Accountmanagers - NL Host Nation
Steven Smit
Steven is a Policy Officer at DPG. He is responsible for PROBAS policy housing and buildings, banking matters (PEPs), sanctioned persons, COPRO and preserving privileges. He holds a bachelor in Public Administration and a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Steven previously worked as a Policy Officer and stakeholder manager Corporate Social Responsibility at the directorate of International Trade Access and Trade policy where he was responsible for the development of policy that encouraged companies to prevent, address or stop risking the violation of human rights, such as forced labor and exploitation and environmental pollution.
Robert Bijkerk
Robert joined DPG as a policy officer in the summer of 2024, after completing his tenure at our embassy in Seoul as Head of Administration and Consular Affairs. Robert is educated as a primary school teacher, and completed a Post-Bachelor degree in Finance and Management Control from Avans Hogeschool. Robert has an extensive and diverse working background within our Ministry. He is particularly familair with consular policy-, financial- and managerial matters. His postings at our embassies in Asia and Africa for over 20 years make Robert an understanding partner for matters that missions and international organisations in The Netherlands may face.
Furthermore, Robert is an account manager for a number of international organisations and embassies.
Thierry van der Horst
Before joining DPG in the summer of 2023, Thierry worked as a policy officer at the Security Policy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Here he worked on Security and Defense Policy, including the Security Strategy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and on leveraging the opportunities of (data) innovation in the field of international peace and security, especially in relation to Early Warning and Early Action for conflict prevention.
Thierry studied International Relations in Groningen and Crisis and Security Management at Leiden University. After graduating he worked for the Centre for Innovation at Leiden University’s Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, working on the theme Data for Humanity. Before joining the Ministry in 2019, Thierry worked as a consultant at Capgemini, advising organisations on cyber security and crisis management issues.
Emma Beelaerts van Blokland
Emma has worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for 8+ years in different roles. She started off working at the Sub-Sahara Africa Department, subsequently moving on to the Netherlands Permanent Delegation to NATO in Brussels after which the Human Rights and Multilateral Department followed. Prior to working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Emma worked at an NGO in the Palestinian Territories. Emma has a BA and an MA in History (Europe and the Middle East).
Anna Ranzijn
Anna currently works as policy officer at the Host Nation Division of Protocol and Host Country Affairs Department. She is responsible for several embassies and consulates, as well as several international organisations. She studied International Law and Journalism. Anna previously worked for the Public Prosecution Service in Amsterdam, more specifically for the International Legal Assistance Centre.
Kathelijne
Kathelijne is an account manager for a number of international organisations and is working on taxes and traffic. She started working at the Ministry of Forreign Affairs in 1997 and worked at the Treaties Division of the Legal Department for the last 15 years. She mainly worked for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Also, she had the opportunity to build her experience in other departmens for example the Peace Building and Good Governance Division. Furthermore she worked at the Dutch Embassy in Zambia. She studied Political Science (International Relations) at the University of Amsterdam and Civil Law at Leiden University.
Margarita
Margarita is currently working at DPG as a Policy Officer, where she is committed to new international organisations in the Netherlands. She studied International Law at the universities of Leiden and Oslo and, prior to her time at DPG, worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a treaty lawyer and accountability policy officer for serious international crimes and (human rights) violations.
Hetty
Hetty is responsible for acquisition and fostering a favorable business climate for international organisations, managing host country policies including interdepartmental coordination and maintaining contacts with the municipality of The Hague, for example on matters concerning the International Zone. She also holds the position of Accountmanager for a number of international organisations.
Before joining DPG, she has dedicated significant efforts to shaping passport policy for Dutch nationals abroad. With this robust background in law she now works at the Protocol and Host Nation Department. Hetty completed her legal studies and went on to serve many years as a Legal Advisor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.