Export Control Advisor

About this position

TNO is an independent research organisation that translates science and technology into practical solutions for the major societal and economic challenges of today and tomorrow. From security and defence to energy, digitalisation, health and mobility, TNO develops technology that makes a difference.

TNO operates in an international environment and collaborates with governments, knowledge institutions and companies around the world. The technology and knowledge developed by TNO may be subject to national and international export control and sanctions regulations. Careful compliance with these regulations is therefore essential to the way TNO can collaborate internationally, share knowledge, and develop and apply technology.

As an Export Control Advisor, you play an important role in this area. You are a knowledgeable and independent sparring partner for the organisation, providing advice on a wide range of export control, classification and sanctions matters. You operate at the intersection of technology, international cooperation and regulatory requirements in an environment where issues are often complex and non-routine.

What will be your role?

As an Export Control Advisor, you will be an experienced, hands-on advisor within the Export Control team, guiding the organisation on a daily basis through export control, classification and sanctions matters. You will be a recognisable and accessible sparring partner for TNO’s Units and will independently take ownership of complex cases.

Together with the other two Export Control Advisors, you will provide both case-specific and structural and process-related support to the TNO organisation in the area of export control. This includes, among other things, military and dual-use classification, trade sanctions matters, and the relevant national and international – particularly European and US – trade compliance laws and regulations, including EU dual-use and military controls, ITAR and EAR. You will also actively contribute to the further development of TNO’s internal compliance programme.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising the business and management on export control and trade sanctions matters at a tactical level, balancing interests, assessing risks and actively contributing to the objectives of the department and the relevant organisational unit;
• Conducting and/or contributing to military and dual-use classifications of goods, technology, software, data and know-how, and determining the applicable import and export requirements, including required export licences and exemptions;
• Preparing and submitting licence applications to the relevant national and international authorities and maintaining the associated contacts;
• Conducting and assessing sanctions and restricted party screening and advising on third-party due diligence in accordance with TNO policy;
• Identifying and analysing opportunities to further professionalise the export control programme, translating these into concrete working methods, procedures and work instructions, and contributing to the further development and implementation of TNO’s Internal Compliance Programme (ICP), including in new and non-routine situations;
• Supporting risk assessments, gap analyses and compliance reviews relating to the effectiveness and compliance of the export control and trade sanctions programme;
• Contributing to awareness initiatives and co-delivering training within TNO on export control and trade sanctions.

Your primary place of work will be TNO’s headquarters at Anna van Buerenplein in The Hague. To effectively perform your role, you will also regularly work at other TNO locations, including Delft, Ypenburg, Rijswijk and Eindhoven.

The Export Control team is part of the Compliance, Ethics & Integrity department within the broader Legal, Compliance & IP (LC&IP) department. LC&IP comprises more than 65 dedicated professionals, organised into four areas: Corporate Legal, Legal Contracting, Intellectual Property, and Compliance, Ethics & Integrity.

LC&IP is characterised by a high level of professionalism and an open, collaborative working environment. We place great value on enjoying our work and making an active contribution to TNO’s success.

Your direct manager will be the Head of Compliance, Ethics & Integrity, who reports to the General Counsel.

What we expect from you

As an Export Control Advisor, you have solid knowledge and extensive experience in export control, trade sanctions, customer screening and general trade compliance matters. You combine substantive expertise with a practical and solution-oriented approach. You operate with confidence and a high degree of independence, while combining effective collaboration with your colleagues and internal clients with a critical and analytical mindset.

You thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment where issues are not always standardised and where situational awareness, organisational sensitivity and solution-oriented thinking are essential to achieving successful outcomes.

To be successful in this role, you recognise yourself in the following profile:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree level of working and thinking, acquired through education and/or relevant professional experience;
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience;
• Specialist knowledge of and demonstrable experience in export control and sanctions matters, including classification requirements and licence applications;
• Demonstrable knowledge of relevant national and international – particularly European and US – export control and sanctions laws and regulations, including strategic goods and services, EU dual-use controls, US ITAR, US EAR, and EU/UN/US sanctions regimes;
• Experience working within and contributing to the further development of compliance policies and programmes, including an Internal Compliance Programme (ICP);
• Relevant training and qualifications in international and national export control, trade sanctions and customs are an advantage;
• You are proactive, hands-on and solution-oriented, and take ownership of your cases from start to finish;
• You are results-oriented, take initiative and have strong organisational awareness, enabling you to balance and connect different interests;
• Within the framework of compliance policies, you are able to independently set priorities, determine the appropriate approach and adjust course where necessary;
• You are able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at different levels, understand diverse interests and build support for your approach;
• You have strong organisational and project management skills;
• Affinity with a Research & Development environment is an advantage;
• You have an excellent command of both Dutch and English, both verbally and in writing.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

Perhaps you would like to grow your career in the direction of commerce or consultancy? Or would you like to become a project manager? Immerse yourself in sustainable innovations? Or carve out a career as a technical expert?

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before the 25th of October, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.

A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO. As you will be working for clients in the domain of defence and security, a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening. Read more about security screening.