experts in the ecological field. 

Practical information 

• Number of hours: 8 to 24 hours per week (Hybrid, at home and on location in Utrecht) 
• Start date: In consultation, taking into account vacations 
• Renewal options: 2 x 12 months 
• Application interviews: October 13, 2025 10:00 - 13:00 in Utrecht 

Do you want to help build reliable and uniform nature information for the Netherlands? Respond and become part of our team of experts! 

Renewal options of 2 times 12 months. Renewal takes place on otherwise equal contractual terms (including the hourly rate).