Secretary-General (SG) and Deputy Secretary-General (PSG)

Support departments

The ministry’s support departments fall under the responsibility of the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General. These departments and service organisations provide optimal support to the organisation in areas such as finance, personnel, information provision and communications.

Communications Department (COM)

COM provides internal and external communications concerning the ministry’s policy objectives, sharing information about the ministry’s work in an accessible way. It consists of multidisciplinary teams with various forms of communication expertise.

COM manages the ministry’s communication channels, including its social media accounts and website, and coordinates the media and communications strategies for the ministers.

Executive Support Department (DOB)

DOB coordinates all matters relevant to the ministers and the senior management team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This includes the flow of documents to the ministers, parliamentary contacts, and advisory services for the Council of Ministers for the Kingdom, the cabinet, cabinet subcommittees and ministerial committees. DOB also provides advice on the substance of documents for the ministers and senior management.

In addition, DOB serves as executive secretary of the Senior Management Board, the Board of Deputy Directors-General and the Coordinating Committee on International Affairs (CORIA). And it represents the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at interministerial level in The Hague. Lastly, DOB supports the ministry’s leadership in its administrative and public tasks.

Protocol and Host Country Affairs Department (DPG)

DPG is responsible for central government’s host country policy vis-à-vis the foreign embassies and international organisations in the Netherlands and the registration of their employees. It organises and assists with incoming visits, including state visits, from foreign dignitaries and organises major international events in the Netherlands. DPG also coordinates the foreign commitments of the Royal House, the arrival and departure processes of foreign ambassadors, and the assessment of and recommendations on nominations for the conferral of royal and other decorations on people who live abroad.

Strategic Policy Unit (ESA)

ESA works to strengthen the ministry’s strategic capacity, including at the missions, by helping make foreign policy as future-proof, knowledge-based, outward-facing and coherent as possible. It signals important trends and developments, provides strategic analyses and recommendations to the political leaders and senior management team, and facilitates strategic thinking among policy departments and the missions.

Financial and Economic Affairs Department (FEZ)

As corporate controller, FEZ is responsible for the proper financial management of the ministry, particularly its regularity and efficiency. It supports budget holders in their decision-making at central and subnational level, and monitors efficiency, effectiveness and regularity. FEZ also promotes the integration of management and policy and, in doing so, contributes to the realisation of the ministry’s policy objectives.

Diplomatic Missions Department (HDPN)

HDPN handles the strategic and tactical management of, and the formulation of policy regarding, the mission network, ensuring that the missions have the right people and resources, and the support they need from The Hague, to carry out their tasks. It also handles communication with parliament regarding the mission network and makes decisions on behalf of the Secretary-General relating to personnel matters at the missions.

Security, Crisis Coordination and Integrity Department (VCI)

VCI is responsible for helping protect the ministry and make it resilient. If a problem arises, VCI steps in. Our staff work around the world under unique and sometimes difficult circumstances, and the risks they face are continually changing. VCI supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by ensuring that staff can work ethically and reliably in a physically and socially safe environment, and by protecting processes, information and other interests worldwide, now and in the future.

Translation Department (AVT)

AVT provides translations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries, and for the Prime Minister, the Royal House and a number of High Councils of State. It also provides linguistic and cultural advice and support to members of the government for speeches in English, French and German.

Legal Affairs Department (DJZ)

DJZ offers legal support on questions in nearly all areas of law and when it comes to drafting foreign ministry legislation. It serves as agent of the Netherlands before the European and international courts, and as counsel before administrative and civil courts. DJZ also coordinates the preparation, establishment, approval and ratification of treaties for the Kingdom.

Open Government Department (DOO)

DOO is responsible for the active publication of information and the publication of information upon request from third parties and parliament. It is the first point of contact for independent external investigation committees. DOO advises and supports the ministry in areas such as openness and transparency.

Operational Management Branch (HDBV)

HDBV is composed of the ministry’s operational management departments: the Housing and Real Estate Worldwide Department (DHF), 3W WorldWide Working and the Financial Service Organisation (FSO). It supports the operational management of the ministry and missions through policymaking, coordination, supervision and overall implementation.

• DHF is in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ housing and real estate projects abroad. This includes the management and use of embassy, consulate and official residence properties.
• FSO ensures that the ministry’s financial administration is in order. It offers a full package of accounting, consultancy and procurement services, and functions as controller for departments and missions that do not have their own.
• 3W is a government-wide shared service organisation. It helps employees of the Dutch government arrange everything they need to work, travel and live outside the Netherlands. It also provides assistance for any family members who may be joining them abroad. 3W provides services for ministry staff everywhere, regardless of where they are located.

Human Resources Department (HDPO)

HDPO develops and implements policy, frameworks, systems and instruments relating to the ministry’s own organisation and staff, and to civil servants across central government who work internationally. Its goal is to ensure that the ministry is an inclusive and safe learning organisation that sets the right example – an organisation where staff are proud and happy to work, and where they can use their talents and demonstrate their professional expertise.

Information and Digital Innovation Department (IDI)

IDI advises, guides and supports the ministry with its strategy and policy frameworks concerning information and ICT, digital innovation and the management of outsourced information-and-ICT services.

Policy and Operations Evaluation Department (IOB)

IOB performs independent evaluations of policymaking and implementation. It also provides advice on the planning and execution of evaluations carried out or commissioned by policy departments and missions. IOB is independent in its choice of evaluation methods, its assessment of data and its consideration of alternative interpretations, and is not dependent on evaluations or evaluation proposals by other parties. IOB reports are publicly available, and are submitted to the House of Representatives.

Inspection, Risk Analysis and Advisory Unit (ISB)

ISB takes stock of risks that stand in the ministry’s way of achieving results. It conducts organisational assessments of the ministry’s departments and the Netherlands’ embassies and consulates worldwide. ISB conducts independent and comprehensive assessments of the departments’ and missions’ functioning, policy implementation and operational management, and advises on how to optimise these processes.