SZW Operations Manager

The organisation

The RCN Unit for Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) implements the social welfare policy for the Caribbean Netherlands. The RCN Unit SZW is also responsible for the CN Labour Authority (Arbeidsinspectie CN), work permits, employment matters and the ‘Plenchi di Trabou’ job site. The RCN Unit SZW employs a total of approximately 70 staff, of which 6 are stationed on Saba and St. Eustatius. All manner of developments are taking place in the social domain and the Unit’s range of duties is expanding. Depending on political decision-making, the RCN Unit SZW will soon be responsible for implementing, among other things, a childcare scheme, an Unemployment Insurance Act for the Caribbean Netherlands and changes to employment legislation. The SZW Unit's aim is to achieve a decent standard of living for everybody in the Caribbean Netherlands.

Job description

As Manager of Operations, you play a key role in the upcoming development phase of the RCN-unit SZW, in which the implementation of a new application landscape and the further professionalization of operations are central. You are responsible for achieving a coherent, future-proof operational structure, focusing on cost control, quality of service delivery, and the reliability of information provision.

Together with the other managers, you work on the unit’s strategic objectives, with specific attention to feasibility within the context of the Caribbean Netherlands.

The coming years will be focused on renewal and the implementation of the application landscape (IV/ICT) and strengthening the associated operational processes. As Manager of Operations, you play a coordinating role in this: you ensure coherence between policy, execution, information provision, and finances, while monitoring that changes are implemented in a controlled and efficient manner.

You will:

• Oversee the implementation and further development of the application landscape, including embedding it in processes and the organization
• Ensure insight into and control over costs (including investments, operations, and maintenance)
• Integrate control, information management, and datamanagement into a cohesive governance model
• Ensure that new ways of working are fully adopted in practice
• Lead the teams Control, Information Management, and Data Management, as well as the supporting staff

In addition, you develop strategic advice on operations (PIOFACH), with an emphasis on feasibility, practicality, and financial manageability.

Duties

• Take the lead in implementing the new application landscape (including alignment of processes, data, and organization)
• Achieve transparency and control over costs, including multi-year financial insights
• Establish an effective governance and accountability cycle (planning & control)
• Ensure reliable and usable information provision for management and reporting
• Lead improvement and change projects, focusing on implementation capacity and embedding
• Align strategically with the Ministry of SZW, RCN SSO, and chain partners
• Manage contracts and suppliers, with an emphasis on costs, performance, and dependencies

Job requirements

• A degree from a university or a university of applied sciences in business administration, public administration or a similar course of study.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in a managerial position in the field of operations.
• Demonstrable experience with, among other things, (financial) planning and control cycle, data management and/or information management/ICT.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations in relation to both the (central) government and the National Office for the Caribbean Netherlands.
• Demonstrable experience with managing change and improvement processes.
• A proactive, result-oriented and independent work ethic.
• Experience with CRM and/or ERP systems would be a definite asset.
• A good command of Dutch and English, with a command of Papiamentu being a definite asset.

Competencies

• Coordination
• Business acumen
• Implementation capability
• Leadership
• Political sensitivity

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 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);
• A medical examination for admission to the pension fund (Participation is mandatory, including a personal contribution);
• Dutch citizenship.

Good to know  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: Mischa Prinsenberg (Head of Department SZW Caribbean Netherlands) via mail: mischa.prinsenberg@rijksdienstcn.com or Olaf Wilders Interim Operations Manager via mail: owilders@minszw.nl.

Digital applications

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