RIVM Operations Manager Population Screening

WO | Bonaire | 36 hours| Vacancy number: P&O2025_03_016| Closing date: May 6, 2025

Job description

In this multifaceted and high-impact position, you manage the implementation of population screenings in the Caribbean Netherlands. You ensure that the current population screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colon cancer continue running successfully. From 2026, this will also (partially) include pregnancy screening for chromosomal and structural abnormalities. After that, other prevention programmes may follow. The RIVM works under the authority of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and on the basis of quality frameworks. It is your job to provide motivational leadership to the implementing organisation of the screening in the Caribbean Netherlands, which is based on Bonaire and works closely with organisations on St. Eustatius and Saba.

You ensure the programmes are properly implemented and changes are implemented, and you play a central role in this. You contribute to the development of the current pilots into structural programmes, in consultation with the Programme Manager of the RIVM in the Netherlands.

In addition, you maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders on the various islands and parties in the Netherlands. You work together with various chain partners like laboratories, physicians, and hospitals and you deal with many disciplines like ICT, policy, quality, and communication. In addition, you ensure that the business operations of the organisation run smoothly. In short, you work in a dynamic and challenging environment with a major social impact!

Job responsibilities

• You provide for proper, uniform implementation according to procedures and frameworks.

• You solve problems in the implementation and ensure continuity.
• You maintain good relationships with local stakeholders, your client, and partners.
• You manage the team of employees at the office on Bonaire (about 6-7 people).
• You are Deputy Head at the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland and in that capacity you are also responsible for the smooth running of the business operations.
• You are both client and contractor and draw up formal documents, e.g. annual plans, offers, advisory opinions, agreements. You work hands-on and sometimes also take on the role of project leader.

About us and our remit

The RIVM Centre for Population Screening is commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to manage the three population screenings for cancer. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport also offers these population screenings in the Caribbean Netherlands. The RIVM was commissioned to organise and implement this. The implementation of the (pilot) programmes is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025, at which point they will transition to regular implementation. In 2026, pregnancy screening for chromosomal and structural abnormalities will also follow (NIPT-SEO). The implementation of screening programmes in the Caribbean Netherlands is coordinated from our office on Bonaire and you work closely with your colleagues at the RIVM in the Netherlands. More information about our current screening programmes and our team can be found on our website www.screening-cn.com .

Competencies

• Maintaining an overview, with a broad interest and a multidisciplinary approach

• Networking and cooperation
• Creative and solution-oriented
• Resistance to stress and perseverance
• Management of an organisation/group and the development of employees
• Administrative sensitivity and situational awareness

Job requirements

• Your intellectual and professional level is academic.
• You are familiar with the local field. It is preferred if you have experience with the application of frameworks in a Caribbean context.
• You have at least three years of management experience, including responsibility for staff.
• You are proficient in Dutch (at a formal business level) and English, and you preferably also speak Papiamento. If this is not the case, then you must be willing to learn this language.
• You have experience in dealing with client-contractor relationships and drawing up documents such like annual plans, budgets, and memoranda.
• You are willing to travel to the various BES-CAS islands and the Netherlands, if so required.

What do we offer?

• An appointment in accordance with the Rechtspositiebesluit Ambtenaren BES (BES Civil Servants (Legal Status) Decree);
• A competitive salary in salary scale 13, up to a maximum of $ 6.785 per month, in case of a 36-hour working week. Assignment to a pay scale based on knowledge and experience;
• Holiday allowance (8.33% of remuneration);
• End of year bonus (8.33% of the salary);
• A vitality allowance;
• A pension provision placed with Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 holiday hours in case of a 36-hour working week;
• A temporary appointment of one year with the prospect of a permanent appointment for good performance and a positive assessment result;
• A relocation scheme for candidates who respond from outside the island.

Procedure

An assessment, case and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.
The following order is taken into account 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 for admission to the pension fund ( participation is mandatory, including a personal contribution);
• Dutch citizenship.

Good to know for those interested outside the Caribbean Netherlands

• The salary is in US dollars which is the official currency in the Caribbean Netherlands;

• The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. Income above the tax-free allowance of $21,373 in 2025 will be taxed at a rate of 30.4% in the first bracket, up to an income of $51,250. In the second bracket, a tax rate of 35.4% applies.
• You are or will become a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

More information?

For more information about this vacancy:

• Eva van Tol, project/program manager,  telephone +599 795 4824, email Eva.van.Tol@rivm.nl

• Sandra van Dijk, afdelingshoofd, telefoon +31646293844, Email sandra.van.dijk@rivm.nl

Digital applications

You can send your Curriculum Vitae along with a letter of application to vacature@rijksdienstCN.com