Government seeks permanent Infrastructure Head

Tuesday 27 April 2021

The Government is officially on the hunt for a new Director General for the Infrastructure, Housing and Environment (IHE) department.

The department, which was known as Growth, Housing and Environment (GHE) until September 2020, was previously run by John Rogers.

Government officials announced at the beginning of March 2020 that Mr Rogers would be leaving the Government after 16 years, including 10 as Chief Officer and Director General, at the end of that month.

It came after it emerged in late 2019 that the senior government worker hadn't been told about plans to significantly reduce his portfolio.

Pictured: John Rogers previously ran the department, which was known as Growth, Housing and Environment (GHE) until September 2020.

It wasn't until a public Scrutiny hearing that Mr Rogers was informed – accidentally – that he would effectively be losing the ‘G’ in his department’s name, with that element moving into a new independent 'Economy' department.

The former Government Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, said that, amid these changes, he had entered discussions with Mr Rogers about potential changes to his role in February 2020.

In the end, however, he said it was agreed that "it was time for him to take on a new challenge in Jersey" and that he should leave at the end of this month.

Andy Scate has been Acting Director General since the end of March 2020. The Government is now advertising the role to find a permanent recruit.

Pictured: Andy Scate has been Acting Director General for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment since the end of March 2020.

According to the job description, the Director General of IHE will “oversee the strategic development of Jersey’s capital programmes and will be operationally responsible for a range of key services”, as well as having oversight for “the long-term strategy for infrastructure across the island and for ensuring inclusive growth."

Candidates will be required to have “demonstrable experience of working in a senior role in a highly sensitive political environment” as well as “ability to challenge and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders to enable the delivery of actions and results that support the strategic direction required by the Chief Executive, and Council of  Ministers."

The role is open to off-island candidates, as ‘Entitled’ status is not required. It is advertised as being a full-time role with a negotiable salary under Tier 1 Grade, which, according to the 2020 payscales, represents a salary of between £141,000 and £175,000.

Applications are open until 7 May 2021 and recruitment is being carried out by consultants McLean Partnership, who specialise in “Executive Search and Interim Management services”, according to their website.