Job Description
Senior Legal Advisor – Contract & Procurement Law (Civil Engineering)260813-HKO-007
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands (Hybrid – regular office presence required)
Contract Duration: Initial term with option for extension (up to 2 x 12 months)
Language Requirement: Fluent / C2 level in Dutch (both written and spoken)
We are seeking an experienced Senior Legal Advisor specializing in contract and procurement law within the civil engineering sector. In this role, you will play a key part in modernizing, standardizing, and developing contract models and procurement strategies for large-scale public infrastructure projects.
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables
- Model & Policy Development: Provide concrete input to improve, simplify, and standardize procurement processes, procurement policy, and standard contract documents.
- Contract Architecture: Support the adaptation of existing contract templates and the drafting of new contract models tailored to civil engineering operations.
- Legal Advisory: Deliver expert legal advice and draft specific contract language for model administrators and internal stakeholders.
- Impact Analysis: Assess and advise on the legal and operational impact of proposed policy changes and contract adjustments.
- Primary Deliverable: Successfully update the organization's contractual framework and establish a clear renewal/maintenance schedule optimized for field operations.
Candidate Requirements (Knock-Out Criteria)
To be considered for this position, candidates must explicitly demonstrate the following in their application:
- Education:
University degree (Master's level or equivalent) in Private Law / Civil Law.
- Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience drafting, managing, and structuring contracts within the civil engineering sector
- Language Skills: Native or business-fluent command of the Dutch language (written and oral communication).
Preferred Qualifications & Expertise
- Standard Infrastructure Contracts: Demonstrable depth of experience working with specific civil engineering contract models, including UAV-GC, DBFM, and Design & Build (D&C)
- Public Sector Awareness: Experience navigating public sector procurement policies and large-scale infrastructure environments.
Core Competencies
- Analytical Skills: Ability to dissect complex legal and operational issues from multiple angles, establish key connections, and proactively identify risk factors.
- Written Communication: Aptitude for articulating legal concepts clearly, smoothly, and concisely in accessible Dutch.
- Persuasiveness:
Strong ability to build well-reasoned, argument-backed positions tailored to various stakeholders, remaining firm under pressure when required.
- Organizational Sensitivity: High awareness of institutional dynamics, governance rules, and competing stakeholder interests across different divisions and technical fields.
