SZW Legal Officer

Job description

As a Legal Officer, you provide support during the handling of notices of objection and the preparation of appeal cases. You provide the Legal Counsel with legal advice on identified issues and you work together to find workable solutions. In addition, you are responsible for the analysis of complaints and you discuss observed patterns with the Legal Counsel in order to bring about improvements in the services provided by the Unit. The position is operational and supportive in nature, with an emphasis on legal and administrative tasks.

Job responsibilities

• You draft decisions, statements of defence and procedural documents in legal proceedings;
• You contact the person who has lodged the complaint and you first try to resolve disputes outside of formal legal proceedings;
• You plan and organise hearings, you monitor deadlines and you provide recommendations on objections, appeals and complaint analysis;
• You support the Legal Counsels in their tasks relating to knowledge transfer, advice and guidance of employees on legal issues;
• You register incoming postal items, correspondence, notices of objection and appeals and, if necessary, you add information of your own volition;
• You act as a point of contact and source of information for internal employees and external agencies on matters that are being dealt with by the SZW Unit;
• Where possible, you handle questions and requests for information yourself;
• You handle incoming telephone calls for the Legal Affairs Department;
• You assess the importance of the request of the caller and, if necessary, you try to find a solution and/or refer it to the relevant officers within the SZW Unit;
• You handle correspondence for the Legal Affairs Department by independently drafting, elaborating, typing and scanning (draft) letters, documents, reports, etc.;
• You make proposals for improvements of the applicable internal legal administrative procedures;
• Based on your knowledge of the organisation, you determine the route along which certain information must be channelled;
• You are responsible for the administration of loaned files and you ensure that documents to be archived are returned in a timely and complete manner;
• You also perform all other occurring tasks that are important for the achievement of the objectives of the Unit.

The organisation

The Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) Unit implements the social security for the Caribbean Netherlands. In addition, SZW 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.

Legal Affairs Section

The Legal Affairs Section is responsible for the legal quality of the activities carried out by the SZW Unit. In doing so, the section fulfils both an advisory role when it comes to (new) policy, legislation and regulations, and also acts as the handling authority for objections, appeals and complaints. At the moment, the Legal Affairs Section consists of two Legal Counsels and one Case Officer. It is expected that expansion will take place in the future due to new tasks.

Competencies

• Organisational sensitivity
• Planning and organisation
• Collaboration skills
• Persuasiveness
• Oral and written communication skills
• Assertiveness
• Results-oriented work ethic
• Ability to handle confidential information
• Accuracy, coordinating and improvisational skills
• Stress-resistant, flexible and dynamic

Job requirements

• You have completed legal training at the level of Higher Professional Education (HBO) or you have demonstrable knowledge and work experience at the level of HBO;
• Experience in handling objection and appeal proceedings within administrative law is preferred;
• Affinity with the Caribbean Netherlands and insight into the context within which SZW-CN operates;
• Good command of Dutch and Papiamento, and preferably also English and Spanish, in the spoken and written word.

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 9 and job salary scale 10 a gross monthly salary between a minimum of $3.293,- and a maximum of $4.899,- 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 Janice Louiza, Legal Assistant via telephone +599 795 5683.

Digital applications:

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