The Public Health Department operates within the Social Domain of the Public Entity of St Eustatius (OLE). Currently in a transitional phase, the department is seeking experienced interim leadership to guide organisational, structural and team development.

We are seeking a dynamic manager with experience in public health to serve as Interim Head of Department, supporting day-to-day operations while laying the groundwork for long-term leadership and public health impact. This is a unique opportunity to shape a critical service within a close-knit island community.

Tasks and responsibilities

Departmental Management

•  Lead day-to-day operations, ensuring effective planning, coordination, execution and monitoring of departmental activities.
•  Provide professional guidance and coaching to staff, ensuring team cohesion and development.
• Set priorities while maintaining a client-, goal- and results-oriented focus on public health outcomes.
• Ensure the provision of essential public health functions.
• Oversee financial and personnel administration, including budgeting and annual planning.

Strategic and Transitional Leadership

•  Identify gaps and opportunities in team capacity, expertise and training needs.
•  Prepare the team and departmental structure to enable a smooth transition to a permanent head of department.
•  Promote and implement change management strategies to improve effectiveness.
• Policy and Advisory Functions
•  Offer expert advice on public health policy and strategy in consultation with local, regional and national partners.
•  Participate in interdepartmental and sector consultations, contributing insights from an organisational and policy perspective.
•  Navigate government advisory systems (e.g., VWS, RIVM), leveraging networks to support policy alignment and implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement

•  Liaise with other departments, government bodies and external stakeholders to address public health challenges and align policy matters.
•  Advocate departmental priorities within local government and with external partners.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience working in small island settings, particularly in the Caribbean.
• Familiarity with Dutch national health institutions (e.g., VWS, RIVM).

Terms of employment

This position is for an interim period of one year. We offer a salary in scale 12, with a minimum of $5,500.99 and a maximum of $6,884.96 gross per month, based on a 36-hour working week. The amounts stated are in accordance with the salary table of the Statia Government dated 4 December 2024. Placement within the salary scale will depend on qualifications and experience.

In addition, the employee will receive a holiday allowance of 8.33% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33% of the annual income. The successful candidate must provide a certificate of good conduct (VOG) and undergo a medical evaluation.

An assessment and reference check may form part of the recruitment process. Where candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to internal candidates.

For additional information on the primary and secondary terms of employment, please visit the website of the Executive Council of the Government of Sint Eustatius, for more information.

Job requirements

• University-level education, ideally in public health.
• Demonstrated expertise in people management.
• Strong affinity with and experience in public health, ideally in small communities.
• Proven ability to inspire and motivate multidisciplinary teams through transitions, fostering trust and collaboration.
•  Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse, multicultural teams at all levels.
•  Deep understanding of governmental and administrative structures, with the ability to operate within political and policy-making environments.
•  Skilled in policy advising, project management and strategic negotiations.
• Flexible, with the capability to identify creative solutions suited to a small island setting.
• Committed to building a resilient, community-focused public health system.

Are you interested in applying for the position of Interim Unit Manager Public Health?

Please apply in writing no later than 29 July 2025