What is your role at DPG and what are your responsibilities?

As an account holder, I am the primary contact for missions of countries in the Northern Africa and the Middle Eastas well as 12 international organisations. This means I serve as the first point of contact for any matters related to the Netherlands as a host country. Topics can range from security and registration of staff and their families to issues like traffic violations. I also cover several policy areas, including registration of privileged persons, banking, premises and housing.

Can you tell us more about the security team at DPG?

At DPG, our responsibilities include ensuring compliance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the various host country agreements. These agreements are designed to enable missions and international organisations to operate in the Netherlands effectively.

Ensuring security is a key part of this, and that’s where the DPG security team comes in. We serve as a linking pin between our security partners and the diplomatic community. This involves working closely with partners such as the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) and local police forces in and around The Hague. Our role is to make sure information flows efficiently between the right actors. This demands short lines of communication and constant alertness.

What did you do before this role and how does that experience support your current work?

I studied Public Administration and International Relations. After that, I worked for several years in international business, and later joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ International Trade Policy and Economic Governance Department, where I focused on responsible business conduct. In that role, I was in constant contact with the business sector, explaining policies and gathering their input – a dynamic quite similar to what I do now. Today, I act as a bridge between missions, international organisations and the security services. Being able to communicate tactfully is crucial; sometimes listening is more important than speaking. You have to identify the core concern, understand the other party’s perspective, and take appropriate action. This is what diplomacy is about.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

It may sound like a cliché, but no two days are ever the same. Part of my work involves dealing with incidents, while another part involves shaping long-term policies. One minute I could be notifying local authorities about an event organised by an embassy so that appropriate security measures can be taken. The next, I could be working on strengthening our policies, for instance I try to provide clarity on how missions could take care of the upkeep of their properties.

What do you enjoy most about your job and where do you see the biggest challenges today?

The variety of people I come into contact with. I engage with representatives from missions, international organisations and Dutch institutions – mutual understanding is key. I also appreciate the importance of our responsibility to uphold the Vienna Convention. Together with our partners, we ensure the treaty is respected. You often find yourself in legal or diplomatic grey areas and have to explore what the convention means in practical terms. Sometimes there are disagreements about interpretation. That can be challenging, but it is also one of the most fascinating parts of the job.