Dear colleagues,
Welcome to the third issue of the BZ Operational Management Magazine. This year the ministry will be focusing on the important and sometimes far-reaching decisions that will need to be taken to create a future-proof organisation. The budget cuts we face will present challenges, and they’ll require smart, careful decision-making. I’m very aware that all of this can lead to questions, uncertainty and concern. That’s why we are committed to remaining in dialogue with you: so we can provide clarity, hear your ideas and listen carefully to signals from within the organisation.
Now more than ever, it’s important to show good leadership by really listening to people. The principles that the Senior Management Board approved on 25 October offer guidance for this. They emphasise good employment practice and call for a safe, inclusive and pleasant working environment in which everyone feels seen and heard. The re-evaluated HR policy is an important aspect of this, in part because it sets out transparent recruitment and selection procedures that clearly reflect our values.
Operational management: supporting all staff worldwide
Crises and conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere are making the world around us increasingly volatile. That not only affects our work, but also requires us to pay closer attention to the physical and digital security of our staff, our buildings and our interests. I am deeply appreciative of the round-the-clock dedication with which our staff approach their work. Their commitment ensures continuity in crucial processes such as the payment of invoices and salaries, even in the most challenging of circumstances. I’m very grateful for this.
We’re currently also making preparations for the ministry’s move to a single location – the Hoftoren building – in the future. Until the move, policy and operational management departments will work together to ensure that our current working environment in The Hague is organised as effectively as possible.
We also continue to prioritise sustainability and digitalisation. The ‘Travel Smart’ campaign encourages staff to make sustainable travel choices, such as moving meetings online and opting for direct flights and economy class travel. Missions are also rolling out inspiring initiatives, from bicycle diplomacy in Paris to pop-up locations in Norway and electric driving in Maputo. Together we can make all the difference.
Together, we’re building a professional, future-proof BZ operational management organisation.
We’re constantly on the lookout for smarter and more effective working methods. That means developing more efficient and more automated processes and streamlining procedures, for example by simplifying reporting forms. We’re also making strides in digitalisation. One excellent example of this is the new Mission Dashboard, which provides a clear overview of the most important policy and operational management information for each mission. This innovative tool helps everyone, including me, prepare for visits abroad.
Much of our work is well underway. The BZelf portal, our central search engine for operational management information, is becoming steadily more complete and user friendly and can now be accessed easily via an icon in the taskbar. We’re also improving the way information is shared with the missions, for instance through specially designed tools and communication channels such as this magazine and the monthly Operational Management Newsletter. And we regularly organise conferences to provide support for mission staff and inspiration for their daily work.
In short: we’ve achieved a lot already, and should be proud of that! I realise that we’re entering a period of change that will not always be easy. But I’m also confident that by working together and looking out for each other, we can make our organisation stronger and even more future-proof. I look forward to working on this with you.
In the meantime, enjoy reading this issue of the BZ Operational Management Magazine.
Carola van Rijnsoever
Deputy Secretary-General
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Our missison:
Operational management at BZ is a nearby, global partner that enables BZ to work in a flexible, results-oriented and secure way.
