Unit Manager Department of Culture (Engels)

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for culture, heritage, and community development? Do you want to help strengthen our cultural identity and further professionalize cultural policy on the island? Then we are looking for you!

As Unit Manager Culture, you will lead the Culture Unit within the Directorate of Social Domain. You are responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of cultural policy, with a focus on heritage, arts education, and cultural participation, with the Culture Policy and Culture Agenda as guiding framework. You will manage a team of professionals including cultural coaches, policy officers, and heritage specialists. Together, you will work to promote a vibrant and inclusive cultural environment on St. Eustatius.

Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership and coaching to the Culture Unit team.
• Develop policy proposals and multi-year plans for culture and heritage.
• Act as the main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including cultural organizations, artists, schools, and government partners.
• Draft and manage the annual plan and budget for the unit.
• Ensure monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of projects and activities.
• Initiate and oversee collaborative projects with local and (inter)national partners.

What we offer

• Temporary employment for a trial period of one year, with the prospect of permanent employment.
• Allowances: Holiday allowance of 8.33% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33% of the annual salary.
• 168 holiday hours per year pro rata based on a 36-hour working week.
• Benefits: Inclusion in the pension fund.
• A supportive and professional working environment.
• A relocation scheme for candidates who respond from outside the island.
• Salary: Scale 11, gross monthly between $4,710.15 - $6,094.12 (36-hour workweek).

Job requirements

• A completed bachelor’s or master’s degree, preferably in cultural policy, public administration, or management.
• At least 3 years of experience in a managerial or policy-making role within the cultural sector.
• Knowledge of the Caribbean cultural context is considered a strong asset.
• Strong command of Dutch; proficiency in Papiamentu and English is preferred.

Required Skills and competencies

• Proactive attitude
• Collaborative mindset
• Results-oriented approach
• Strong communication skills

About The Public Entity of Sint Eustatius (OLE)

The Public Entity of Sint Eustatius (OLE) carries out both municipal and provincial tasks on this special municipality of the Netherlands. Together with our 180 colleagues, we work towards good governance, sustainable development and a strong community. Working at OLE means helping shape the future of a unique and resilient island.

Additional requirements

• An assessment, case, and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.
• The selected candidate must provide a certificate of good conduct (VOG) and undergo medical evaluation for inclusion in the pension fund.
• The following order of preference will be applied during the selection process:

1. Employees of the Public Entity Sint Eustatius (internal)
2. Residents from or currently living on Sint Eustatius
3. Residents of the Caribbean part of the Netherlands
4. All other candidates

A preference will be given to candidates who are locally based.