Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation

The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation promotes the Netherlands' position as a leading competitive economy with a world-class agrifood sector.

Economic activity and innovation are essential to the prosperity of the Netherlands. The Ministry enhances the country's long-term competitive strength and facilitates the private sector, which drives the economy. The Ministry takes an expansive view in its approach to economic issues, looking at the environment, the private sector, consumers and beyond national borders.

The directorate for General Economic Policy (AEP) acts as the ministry's chief economist, influences policy in all fields and is strategically active. Working for AEP means working on themes such as labour market policy, social security, pensions, health care, education, financial markets, housing market, innovation policy, and energy and sustainability.

In terms of concrete every-day actions you work on the following:
- Advising the Minister
- Intervening on other policy-making ministries
- Regular meetings with other ministries
- Answering questions from parliament, preparing debates in parliament
- Writing policy proposals
- Doing or supervising research

BoFEB

BoFEB (‘Beroepsopleiding financieel-economisch beleidsmedewerker') is a Dutch-taught one-year post-master programme preparing you for a career as a policy advisor for a Dutch ministry or government institution (DNB, AFM). During the first half year of the programme you follow tailor-made classes taught by professors and people working for the government. You also attend seminars, write assignments about cases from the everyday policy practice and receive training in different fields. During the second half of the programme you get the opportunity to put into practice what you have learned: you will do an internship at a ministry or related government institution.

BoFEB students receive a salary during the entire duration of the programme. This amounts to the same level as the salary received for an academic starting position at a ministry.

If you hold a master's degree in economics or econometrics, or if you hold another degree which provided you with sufficient knowledge of economics, BoFEB is your gateway to a successful career in the Dutch government.

Case description

AEP and BoFEB together present a case about labour market reforms in light of the current economic situation. Given economic forecasts it is not unlikely that the Dutch government will have to take some action. But should that action be taken in the labour market and social security? Should we cut spending and if so, in which field? Which long-term reforms are advisable? How do political considerations fit this picture? In this case you will work both on the economic and the political aspects of this policy question.