RVB Cluster Head Caribbean Netherlands

The organisation

The Carib section is one of the six regions within the Regional Realisation Department of the Central Government Real Estate Agency (Rijksvastgoedbedrijf), Property Management Directorate. The section currently consists of thirty-five colleagues distributed across the six islands, and it is set to grow and develop further in the coming years. We take care of the management and maintenance as well as the preparation and implementation of projects and agreements in the region. Our portfolio is highly diverse: from offices and official residences to police and fire stations, military sites and prisons. 

The Carib section consists of two clusters: the Caribbean Netherlands cluster (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) and the CAS cluster (Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten), where the CAS cluster predominantly focuses on the defence portfolio and the CN cluster on the central government portfolio. Your team consists of skilled and independent object managers, project managers, and project assistants. Your cluster is part of the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN). You work together with other heads of service of RCN to realise optimal synergy and service provision for citizens and civil servants in the Caribbean Netherlands.

We work across the islands and are a familiar face to the users of the properties. Bonaire is your home base. You have ample contact with the other teams, for instance to exchange knowledge or to take over work from each other during busy periods. There is an open and pleasant working atmosphere within our team, in which trust and a ‘go-getter mentality’ are key.

Would you like to know more about the Central Government Real Estate Agency in the Caribbean Netherlands? Then read the article The Carib: 'Best of both worlds' | Central Government Real Estate Agency in which René Spanjers, Regional Head of Carib, talks about the Central Government Real Estate Agency in the Caribbean.

Job description

As a committed and energetic Cluster Head, you manage the Caribbean Netherlands team and you look after our interests at a regional level. The shared objective is clear: provide high-quality and safe real estate so that clients can perform their primary processes with peace of mind. You ensure that your team works on every project with a client-focussed mindset and with integrity - from office renovation to the construction of a correctional institution.

You build sustainable relationships based on mutual trust, both with your employees and clients. You optimise processes and services where necessary and you create an open and safe work environment - within several cultural backgrounds -  in which learning and cooperation are key. You achieve the stipulated annual targets by efficiently deploying people and resources. In this regard, you steer on the project realisation for your cluster and you are responsible for the preservation of the current portfolio. With clients, you discuss long-term plans, current activities, and customer satisfaction.. 

Together with your fellow MT members of the Carib section, you translate strategic and tactical objectives of the Central Government Real Estate Agency into operational successes within the Caribbean context. A flexible attitude is crucial, both for you and your team. You regularly travel between the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands,  as required. You also maintain warm contacts with the colleagues in the Netherlands and on the CAS islands, so that you can act quickly. Main challenges for the coming years include the further development of the team. Especially making the activities measurable and plannable is a priority. In addition to the implementation of the Object Management System (OMS), the team will also continue growing and new roles will be added. Beyond that, a number of major new development projects are in the pipeline. Challenges that will demand much from you: you steer on result, but pay at least as much attention to the growth and the job satisfaction of your team.

With your expertise,

• you manage a multidisciplinary team of approximately 15 employees, while providing for optimal deployment and growth within the team;
• you motivate, support, and manage your employees in an inspiring manner; 
• you deliver the stipulated results, products, and services within the imposed frameworks. This involves consultancy contracts as well the management, the preservation and the new development of our real estate;
• you ensure structured work meetings and adequate internal and external communication; 
• you participate in national meetings, including the Projects Production Meeting of the Property Management Directorate. You take the lead in terms of improving the process and implementation of projects within the region;
• you apply staff tools (e.g. performance and assessment interviews) in a timely and correct manner;
• you assess policy plans and ensure operational feasibility.

In addition:

• you look ahead, develop scenarios, and translate strategic ambitions into workable project and resource plans; 
• you provide advice and input for management reports and (multi-) annual plans; 
• you contribute to continuous improvement of processes and the further professionalisation of the Central Government Real Estate Agency within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.  

Job requirements

As the Cluster Head, you have strong communication skills and you switch easily between different conversation partners. You how to  connect with a sense for different interests. In addition, you are capable of inspiring and motivating your employees, and you are flexible, creative, and pragmatic. Through your perseverance you are able to turn this role into a success.

Your skills: 

• Your intellectual and professional ability is at the level of University Education (WO), preferably a completed technical or business management degree and/or at least five years of relevant work experience as a manager, project or programme manager, or client of construction or maintenance projects, preferably in the Caribbean or abroad.
• You have management experience and affinity with construction and technical projects.
• You combine broad technical knowledge (construction engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering) with a sharp eye for the legal aspect of agreements.
• You have good command of the Dutch and English language, and preferably also command of the Papiamento and/or Spanish language.
• You have good digital skills, in particular for administrative safeguarding within your position.

Other requirements: It is essential for this position that you are available to start on Bonaire as of 1 September 2026.

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 initial salary scale 12/ job salary scale 13 from a minimum of $5.066,- and a maximum of 7.159,- 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);
• 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, you can contact Han Broens (Cluster Head CAS, +5999 510 4619), Frank van Wieren (+31 620226245, Regional Head Carib as of 1 July 2026) or René Spanjers (Regional Head Carib, +5999 5102785). Please consider the minus six hour time difference compared to the European Netherlands.

Digital application

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