Join us
You will provide a progressive, confident and, as appropriate, high profile leadership for the Public Service on behalf of the Governor and the Chief Minister. This will include setting the strategic direction for the Service in the context of established Government policy, objectives and priorities, and articulating a motivating vision, clear sense of purpose and direction underpinned by a performance oriented culture and a strong public service ethic.
Dear prospective candidate,
Thank you for considering the position of Head of the Public Service of the Government of St Helena. Whilst this introductory letter is intended to be candid, it is also my hope that it will inspire the right person.
St Helena is experiencing a period of change, challenge and opportunity. This appointment has undeniable potential to influence all three components. Turning to the first. Change is of course a normal state of affairs and something you will embrace. For St Helena, the next period will be significant. On 3 September 2025 a new Legislative Council (parliament) will be elected. From the twelve councilors duly appointed, five will be chosen to be ministers. This is only the second iteration of a ministerial form of government. The revised governance arrangement has undoubtedly been a success, but it is still bedding in. We have in the past six months conducted an independent review of what has worked well and where we can do better. As the Head of the Public Service, you will be instrumental in working with the government to consider the lessons identified and determining how we collectively move forward. This is classic change management territory, not least as this will be achieved concurrently with the delivery of statutory government services.
Our local context sits within a global situation which is proving to be a challenge for many societies. St Helena is no exception. Struggling to develop its economy, the island is suffering a period of slow depopulation as young Saints, as the locals are known, look for better outcomes overseas. The remaining population is similarly ageing. There are no quick fixes, not least as St Helena is Overseas Development Aid dependent and funds are tight. Further, our remoteness, long an ally for defense, now exacerbates multi-faceted issues and acts to deepen dependencies.
Yet there is opportunity. St Helena has significant natural capital. Further, as a UK Overseas Territory, the UK government has invested heavily in infrastructure, including the construction of an airport and a new port. Both will help facilitate tourism. Connection to a high-speed subsea cable two years ago should also promote broader development. The ministerial team will determine the direction of travel, but they will necessarily rely on a Public Service of some 800 people to advise on how we innovate to exploit what we have and build what could be. As the Head of that Service, your impact will inspire others and help craft the pathway to ever better outcomes. To be clear, we are not looking for revolution, but instead a leader and team player who brings relentless evolution of best practice in a manner that will be sympathetic to a society that knows a thing or two about surviving and prospering on an island in the middle of the South Atlantic.
So why should you consider bringing your considerable talents to St Helena? Apart from the professional dimension, there is the chance of a remarkable life adventure. The resident population is around 4000 and many visitors marvel at how friendly the place is. You will be amazed at how quickly you become part of the community. Certainly, you will have no fear about being a victim of crime.
And then there is the environment. Whether it is snorkeling with whale sharks, diving in pristine water rich with sea life (this is a great place to learn to dive) or walking in a remarkably diverse terrestrial environment, this island offers so much to those who love nature. A warning however, St Helena will not appeal to those who like bright lights and shopping malls; we don’t have any.
So, if you have the ability to make a difference to the lives of an incredibly multi-ethnic, peaceful community currently facing one of its cyclical ‘tough spots’ in history, and you desire the adventure of living for a few years on an island that will lift your spirit, welcome!
Nigel James Phillips, CBE
Governor of St. Helena