The Cabinet of the Special Envoy BES - Junior Project Manager

HBO | Bonaire | 36 hours | Vacancy number P&O2025_08_006| Closing date: 3 September 2025

Job description

As a junior project manager within the Cabinet of the Special Envoy you will contribute to the implementation of substantial and strategic projects that contribute to the international positioning and sustainable development of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.

You work in an international and dynamic environment where collaboration with European and multilateral partners, policy organisations and local stakeholders is paramount. As a member of a small and dedicated team you will play a key role in connecting  policy and practice. You support projects in terms of content and from an organisational and administrative perspective and work closely with the project manager and other colleagues within the Cabinet.

You combine a proactive, independent work ethic with the ability to communicate clearly, plan and organise. You contribute to achieving the Cabinet's objectives, for example in the field of youth participation, international fundraising, knowledge sharing and sustainable development.

Description of the organisation

The Cabinet of the Special Envoy represents and promotes the interests of the Caribbean Netherlands internationally. This is done through strategic partnerships, policy dialogue, knowledge exchanges and the acquisition of funds from organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations. The Cabinet also actively promotes trade and economic development on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba within the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. This is achieved by, among other things, initiating and supporting trade missions and connecting local entrepreneurs with international economic networks.

The Cabinet falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), and is accountable to the Director-General of the Directorate for Kingdom Relations.

The team of the Cabinet of the Special Envoy  is committed to strengthening relations between Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba and international partners, including the EU, UN and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The focus is on themes such as:

• Climate adaptation
• Sustainable energy
• Connectivity
• Food security
• Economic diversification

The team consists of the Special Envoy, a senior adviser, a secretary, a senior project manager and a junior project manager. The office is located on Bonaire.

Duties

• Drafting project and implementation plans, in consultation with the project manager, including result definitions, scheduling, budget, quality criteria, and acceptance conditions.
• Coordinating and adjusting ongoing projects in the event of deviations, and informing stakeholders and clients in a timely manner.
• Establishing  and managing an online and offline (youth) platform to promote the EU, UN and economic opportunities in the region.
• Arranging reports and communication on project statuses, including structured project administration.
• Acting as the first point of contact for practical and administrative questions regarding projects.
• Contributing to and implementing practical matters surrounding project activities.
• Developing and providing access to information about available (international) funds for local parties, including integration on the Cabinet website.
• Supporting the daily substantive work of the Cabinet of the Special Envoy, including the implementation of ongoing research.

Job requirements

• You have, at least, a higher vocational education (HBO) level of professional and intellectual ability and have preferably studied project management and business administration.
• You have demonstrable experience with planning, organising and executing projects. You preferably have experience with international organisations such as the EU or the UN.
• You have an excellent verbal and written command of Dutch and English.
• You have an affinity for the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region and understand the Spanish language sufficiently to follow context.
• You have a flexible attitude to work, meaning that you are open to working in the evening or  the weekend occasionally, to travelling internationally on your own and participating in conferences.
• You are, or will become, a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

Competencies

• Good communication skills.
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• The ability to take the initiative.
• Flexibility.
• The ability to work independently and with others.
• A focus on results.
• The ability to network.

What do we offer?

• A temporary appointment in conformity with the Rechtspositiebesluit ambtenaren BES (BES Civil Servants Legal Position Decree);
• A competitive salary, starting in salary scale 9 with the opportunity to progress to salary scale 10, up to a maximum of 4.644,- if you have a completed Bachelor's degree.  Your salary will be paid per month for a 36-hour work week;
• Salary grading based on knowledge, experience and competency level.
• Holiday allowance (8.33% of the annual income);
• A thirteenth month (8.33% of the annual income);
• A vitality Allowance;
• A pension provision placed with Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 holiday hours in case of a full-time employment (36 hour) per year;
• A temporary appointment of one year with the prospect of a permanent appointment for good performance and a positive assessment result
• A relocation package for candidates who react from outside Bonaire.

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 Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (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 to it;
• 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 ($21,373 in 2025) will be taxed at a rate of 30.4% in payroll tax in the first bracket; 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 information regarding the vacancy, please contact Edison Rijna, BES Special Envoy, telephone number: +599-7955332.

Digital applications

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