Are you an expert in the field of Vital & Health? Are you looking for a position where you not only advise and support managers in (preventing) absenteeism, but also passionately commit to a vital and healthy work environment within an innovative organization? Than this is the job for you!
Your department:
In July 2023, we started with a new HR service model: HR Together. Three components together realize the HR service: HR Business Partnering from the decentralized units and the Center of Expertise (CoE) and HR Operations. In the CoE, harmonization, development, and renewal of WUR HR policy take place. The CoE is also responsible for the vision and strategy on HR topics within its own portfolio. The CoE, in collaboration with HR Teams and HR Operations, ensures a consistent translation of policy into implementation. Experts work here who know and can apply developments outside the organization and in the field. They are responsible for translating the needs within the organization into policy for WUR. Conversely, they also ensure that developments (and legislation) in the outside world are well applied in the (HR) organization. They initiate and coordinate innovation and renewal. You work from the CoE Vital & Health (V&H) dedicated to one organizational unit and work on WUR-wide tasks in the field of Vital & Health (estimated 80% for your organizational unit, 20% WUR-wide). You work closely with the Team Lead V&H, the V&H Policy Advisor, your fellow Vital & Health Advisors, and the decentralized HR Business Partners.
Your role:
As an Vital & Health Advisor, you not only inform and advise managers but also support them in (preventing) absenteeism. Thanks to your expertise and commitment to a vital and healthy work environment, your colleagues at Wageningen University & Research can continue to work healthily. Your tasks and responsibilities as an Vital & Health Advisor are:
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you provide managers with specialist advice (both requested and unsolicited) and information about vitality, (preventing) absenteeism, and disability;
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you ensure the correct and timely execution of the process during the 1st and 2nd year of illness based on the ‘Wet Verbetering Poortwachter’ and advise and support in fulfilling the obligations within this trajectory. This includes interventions, deployment of the company doctor, file building, and 1st/2nd track. You coordinate this with the HR Business Partners of the relevant unit, company doctor, other care providers (such as Corporate Social Work), and UWV;
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you contribute to the development of Vital & Health policy and translate signals and needs from the organization into appropriate interventions.
This role as an Vital & Health Advisor within the CoE V&H is a versatile and relatively new role. Therefore, a connecting, proactive, analytical, energetic, and pragmatic work attitude is important.
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at least a completed relevant HBO education (e.g., HRM) supplemented with ‘Regie op verzuim’ and preferably also with registration training in case management;
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current knowledge of laws and regulations (‘Wet Verbetering Poortwachter’);
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at least 5 years of work experience in a similar position;
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good advisory skills and you are a real connector.
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good command of the Dutch and English languages. In our international work environment, more and more communication is in English. For this position, the language level is C1. If you do not yet have this level, we will naturally help you, and you can go to our language center Wageningen in’to Language. See that there are plenty of challenges for you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So, if you do not yet have the track record required in the vacancy but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more;
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sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed December bonus of 8,3%;
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excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3.399,-. and €5.478,-. for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). We offer you an initially annual contract based on 24 -28 hours a week that, if possible within the (economic) organizational conditions, will be extended to an indefinite contract in the event of mutual enthusiasm. Of course we are happy to talk to you if you have any questions about this.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
For more information about this position, please contact Dennis Kaldenberg, Team Lead Vital & Health, phone: 06 38 16 56 02 or by e-mail: [email protected].
For more information about the procedure, please contact Edvard Jongschaap, Sr Corporate Recruiter. Telephone 0317 – 489 178 or by email: [email protected].
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply up to and including 3rd of August 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 10 July 2026.
Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
