JICN Legal Officer

The organisation

The Correctional Institution Caribbean Netherlands (JICN) is responsible for the custody of criminals on Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius. The institution works closely with sector chain partners in the Caribbean Netherlands and with organisations in the European Netherlands. Security is a key priority for JICN, with a view to ensuring humane detention and of reintegration of detainees into society. JICN is a legal institution in which every detainee from the Caribbean Netherlands can be placed. It operates various regimes involving different groups of people, including men and women, short and long-term prisoners, foreign nationals, juveniles, and young adults. It also has a remand centre. In addition, JICN has facilities for forensic care and extra care. JICN keeps pace with developments in the prison system. This requires proactive input, scope for innovation, and continuous investment in the skills of employees. You will be based in the Correctional Institution Caribbean Netherlands (JICN) on Bonaire. You will be working in a small-scale organisation with short lines and a wide range of responsibilities. Working at JICN calls for flexibility and a principled and professional attitude.

Job description

As a legal officer / policy officer at JICN, you will be working at the cutting edge of penal law and policy in a unique and multi-facetted detention environment in the Caribbean Netherlands. In this combined position, you will play a key role in ensuring that custodial sentences and measures are enforced in a lawful and meticulous manner. At the same time, you will make an active contribution towards policy development and the continued development of the organisation. You will operate constantly between legislation, policy, and practice, with your analyses and recommendations directly contributing towards a secure, professional, and humane custodial environment. You will actively follow developments in the European Netherlands in the field of legislation, regulation, policy, and implementation, translating them to the Caribbean Netherlands context and advising governors on these aspects. You will also ensure that relevant developments are promptly identified and implemented in the institution. Additionally, you will play an important role in our collaboration with chain partners in the Caribbean Netherlands and you will maintain contact with organisations in the European Netherlands. You will function as a meaningful sparring partner for governors and management and will contribute towards effective coordination between policy and implementation.

Duties

Your duties will consist of a combination of legal, policy-related, and coordinating tasks:

Legal

• Dealing with prisoners’ complaints;
• Preparing and drafting defence statements and recommendations;
• Functioning as a point of contact for the Supervisory Committee and participating in periodic consultations with the governors;
• Advising the director on the exercising of powers in the context of the implementation of custodial sentences and measures;
• Supporting management and staff in relation to legal matters and decision-making;
• Applying and interpreting relevant legislation, including penitentiary regulations;
• Identifying and managing legal risks;
• Monitoring deadlines and uniformity in relation to legal processes;
• Drafting and updating the internal regulations.

Policy-related

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating policy at the institution;
• Practical implementation of developments in the European Netherlands in the Caribbean Netherlands;
• Identifying trends and developments in the detention and security field;
• Drafting policy memoranda, recommendations, and management reports;
• Informing and advising the governors on strategic and policy-related issues;
• Initiating and supervising improvement and change processes;
• Contributing towards quality assurance of processes and working methods.

Sector chain and collaboration

• Participating in consultations with sector chain partners in the Caribbean Netherlands;
• Maintaining contacts with ministries and executive organisations in the European Netherlands;
• Promoting knowledge-sharing and coordination between the Caribbean and European Netherlands;
• Functioning as a connecting link between policy, implementation, and external partners.

Job requirements

• You should have successfully completed an HBO or WO degree programme, preferably in Law;
• You should have demonstrable experience of giving legal advice and/or developing policy;
• You should have knowledge of administrative law and an affinity with penal law;
• You should possess strong analytical skills and organisational sensitivity;
• You should have excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• You should be able to work independently and take the initiative;
• You should have an affinity with working in an intercultural and administratively complex environment.

Competencies

• Accuracy
• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Planning and organising
• Integrity

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 10 from a minimum of $3.775,- and a maximum of $4.900,- based on a work week of 36 hours. A pay grade based on knowledge and experience;
• A holiday pay (8.33% of the annual income);
• A13th 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, online screening 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 information about the job vacancy, please contact Peter Hengeveld, JICN Director, telephone +599 7964078, email Peter.Hengeveld@jicnbonaire.nl.

Digital applications

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