Chair and two members Supervisory Board

Would you like to have an impact as a supervisory director at a government-owned company that connects the Caribbean Netherlands digitally?

Saba Statia Cable System B.V. was established in 2013 and is a wholly owned policy subsidiary of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). The company is responsible for the construction, the management, and the operation of the submarine fibre-optic cable that connects Saba and St. Eustatius to regional and international digital infrastructure. Thus, Saba Statia Cable System B.V. (SSCS) plays a vital role in safeguarding reliable, secure, and future-proof digital connectivity for the Caribbean Netherlands.

SSCS operates as an open cable system on which international telecommunications concession holders can purchase capacity on equal terms. The organisation itself does not provide services to end users, but forms a crucial link in the digital connectivity of the islands and also provides connectivity to various government departments and other public organisations in the Caribbean Netherlands. SSCS operates in a commercial telecommunications environment and works in line with market conditions and on a break-even basis.

Since its incorporation, SSCS has developed into a stable, government-owned company operating in the commercial sector. SSCS is not an implementing agency of the government, but an independent company that must operate on a break-even basis within the telecommunications framework for the BES. At the same time, the organisation is at a stage where further strengthening and consolidation are required. The strategic value of the infrastructure and the increasing complexity of the task call for a governance structure that is in line with this next phase of development.

In light of this, a Supervisory Board is set up that contributes to a clear division of roles, a robust strategic dialogue, and a transparent system of supervision and accountability. The Supervisory Board supervises the functioning of the Executive Board, supports it where appropriate with feedback and advice, and acts as a sounding board and critical discussion partner on strategic and governance issues.

SSCS is a relatively compact organisation with limited permanent staff, operating within a framework of outsourced services and close collaboration with external parties and government agencies. The Executive Board is responsible for the day-to-day management and, in doing so, operates within an administrative and social landscape that is more complex than the scale of the organisation may suggest. The Supervisory Board contributes to the ability of the Executive Board to fulfil this role with sufficient autonomy, focus, and continuity by participating in broad-level discussions on direction, risks, and collaborative relationships, and by ensuring a professional and stable governance framework.

The establishment of a Supervisory Board marks an important step in the further professionalisation and future-proofing of SSCS.

Future developments

SSCS is on the verge of further strengthening the digital infrastructure in the Caribbean Netherlands, including the previously agreed on reinforcement and expansion of the digital infrastructure on Bonaire. In this context, the Supervisory Board ensures that investment decisions are made diligently, that appropriate forms of collaboration are established, and that SSCS maintains a sustainable position within the regional telecommunications environment. 

The Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board consists of three members and supervises the Executive Board of SSCS. The Supervisory Board advises on strategic decisions and supervises continuity and effective implementation. The Supervisory Board operates as a compact and complementary team, combining different perspectives and providing room for reflection, debate, and shared responsibility.

Given the scale of the organisation and the nature of the task, we are looking for supervisory directors who are committed to their roles, who are capable of contributing to strategic thinking, and who possess administrative awareness within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

For all three positions, knowledge of or an affinity with the telecommunications sector is a definite advantage. An understanding of the island economy — including its small scale, capital-intensive network investments, and longer payback periods — is essential. Local knowledge and a relevant network in the Caribbean Netherlands provide added value to all positions. Experience with cooperation between government-owned companies within the Kingdom is also important.

1. Profile chair of the Supervisory Board

An administrative and strategic profile: The chair of the Supervisory Board is an experienced supervisor with authority and overview, who has the ability to strengthen the functioning of the Supervisory Board as a whole. The chair is a natural point of contact for the Executive Board and shareholders. The chair has extensive experience in supervision and governance and possesses a keen understanding of the separation of roles, the division of responsibilities, and strategic supervision. They know how to set the agenda for the Supervisory Board, encourage open and constructive dialogue, and ensure that supervision and advice reinforce one another. The chair combines strategic acumen with connecting ability and has an eye for the administrative and cultural context of the Caribbean Netherlands.

2. Profile member of the Supervisory Board with a financial, economic, and risk profile

This member contributes solid financial and business management expertise, well-suited to a capital-intensive infrastructure organisation. The specific focus is on insight into investment cycles within network infrastructure, financing issues in the context of limited scale, and operating within an island economy characterised by long payback periods. The member is able to ask critical questions about financial decisions and efficiency, bearing in mind the continuity and sustainability of the company.

3. Profile member of the Supervisory Board with a substantive, social, and digital profile

This member contributes substantive knowledge of digital infrastructure, telecommunications or related domains. The member has insight into the dynamics of digital networks and international infrastructure and understands how strategic choices affect accessibility, reliability, and future-proofing. The member can explain how investment and partnership choices contribute to the objectives of available, reliable, resilient, and affordable internet in the Caribbean Netherlands. In addition, they have affinity with the Caribbean Netherlands and they are sensitive to local contexts and relationships.

Appointment, remuneration, and procedure

The members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the shareholder, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The appointment is for a term of four years, with the possibility of reappointment in accordance with the applicable guidelines. The time commitment amounts to an average of around four–six meetings per year, including preparation, committee work, and occasional coordination. In the initial phase of this first Supervisory Board, the frequency is expected to be higher. In addition, one trip a year to the Caribbean Netherlands should also be taken into account. The remuneration has been determined in accordance with the applicable government framework for policy participations.

The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations is being assisted in this procedure by executive search firm Colourful People. You can apply by uploading your CV and cover letter (both in PDF format) by 19 April at the latest via www.colourfulpeople.nl or by contacting us directly. For direct contact or any questions regarding these positions, you can speak to René Burgler-Roga, LL.M., Senior Partner at Colourful People, via r.burgler@colourfulpeople.nl or on 06 28 57 54 36. Immediately after receiving your application, we will contact you to arrange an in-depth pre-selection interview. The interviews with the selection committee are expected to take place in late April or early May. We intend to complete the procedure in the month of May. 

In addition to experienced supervisory directors, we explicitly welcome candidates with demonstrable potential, relevant subject-matter expertise, and administrative awareness who possess the right skills and are willing and able to develop further in a supervisory role.

Additional information