NIMD’s Supervisory Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Tijmen Rooseboom as the organization’s new Executive Director (ED) as of 1 November 2024.
Rooseboom brings a wealth of experience in politics and public diplomacy to the table. He was the Special Envoy for the Sahel Region, also leading the West Africa and Great Lakes units at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before talking on that role, Rooseboom was the Ambassador-at-Large for Youth, Education and Work at the Ministry, and developed and worked on the realization of the Youth at Heart strategy.
Rooseboom says he is honoured to take-up the position of Executive Director of NIMD:
“During my work in different countries in Africa and the Middle East, I had the opportunity to witness NIMD’s work first hand. I’m always taken by the passion and professionalism of the staff, both in the Netherlands and at the country offices. NIMD’s mandate working on democracy is really close to my heart and extremely relevant and urgent. I’m specifically excited about working on the youth portfolio. I hope that, with my experience, I can contribute to NIMD’s important work on promoting peaceful, just and inclusive politics worldwide.”
Tijmen started his career in 2007 as political advisor to the then Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation, Bert Koenders. He has worked in Parliament and trained politicians and political parties for the now Max van der Stoel Foundation. He has also been the Deputy Ambassador to Somalia (2016-2019), and worked for the EU and the UN in Kenya, Ivory Coast and South Sudan.
Ed Kronenburg, Chair of the Supervisory Council:
“We are very excited to welcome Tijmen Rooseboom to NIMD. His vast experience in the political field, as well as his vibrant and energetic personality and leadership skills, will be fundamental in steering the organization through the challenging times ahead of us. We are fully confident that his leadership will contribute to the success of the organization and look forward to working with him.”
Rooseboom succeeds Thijs Berman, who reached his retirement age in September of this year.