'I'm right at the heart of the organisation'

The Governance Affairs team supports senior IND leadership, advising on the direction the organisation is taking and decision-making at the highest level. As an Employee Representation Adviser, Annelies works on internal affairs and their implications for the organisation and its staff.

An unexpected opportunity 

'As it happens, the IND reached out to me', Annelies answers cheerfully when asked why she chose to work here. After several years at another government agency, she felt ready for a new challenge. She was approached about a role at the IND through her network. 'I had never realised how relevant the work is until I started working here myself. I discovered that I can also contribute to the IND's ambitions through my role, while supporting the wellbeing of the organisation as a whole and its staff. I'm proud to work here and feel that I've found the right place for me.'

Not a 9-to-5 job

Annelies has now been working at the IND for three years, including more than a year in the Governance Affairs team. She advises the organisation’s leadership on all matters relevant to employee representation. She is involved in proposed decisions, organisational changes and issues that directly affect staff.

'It’s my job to make sure internal processes are handled carefully, that decisions are properly prepared, and that the works council is involved at the right time,' Annelies explains. 'Eight-hour working days are actually somewhat of a rarity. I can easily work a ten-hour day, but that’s mainly because I enjoy the work so much. I feel comfortable in a high-paced organisation, plus I’m right at the centre of the organisation: operations, policy, organisational development and societal expectations all come together here.'

Finding common ground

At the core of her work is the relationship between the organisation’s leadership and the employee representation bodies. Annelies acknowledges that it can be a delicate balancing act at times, 'because their perspectives don't always align. Still, it's a crucial part of a healthy organisation.'

Annelies knows what it feels like to sit on both sides of the table. In previous roles, she had been part of employee representation bodies herself, and she now draws on that experience in her advisory work. 'I understand the background of certain questions or concerns, such as when significant changes are introduced in the organisation’s work. At the same time, I also see the responsibility of leadership to deliver results. My role is to help foster a constructive dialogue and ensure that everyone stays at the table, even when it gets tough.'

'And when it really comes down to it,' she adds, 'there is often more common ground than you might think. In the end, everyone wants the organisation to function well and for staff to be able to do their jobs properly.'

Admiration for colleagues

While she loves the work itself, Annelies is just as enthusiastic about her team. 'There is a tremendous sense of team spirit in the Governance Affairs department', she adds with a smile. 'I've seen few other places where people are so genuinely invested in each other's work and so eager to help each other. It's an attitude I really admire. The same applies to collaboration with colleagues across the wider organisation, by the way.'

Annelies also has great respect for the Director-General of the IND, with whom she works closely. 'I've been impressed by her visits to the House of Representatives to explain our work honestly and openly. Moments like that remind me how important the public context is in which the IND operates.'

In the public spotlight

And that's not the only reason why Annelies feels so at home at the IND. 'I've always been interested in politics', she laughs. 'It just fascinates me, and the IND is right at the intersection of politics and society. I see every day that what we do here has real impact.'

Working at the IND requires precision and professionalism. 'You're working on issues that are in the public spotlight. I've seen up close how much responsibility rests on the shoulders of both leadership and staff. I have a great deal of respect for that, and I’m extremely proud to be able to contribute to it.