Saba is an island in the Caribbean and a special municipality (public entity) of The Netherlands. The island is known for its beautiful scenery and diving. Mount Scenery, at 887 meters high, is the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom. The island is five square miles and has approximately 1900 inhabitants. There are four main villages: The Bottom (the capital), Windwardside, St. John’s and Zion’s Hill.

This beautiful island is in search of a Department head Community Development.

Context

For years Saba government is known for being an organization that invests in infrastructure, buildings, roads. Recently we also started developing the Social Domain on the island. The Department of Community Development (Dienst Maatschappelijke Ontwikkeling (DMO), is a young department which is responsible for the Daycare and various social programs such as Social Work, Domestic Violence Prevention, Job Opportunity Program, Youth Development and Education, Truancy Prevention, Culture Development and Sport Activities. Programs are funded by local government and by the Dutch National Government. 

This relatively young department faces a new period. A period whereby our focus is to continue with our core competences; being pro-active and result oriented. The Department of Community Development has a broad network of partners on the island and implements programs with expertise from The Netherlands. The new fase is to build a more robust department. This entails developing a department with clear processes and procedures, whereby short practical policies and managing programs and personnel plays an important role.

The position

We are in search of a manager who will lead the department in this new period. Are you the one who can further develop this young department? Someone who is excellent in program management, likes to structure processes and procedures, but most important someone who understands what Saba needs in the social domain and who is capable of guiding the department (25fte including the daycare colleagues) in the right direction. You will be part of the management team and report directly to the Island Secretary. Your colleague department heads are responsible for the harbor, airport, public works, planning, agriculture, hygiene and vector control, finance, human resources. 

You are an experienced manager with different managerial skills. You enjoy achieving every day goals while you work towards realizing more long-term goals. You are able to work with different personalities and capable in dealing with the Dutch National Government. Partners on the island should perceive you as a strong personality, who is focused on realizing the necessary output for the Saban community. This can be case based or on a more strategic level. You are able to differ in communication styles and in strategies to get the necessary end results. You will be leading a young team of professionals and you enjoy building a strong department. You have experience in managing a group of professionals and everything that comes with it such as; dedication to social domain topics, financial responsibility, mentoring, monitoring results and being accountable for your team. 

Preferably you have a master’s degree and you have knowledge of and experience in the social domain. You also have good communication and advisory skills and you are fluent in English.

Our offer

We offer a 39,5 hour workweek and a locally competitive salary, along with good secondary work benefits.