Senior Advisor Project Manager Unconditional Housing IJsselland

People with complex problems, such as psychiatric disorders or addiction, sometimes exhibit misunderstood behavior, which can lead to safety risks, nuisance and exclusion. In the IJsselland region, 11 municipalities are working together with care and safety organizations to create an inclusive society for all. Within the Regional Agenda Care & Safety projects are started to improve the cooperation between care and safety. For the project "unconditional living ", we are looking for a quartermaster/project manager.

Your work

For a small group of people with a combination of serious problems - such as addiction, psychiatric disorders and inappropriate behavior - there are currently hardly any suitable residential places available. Because of their accumulation of problems, these people do not meet the conditions at existing housing or treatment centers. Or they end up on the streets, in shelters or in detention after an escalation, without a lasting solution. In IJsselland we therefore want to realize a number of "unconditional living places": a residential location where deviant behavior is possible within limits, in a safe setting and with expert guidance nearby, without the focus being on treatment recovery.

The need for the project is widely supported by administrators and professionals in the region. As "unconditional living" project leader, your assignment is to work with core partners to come up with a concrete and supported realization plan for setting up one or more locations in IJsselland for unconditional living places. This plan should form the basis for administrators to make a go/no-go decision for actual realization. First, you organize commitment among directors, form a project group and set up the project organization to involve relevant players. You develop a plan of action with phasing and decision moments and implement it together with the project group. This includes exploring suitable locations, working out what the guidance and care will look like, furnishing requirements for the location and ensuring sustainable funding. In doing so, you seek to connect with already ongoing initiatives in IJsselland. You will also set up a regional learning network to share experiences and good examples from elsewhere in order to accelerate future projects.

The Unconditional Living project is part of the IJsselland Regional Care & Safety Agenda. Your efforts will be paid from a grant from ZonMW. You report on progress and results to the coordinating steering committee of the Regional Care & Safety Agenda (currently in formation). Together with the other project leaders within the Regional Agenda and the umbrella agenda director, you are part of the 'driving group' of the Regional Care & Safety Agenda. Part of your assignment is to firmly establish the administrative mandate and support for the Unconditional Living project in consultation with the agenda director and steering committee chairman (the mayor of Deventer). The core players in this project are: the central municipalities of Zwolle and Deventer, housing corporations, various care and welfare organizations, GGD IJsselland and the Care and Safety House IJsselland.

About you

You have extensive experience in leading complex projects/programs and know the challenging issues at the intersection of care and safety from practice. You are a spider in the web and can operate at managerial, tactical and executive level. You are communicatively strong and politico-administrative sensitive. You are able to take an independent position in the playing field of the various organizations, with an eye for everyone's role and interests. In doing so, you stay focused on the overall goal of the project and the joint achievement of results. You have demonstrable affinity with this assignment and with the target group. Preferably you have a relevant network among the partners involved or you are able to quickly build and maintain it.


As Policy Advisor Social Domain you have a strategic role in developing, shaping and evaluating new social policy. You analyze trends, advise on policy choices and work with various stakeholders to find innovative solutions to social challenges.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze current developments and trends within the social domain.
• Develop and implement innovative policy proposals and strategies.
• Advise management and City Council on policy changes.
• Coordinate collaboration with external partners and stakeholders.
• Translate complex policy issues into understandable proposals and recommendations.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of new policies.

Job Requirements:

• Completed relevant college or university degree in Social Policy, Social Work, Social Work or similar.
• At least 3 years of experience as a Social Domain Policy Advisor, for example in a municipality, non-profit organization or consulting firm.
• In-depth knowledge of social welfare laws and regulations.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present policy choices.