OCW Education Policy Officer Saba

HBO/WO | Saba | 36 hours | Vacancy number P&O2025_06_012 | Closing date: 9 July 2025

Job description

As a Policy Officer at OCW in the Caribbean Netherlands, you are active in various education and culture portfolios. You enjoy collaborating on education and culture-related issues, assisting in creating sustainable policies, the implementation of relevant legislation and other arrangements in the area of education and culture. In this respect, you are able to include current social and educational conditions. You work closely with enthusiastic colleagues, in both the Caribbean Netherlands and the European Netherlands as well as with other stakeholders within the field of education and culture.

Job responsibilities

• Together with the other policy officers, you are responsible for the preparation, development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, legislation and regulations;
• You contribute to policy recommendations and plans based on analysis;
• You conduct and/or review research and write reports;
• You pull together with the Senior Policy Officers on complex projects;
• You contribute to the improvement of processes by identifying needs and bottlenecks of stakeholders and proactively addressing them;
• You make proposals for improvements for adjustments and monitor compliance with the agreements made;
• You maintain good relations with stakeholders on Saba and carry out work together with the Policy Officers on Bonaire and St. Eustatius.

Competencies

Analytical skills;
Persuasiveness;
Organisational sensitivity;
Cultural sensitivity;
Flexibility;
Networking;
Planning and organisation;
Communication skills;
Resistance to stress;
Creativity.

Organisation

OCW CN is the outpost of the Ministry of OCW in the Caribbean Netherlands. It identifies, informs, and advises the policy directorates of the Ministry of OCW in the Netherlands on the local applicability of policy intentions. It also informs and supports all stakeholders in the implementation of the Education Agenda Caribbean Netherlands and the cultural agendas of the islands. OCW CN is responsible for the support and implementation of the policy intentions and legislation and regulations of OCW in the Caribbean Netherlands and the feedback on the progress.

Job requirements

• Your intellectual and professional ability is at the level of Higher Professional Education (HBO) / University Education (WO);

• You have knowledge of and (policy-oriented) experience in education;

• You know the legislation and regulations in the area of education;

• You have at least three years of working experience within the field of education, youth and culture;

• You have experience with complex policy issues and processes;

• Experience in the Caribbean Netherlands is preferred;

• You have good oral and written communication skills in Dutch and English.

What we offer

• Appointment in accordance with the Rechtspositiebesluit ambtenaren BES (BES Legal Status Decree for Civil Servants BES);
• A competitive salary at initial salary scale 10 and job salary scale 11 between a minimum of USD 3.578,- and USD 5.319,- per month based on a working week of 36 hours. A pay grade based on knowledge and experience;
• An equalization contribution and a Saba allowance (12.1% of your basic salary)
• Holiday bonus (8.33% of the annual income);
• End of year bonus (8.33% of the annual income);
• Vitality allowance;
• A pension scheme with Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 hours of leave based on a working week of 36 hours;
• A temporary appointment of one year with the prospect of a permanent appointment;
• A relocation package for candidates responding from outside the island.

Procedure

An assessment, case and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.
The following order is considered in the selection:

• Official RCN staff on the BES islands (internal)
• Residents of the Caribbean part of the Netherlands (external)
• Other candidates (external)

Appointment requirements

• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG);
• A medical examination to join the pension scheme (participation is mandatory, including a personal contribution);
• Dutch citizenship.

Good to know for potential candidates outside the Caribbean Netherlands

• The salary is in American dollars; the official currency of the Caribbean Netherlands;
• The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. Income above the tax-free allowance of $21.373,- in 2025 is taxed in the first bracket, up to an income of $51,250, at 30.4%; In the second bracket, a tax rate of 35.4% applies.
• You are or will become an inhabitant of the Caribbean Netherlands.

More Information?

For more information about the vacancy you can contact Maritsa Silberie, Head of department, via +599 795 5043.

Digital applications

You can send your Curriculum Vitae and motivation to: vacature@rijksdienstcn.com.