Key Objectives
The opportunity
The Island has entered an exciting phase in its development. To help us achieve the Government’s Agenda we are seeking an experienced, inspirational and highly motivated C-level executive to lead the St Helena Public Service during this time of change and development.
This is a unique and exciting position, which will provide you with the opportunity to make a lasting positive impact on the Island community. Vital to success, is your commitment to providing outstanding leadership, utilizing modern management methodologies to build confidence and ensure that the Public Service can deliver on the Government’s agenda. Ensuring the local community is well informed will drive your communications strategy.
This role is funded by UK Government as the skills required are not currently available on the Island. Officers employed through this ‘Technical Co-operation (TC) Programme’ are expected to share their knowledge and skills beyond the workplace to ensure their time on St Helena has the broadest benefit. It is important that you have the right values and attitude and that you are motivated by wanting to make a difference by contributing to our small island community. You will need to be adaptable, be sensitive to the local context and challenges, and able to take joy from the simple things in life. This is an excellent opportunity to support and contribute to the island whilst also enjoying the unique lifestyle opportunities the island can offer you.
The objectives
The overall objectives of the post during the contractual period are as follows:
- Consistent with government policy, support proper and effective government decision-making through the organisation and provision of timely advice to Executive Council.
- Advising the Governor and Chief Minister on policy, process and propriety.
- Support effective implementation of the Government’s policies and priorities, ensuring they are properly reflected across Portfolio priorities and business plans and are implemented with pace and rigour.
- Ensuring that all parts of the Public Service are working together in the most effective way to implement these priorities; and ensuring that the Public Service has the capability and leadership it needs to implement them.
- Maintain an effective and politically impartial Public Service that commands the confidence of Ministers and Elected Members, ensuring the Public Service Code of Management remains relevant; ensuring that the Public Service supports the Government in developing and implementing Ministers’ policies and priorities.
Capacity Development
A key objective for all the roles funded through the TC Programme is Capacity Development. Capacity Development is defined by the Public Service as:
- Developing specific job-related technical skills and knowledge in an individual or across teams or groups.
- Enhancing knowledge, skills and abilities of individuals, teams and the Public Service as a whole.
- Supporting the improvement of overall Public Service performance.
- Enhancing knowledge, skills and abilities of individuals within the private sector and wider community.
- Supporting the development of the island (including voluntary work) which may be unrelated to your substantive role.
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You will be directly involved in succession planning and will be required to:
- Participate in the performance management process and identify solutions for filling skill/capacity gaps.
- Facilitate continuing professional development for direct reports and the wider team as necessary.
- Develop succession plans, or contribute to succession planning for staff.
You can contribute to the development of the workforce even if you don’t have direct reports or a designate or successor for your role. You can also add value and support a range of projects through other activities including volunteering.
It is important that officers funded by the TC Programme collect and report on what they are doing to develop the workforce, in their section, in their Portfolio, across the Public Service and in some cases wider into the Private Sector. It is also important that the Public Service can report on the added value officers bring to the Island through supporting projects or volunteering.
Capturing the added value and capacity development that officers funded by the TC Programme undertake, as well as the collective impact these officers make to St Helena, is imperative as the Public Service relies on UK Government funding for these roles.
Throughout your employment you will be required to complete a Capacity Development Record to help the Public Service capture all of this information. Thinking about all you can do to support the development of people, services and St Helena should be an integral part of your time here.
Outputs, Timing and Reporting
- The Head of the Public Service shall provide to the Governor a regular report on public service matters in support of agreed performance objectives. These reports should cover the key performance indicators agreed with the Governor. The objectives should be agreed no later than three months after assuming the role.
- A Capacity Development Record should be kept by the postholder for the duration of their contract. This will be reviewed as part of the six-month probation review, annually as part of the appraisal process and at the end of contract review.
- The post will be for four years. Performance will be measured with respect to the Portfolios’ overall performance in service delivery and increases in operational effectiveness and efficiency. The Capacity Development Record will be a key document for measuring performance. A probationary period of 6 months will apply.
- The Head of the Public Service will report directly to the Governor.
- The Head of the Public Service will keep the Chief Minister informed regularly on the progress being made in relation to fulfilling the Government’s Vision.
- The Head of the Public Service shall have a structured engagement the Ministerial Cabinet.