Spot On: Simon and Danique, District Communication Advisors at UWV

For over 25 years, we have been connecting organizations with the best marketing, communication and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or positions for junior, medior and senior professionals. In Spot On, we would like to introduce them to you. This time in the spot: Danique and Simon, District Communication Advisors (DCAs) at UWV.

The team of District Communication Advisors (DCAs) of UWV underwent a development last year: from one communication advisor (DCA) per district to two DCAs. This meant that the number of DCAs had to grow from 11 to 22 within a year. Danique and Simon have formed the new team of West-Brabant and Zeeland for almost a year now.

But first, let's go back in time. After his HBO study in communication management in Eindhoven, Simon was not done learning. 'That's why I did a master's in strategic communication in Antwerp to also brush up on my theoretical knowledge.' Simon did not have a clear goal in mind at the start of his career. 'But I did want to work for an organization that does good; working for the public cause.'

Getting started in government

His first employer was the Brabant-Zuidoost Safety Region. 'To prevent myself from quickly becoming a stuck civil servant, I took a detour to Coosto, a commercial company, after a few years. There I got to know the other side of the marketing coin and learned a lot. But ultimately I still wanted to work within the government.' And then Babbage knocked. 

Simon: 'Eline van Babbage came at exactly the right time. Just when I was considering a switch back to the public sector. I wasn't actively looking, but I was open to it. You often get messages from recruiters on LinkedIn. But they are almost never relevant offers. However, Eline immediately showed that she had delved into who I am and what I have done. She also referred to previous work. And that it was relevant to the position she wanted to interview me for. That made her stand out.' 

And then Babbage knocked…

Then to Danique. She studied commercial communication management at Schoevers. And started at an ICT company as an administrative employee. 'They didn't do anything with marketing and communication yet. But when they saw what I could do, I soon did marketing and communication five days a week. But I missed colleagues with whom I could spar on professional matters. That's why I made the switch to the Brabantse Delta water board after three years, where I gained a lot of experience with crisis communication and public information.' After that, she ended up at the municipality of Steenbergen, where she still lives; a practical choice. 'I was pregnant, it was corona time, it was around the corner and I also had a nice team there.' And then Babbage knocked.

Danique: 'I had only been with the municipality for a year and a half. And I had already been approached with messages several times. But Eline did not start with all kinds of promises, like others, but sent a personal message and asked if we could call because she had something for me. You never get worse from a conversation. And I was in a privileged position, because I already had a job. We had a good conversation and it was not settled in one day, because I still wanted to think about it. And that was okay. Eline did not put any pressure on me.'

No doubts

'My first conversation with Eline felt like I was sparring with a business partner', Simon remembers. 'That way I didn't feel like I was making the choice on my own. Eline really acted as a sounding board. During the conversations with UWV that followed, she called me regularly for updates. I'm not very adventurous by nature. And of course there are a hundred reasons not to make such a transition. But because the process from Babbage went so carefully and smoothly, I never had to doubt and dared to follow my feelings.' Danique: 'In the end, I was proud to tell my colleagues that I was going to UWV.' 

Colleagues

'During the application process, they already hinted that they were talking to a second candidate. But on the first day of work, I was alone, because the second candidate had canceled. I was then trained by District Communication Advisors from another area. And a month later, in June 2022, Simon came.' 

Together they have been manning the communications desk of the West Brabant and Zeeland district for almost a year now, which partly works for the national corporate communications team. Simon: 'They also want to have advisors in the districts to ensure that what is devised nationally is also implemented in the regions. And on the other hand, we contribute to matters that are playing a role in the region, which receive little attention nationally. In addition, there is an external exponent with whom we can show the public that UWV is more than a benefits agency.'   

Strong team

Danique's annual contract has now been converted into a permanent position. And Simon has that perspective too. Together they form a strong team. Danique: 'Simon is very good at separating the main issues from the side issues and knows many colleagues; he is good at networking.' Simon: 'She makes sure that people like to work with us. And I personally learn a lot from Danique. I can sometimes get worked up about things that are going on. Danique is a bit more relaxed. He says: "We'll hear it when it's necessary."

Complement and complement

Danique suspects that Babbage, when offering the two team members to UWV, specifically looked for team members who complemented and completed each other. Simon laughs: 'Indeed, because I don't think you can build a good team with two Simons. And not with two Daniques either.'  

And Simon and Danique still have good contact with the people at Babbage. Danique: 'From the interest that is still there, you can tell that Babbage is trying to learn from our experiences for the recruitment of new candidates for the UWV. So that it becomes the best possible team. And I can only appreciate that.'  

Are you also looking for a new challenge? We would love to talk to you and find your next step together.