SZW Employment Affairs Officer

Job description

With your knowledge of the labour legislation and experience in applying it, you provide clarity on labour issues for both employers and employees. Whether it concerns questions about employment agreements, dismissal, or complex situations, people know where to find you for clear advice and independent mediation. Every question and every conversation is an opportunity to contribute to a fair and equitable labour market.

You stand firmly on your own two feet. You work independently and take responsibility, but you also know how to seek cooperation and coordination with colleagues and partners when necessary. In this way you do not only bring knowledge together, but you also create connections.

What makes this job special is that you have an impact on the lives of people. You are an independent and incorruptible sparring partner who brings calm and clarity, sometimes in tense situations. At the same time, you are part of a committed and companionable team, where hard work and having fun together go hand in hand.

Job responsibilities

The main tasks of the department are informing residents, mediating in labour disputes, and supporting the dismissal committee procedure. Your job responsibilities consist of:

• Handling and answering questions from employers and employees regarding labour legislation;
• Organising the intake and the handling of complaints regarding employment affairs;
• Liaising with relevant employers and employees to retrieve and exchange information;
• Mediating in case of labour disputes between an employer and an employee and the relevant reporting;
• Preparing reports for the benefit of the other departments within the SZW Unit;
• Handling applications regarding dismissal authorisations;
• Acting as a "hotline" for all collective labour agreements concluded in the CN;
• Acting as the secretary of the (neutral) dismissal committee;
• Signalling of bottlenecks;
• Supporting requests for legal assistance;
• Organising information sessions.

The organisation

The Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) Unit implements the social security for the Caribbean Netherlands. In addition, the SZW Unit is responsible for the Labour Inspection CN, work permits, employment affairs, and Plenchi di Trabou. A total of approximately 70 employees work at the SZW Unit, of which 6 work on Saba and St. Eustatius. There are many developments in the social domain and the remit of the Unit is expanding. Among others, a childcare scheme, an Unemployment Act CN, and adjustments to the labour legislation are implementation schemes that, depending on political decision-making, will soon be implemented by the SZW Unit. The SZW Unit works towards a dignified existence for everyone in the Caribbean Netherlands.

Competencies

• Judgement
• Integrity
• Solution orientation;
• Collaboration skills
• Planning and organisation
• Self-development
• De-escalating work attitude

Job requirements

• Intellectual and professional ability at the level of Higher Professional Education Plus (HBO+);
• Knowledge of the labour legislation;
• Knowledge of the broad discipline of SZW and, in particular, employment affairs;
• Enthusiastic, focus on cooperation, and ability to act decisively;
• Empathy and a hands-on mentality;
• Good command in the written and spoken word of Dutch, and you speak Papiamentu, Spanish, and English well.

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 8 and job salary scale 9 a gross monthly salary between a minimum of $2.892,- and a maximum of 4.417,- 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);
• A medical examination for admission to the pension fund (Participation is mandatory, including 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 Teamleader tara Jantji-Mauricio at +599 795 5493 or by sending an email to tara.mauricio@rijksdienstcn.com.

Digital applications

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