13 May 2025

Are you motivated to actively support new students in the BSc Security Studies programme? For the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, we are looking for committed and enthusiastic student mentors who would like to help first-year students get off to a successful start.

At the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, we believe it is important that students feel welcome, find their way within the programme, and feel connected to the student community. That is why we have successfully organised a mentoring programme for first-year students of the bachelor’s in Security Studies (BaSS) for several years now. We will be continuing this programme in the upcoming academic year.

As you may have experienced yourself, first-year students often benefit from a little extra support during their first months at university. Over the past years, it has become clear that our current students are exceptionally capable of guiding new students through this important transitional phase.

As a student mentor, you will be responsible for a group of approximately 30 first-year students. You will organise and lead bi-weekly sessions, which aim to support students in adjusting to university life, developing study skills, and navigating the challenges of their first year. In addition, you will answer practical questions on topics such as studying, exams, digital systems, the culture and community of the programme, key study choices, and student life more broadly.

This role offers you a valuable opportunity to contribute to the BaSS community, meet new people, and strengthen your CV with relevant experience in mentoring, communication, and organisation.

Profile

• (Upcoming) second- or higher-year students Security Studies with good study results and a strong affinity with the programme;
• Is enthusiastic, with a positive attitude, and strong motivational skills; 
• With good communicative skills in English; 
• Has strong organisational skills, both online and offline; 
• Has empathy, helping others, inclusivity, and diversity as core values 
• Preferably has experience with guiding groups (e.g., as a substitute teacher, ‘bijlesdocent’ or exam trainer); 
• Is available for 2-3 hours per week between 16 August 2025 and 1 February 2026; 
  The mandatory training programme will be held on on Friday 15 August and Monday 25 August in The Hague.​​​​​​​
• Has a valid work permit in The Netherlands;
• Has a Dutch Health insurance.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Organising and planning at least three smaller mentor group meetings during during the first semester (block 1 and 2);
• Preparing and chairing these meetings;
• Answering practical questions from your mentees;
• Supporting the students from your mentor group with connecting to each other, the study programme and faculty;
• Being the point of contact for your mentees, and being able to refer them to the appropriate support, department or procedure. 

We offer you:

• A training in which you learn competences in leadership;
• The opportunity to gain experience working in groups; 
• Access to the network of student mentors that support each other and that provides a great learning environment; 
• You will be registered as a student-assistant and receive compensation (2-3 hours per week) in accordance with the collective labour agreement of Leiden University, including holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus.

Contact

Do you want more information about the content of the job? Do not hesitate to get in touch with Lisette Planellas, Study Coordinator BASS, via securitystudies.info@fgga.leidenuniv.nl

Do you want to apply? Prepare your resume and a motivation letter in which you introduce yourself; tell more about your experience(s); explain which ideas you have for the mentor meetings; and your motivation for applying for this position. You can send this to the Study Coordinator via securitystudies.info@fgga.leidenuniv.nl.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 1 June.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 10 June, preferably on campus (online is possible).