Guardianship Council CN Director

The organisation

The Guardianship Council Caribbean Netherlands (Guardianship Council CN) champions the interests and rights of vulnerable minors on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba whose development is at risk or who have come into contact with the police or the justice system. This is achieved by performing a number of statutory duties. These duties centre on conducting council investigations in the civil and criminal justice domain (investigation and legal protection), calculating, collecting and paying child maintenance (child maintenance), and supporting children who come into contact with the police or the justice system (Halt settlements). To this end, the Guardianship Council CN combines expertise in educational science, guardianship, adoption, youth care and juvenile criminal law. Each of these domains has its own policy development, chain cooperation and prioritisation.

In recent years, there has been substantial investment in the development of the organisation, with a view to performing the statutory duties in a professional and efficient manner. This resulted in an organisation comprising 25.5 FTEs. The Guardianship Council CN is one of the implementing organisations within the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN). The RCN acts as the link between the ministries present on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Each Ministry is itself substantively responsible for the introduction and implementation of policies of its own Ministry.

Job description

As the Director Guardianship Council CN, you ensure the efficient, high-quality and consistent performance of the statutory duties of the Guardianship Council CN; you bear ultimate responsibility for this. You are able to act as a valuable discussion partner for the Ministry of Justice and Security (J&V) on the development of the duties and the financial frameworks of the Guardianship Council CN. You are adept at positioning the organisation effectively, both within the Caribbean youth care and juvenile justice chain and among European Dutch stakeholders.

As the Director Guardianship Council CN, you report to the Director Youth and Family at the Ministry of J&V. Pursuant to the Guardianship Council Decree BES, a three-member Council oversees the functioning of the Guardianship Council CN. Its members represent Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba and are also resident there. Although your place of work is Bonaire, in this role you are also expected to travel to St. Eustatius and Saba on business on a regular basis.

Job responsibilities

• The realisation of the strategy and organisational development of the Guardianship Council CN;
• The further development of the business operations of the Guardianship Council CN, including IT, accommodation and financial management;
• The realisation of integral management;
• The management of the staff of the Guardianship Council CN;
• The provision of administrative support to the three Council members and ensuring the continued development of governance;
• The strengthening of the position of the Guardianship Council CN as an expert and reliable partner for both the youth chain and the justice chain within the administrative, judicial and social context of the Caribbean Netherlands;
• The strengthening of the administrative positioning and chain cooperation of the Guardianship Council CN.

Job requirements

• Intellectual and professional ability at the level of University Education (WO);
• Several years of experience in integral management of a professional, policy-sensitive implementing organisation;
• Affinity with and knowledge of civil law and (juvenile) criminal law, the legal protection of minors, the youth care chain and the developments within it, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the organisation and implementation of core duties;
• Knowledge of and experience in change management and integral management (including organisational studies and relevant practical knowledge);
• Taking pleasure in managing staff with different cultural backgrounds, with a focus on stimulating mutual cooperation and developing their skills and competences;
• Knowledge of effective business operations, financial management, planning and control, (digital) information provision, and risk and quality management;
• Knowledge of and insight into the administrative and civil service relationships within the RCN, the Ministry of J&V, and the context of the Caribbean Netherlands;
• Knowledge of developments within the youth, care and justice chains and the ability to apply this knowledge to the organisation and implementation of core duties;
• Understanding of intercultural differences and the ability to deal with them effectively;
• Strong networking skills and good communication and interpersonal skills, focused on maintaining administrative and strategic collaborative relationships.

Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking skills
• Connective leadership
• Situational awareness
• Organisational and governance sensitivity
• Reflection and development
• Networking

What do we offer?

• An appointment in conformity with the Rechstpositiebesluit Ambtenaren BES (BES Legal Status of Civil Servants Decree);
• A salary in line with the market, in job salary scale 14 from a minimum of $6.613,- and a maximum of $8.037,- based on a work week of 36 hours. A pay grade based on knowledge and experience;
• A holiday pay (8.33% of the gross monthly income);
• A13^th month (8.33% of the annual income);
• Vitality allowance;
• A pension plan administered by Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 holiday hours based on a work week of 36 hours;
• A temporary appointment of one year with the prospect of a permanent appointment in case of good performance and a positive appraisal;
• A relocation scheme for applicants not living in the island.

Procedure

An assessment, case and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.
This vacancy is being advertised internally and externally, and the following order will be considered in the selection process:

• Official RCN staff on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (internal);

• Residents of the Caribbean part of the Netherlands (external);
• Other candidates (external);

Terms of appointment

• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG);
• Medical examination regarding mandatory registration for the pension fund (with a personal contribution);
• Dutch citizenship.

Important information for interested applicants living outside the Caribbean Netherlands

• The salary is paid in American dollars, the official currency in the Caribbean Netherlands;
• The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. Income above the tax-free allowance $21,956 in 2026 is taxed at 29.4% in the first bracket (up to an income of $53,198). A tax rate of 38.4% applies to the second bracket;
• You are or will become a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

More information?

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Atty Bruins, Management Team Member for Family and Deputy Director of Youth and Family at the Directorate-General for Sanctions and Protection of the Ministry of Justice and Security (phone number +31 6 4813 1296, email a.bruins@minjenv.nl)

Digital applications

You may send your curriculum vitae with cover letter to vacature@rijksdienstCN.com.