12 May 2025

Job description

The Institute of Public Administration at Leiden University is seeking enthusiastic and committed student mentors for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) programme. As a student mentor, you will support incoming (pre-)master’s students in adjusting to university life, the study programme, and the city of The Hague. You will also play a key role in building a sense of community within and across specialisations. 

Role description

As a student mentor, you will be the first point of contact for a group of new MPA students. You will help them settle into their studies and social environment by organising regular meetups, social gatherings, and specialisation-related events. You will also provide guidance on academic systems, university resources, student wellbeing, and career preparation. 

In addition, you will represent your specialisation at recruitment and information events, and collaborate closely with the community manager and specialisation coordinator. You will also liaise with fellow student mentors, student representatives (MOLC), and the study association B.I.L. 

Candidate profile

You are:

• Actively enrolled in the Master of Public Administration from September 2025 onwards; 

• Eager to connect and engage fellow students with the programme, faculty, and university; 

• An excellent communicator with a good command of English; 

• Organised, digitally skilled, and able to work independently; 

• Empathetic, approachable, and proactive; 

• Supportive of diversity and inclusivity; 

• Available for approximately 5 hours per week from 1 September 2025 to 31 January 2026; 

• Willing to participate in a training session on 15 or 25 August provided by the faculty; 

• Legally permitted to work in the Netherlands (you must have Dutch healthcare insurance). 

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Foster a welcoming and supportive student community; 

• Act as the main contact for your mentor group; 

• Plan regular group meetings and check-ins; 

• Refer students to relevant university support services; 

• Organise both social and academic activities based on student needs; 

• Coordinate career-related events in collaboration with internal and external partners. 

What we offer

• A training programme focused on developing leadership and mentoring skills; 

• Valuable experience in mentoring and student engagement; 

• A supportive mentor network across MPA specialisations; 

• Guidance from the Institute’s community manager; 

• A gross hourly wage of €18.07, plus 8% holiday allowance over your total earnings, and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% based on the total salary earned within the calendar year. 

About the Institute of Public Administration

Part of Leiden University and located in The Hague, the Institute of Public Administration is one of the largest and most established academic centres for public administration in the Netherlands. The Institute combines a strong international academic reputation with close ties to the diverse network of governance institutions based in The Hague. 

Diversity and Inclusion

Leiden University values diversity and inclusion in its community and actively encourages applications from candidates belonging to underrepresented groups. 

How to apply

Are you excited about this role and do you recognise yourself in the profile? We would love to hear from you! Please submit your application including:

• Your CV (preferably with a link to your LinkedIn profile), and
• A short video (max. 2 minutes) in which you:
  • Introduce yourself as you would to your future mentees, and
  • Pitch one or two ideas for mentorship activities.

Send your application, including your name, student number, and specialisation, by 10 June 2025 to: c.m.l.rosalie@fgga.leidenuniv.nl. For questions about the vacancy, feel free to contact Charlotte Rosalie, community manager, via the same email address.