‘We do not work with numbers, but with people’

A client manager at the IND focuses on contact with the "recognised sponsors". These are persons or organisations that regularly apply for residence permits and that the IND considers reliable partners. These include universities, universities of applied sciences or businesses that hire expats. In addition, the client manager at the IND also decides on applications by other parties that would like to become recognised sponsors.   

Win-win situation

'What it ultimately comes down to’, Romina says, ‘is that as client manager I am an important contact person for recognised sponsors. Do they have questions about the residence permit and compliance with it? Do they want a status update? Is it not clear which documents they have to deliver? Do they want to become or remain recognised sponsors? An organisation can contact me for these types of substantive things. Experience shows that the better the contact the less chance there is that enforcement will be necessary. Then we as IND can point out someone’s obligations in time, so that recognised sponsors know with which rules they have to comply. At the same time it helps if they are well able to find the IND in case of uncertainty. So it is a win-win situation for both parties.' 

Bored? Not here

According to Romina the duties of a client manager cannot easily be summarised on one sentence. 'This is because the work is so varied. I have contact with our business clients almost every day. The questions they ask are very diverse. Sometimes I can answer them easily, but I find it even nicer if they are complex or specific. Then I can investigate independently in order to arrive at an answer. Mainly that variation and challenge make my work attractive to me. I am never bored, as each day is different.'

Working with people

But it is not only the job contents that make Romina enthusiastic. ‘It is also the IND itself as an organisation. I am really in the right place here. On the one hand I am very interested in immigration law and from that point of view I can of course enjoy my work here. On the other hand, I have the opportunity to provide custom work. We do not work with  numbers, but with people. This is a starting point that the whole organisation stands behind. I have the freedom to think along with our recognised sponsors and help them where possible.'

An eye for a personal story

Doe she also have nice examples? Romina laughs, as she has enough of them. ‘What I remember most was when I still worked as decision maker. I had contact with a woman whose residence permit was supposed to be revoked. This was due to a change to her personal situation owing to which she no longer met the requirements. She called me because she was worried and did not know what to do. Unfortunately, she was unable to pay a lawyer. Her story enabled me to find out that she did indeed qualify for a different permit. l explained to her which documents she needed for this and in that way I was able to take a positive decision nonetheless. In this situation I was able to support someone personally. These are times for which I am thankful.’ 

Only a bed of roses?

There are off course less pleasant times. ‘Sometimes I have to take negative decisions’, says Romina. ‘Then for example an employer calls because he/she disagrees with my decision. For instance I sometimes experience that someone thinks that we give preference to certain groups or that others get a residence permit more quickly. These times are also part of the job and that Is not bad. Then I calmly try to explain the situation. It is important for me to be clear, even if we disagree with each other.’

Enriching and inclusive

Romina has worked at the IND since 2019. Do the those thankful time see to it that she stays here. She answers simply ‘Yes’. ‘But not only that. It is an interplay of factors. My interest in law does of course play a major role. And, as I said earlier, I really feel at home at the IND. As soon as I started here a feeling of involvement arose quickly. Newcomers receive a warm welcome here and co-workers and managers are accessible. Moreover, I notice the rich diversity within the IND. I can learn here from all different cultures and standards and values of co-workers.’ It is really an inclusive working environment. Everyone here works from their heart. You feel and see that.’