Sint Maarten and the Netherlands are currently working together on a broad number of reforms.
These reforms focus, among other areas, on financial management, taxation, the public sector, the economy, healthcare, education and the rule of law. Advancing these reforms requires substantive expertise and project-based working, as well as a strong understanding of the administrative and political context of Sint Maarten.
Within the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Temporary Work Organization (TWO) supports Sint Maarten in the implementation of these reforms. Within the Sint Maarten team, we are looking for a Country Advisor who will be based in Sint Maarten and will provide substantive guidance on a number of reform initiatives and contribute to their progress.
As a Country Advisor, you will be responsible for a number of substantive themes and reform projects. You will work closely with counterparts within the Government of Sint Maarten, colleagues at TWO and the Dutch ministries. You will monitor progress, identify where implementation or decision-making is stalled, and contribute to finding solutions. In doing so, you will be able to assess and interpret political and administrative developments and determine how they affect your dossiers.
Image: © Nydia Adam
Your key responsibilities include:
- Guiding reform projects and monitoring progress and results.
- Working with Sint Maarten to further develop reforms and translate agreements into concrete actions.
- Advising on the feasibility, implementability and approach of plans and proposals.
- Assessing local and administrative developments and translating these into implications for your dossiers and the broader reform package.
- Contributing to the drafting and review of implementation plans, advice and other substantive documents.
- Identifying and helping to resolve bottlenecks in implementation, decision-making or organizational processes.
- Contributing to Implementation Agendas and progress reports, and ensuring up-to-date insight into progress.
- Maintaining strong working relationships with counterparts and, where necessary, arranging additional expertise or support.
- Representing TWO in relevant internal and external meetings, visits and events and, where appropriate, participating in high-level consultations on behalf of the team.
Requirements
- Academic-level of thinking and working ability, demonstrated either through a relevant academic qualification or through a combination of education and relevant professional experience.
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, including a substantial amount of experience in a political and administrative environment.
- A strong understanding of administrative relationships, institutional dynamics and political developments.
- Experience with project- or program-based work in complex dossiers.
- The ability to quickly identify where a dossier is stalled and translate this into a concrete and workable approach.
- The ability to operate independently, take responsibility for dossiers and work effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Excellent spoken and written command of English and sufficient command of Dutch to effectively follow discussions and written documents.
- Experience in or with the Caribbean public sector and/or knowledge of one or more substantive themes covered by the Country Package is a plus.
Additional Information
- Location: Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.
- Temporary appointment: Initially for a period of one year. Discussions are currently taking place between Sint Maarten and the Netherlands regarding the extension of the cooperation agreements. Depending on the outcome of these discussions, an extension of the temporary appointment may be possible.
- The ‘Arbeidsvoorwaarden Lokaal Personeel’ (ALP) policy applies. The ALP policy can be provided upon request.
- Salary: ALP scale 12 (minimum XCG 9,517.06 – maximum XCG 11,824.69).
Applications will be screened during the week following the closing date of the vacancy. The first round of interviews is expected to take place during the week of 12 October 2026.
More about your future department
The Directorate-General for Kingdom Relations (DGKR) within the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations works to strengthen governance, the economy and the rule of law within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Temporary Work Organisation (TWO) is a program-based organisation within DGKR and is responsible for supporting the implementation of reforms in Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. Within TWO, teams in the Netherlands and the Caribbean work closely with the governments of the countries, Dutch ministries and other relevant stakeholders.
The Sint Maarten core team consists of a Program Manager and three Country Advisors, two of whom are permanently based in Sint Maarten.