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The process to recruit a permanent Government CEO has officially started, with just one member of Jersey's Government on the recruitment panel, it has been confirmed.
Charlie Parker will be officially leaving his role at head of the public service on 31 March after agreeing to step down last November in the wake of widespread anger over him taking up a second job as Non-Executive Director at UK real estate firm New River, without seeking the correct permission.
Paul Martin, the former Chief Executive of the London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond, has been appointed on an interim basis over the next 12 months.
He officially started on 1 March to allow a handover period with Mr Parker.
Pictured: Paul Martin will be the interim CEO for the next 12 months.
The Government has now started the process to recruit a permanent Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Public Service.
“The successful applicant will take on responsibility for the delivery of all public services to the island’s population, and will need to steer the economy, lead public policy, and help position the island on an increasingly competitive international stage,” the Government said in a press release.
“The CEO answers to Ministers and provides leadership to the public service.”
The role is currently advertised on the Government’s website with a ‘negotiable’ salary and as not requiring five years of residency. The outgoing CEO's salary was £250,000, and Mr Parker was also offered residential qualifications, which he will no longer be receiving.
The advert says the Government is seeking an “exceptional individual, capable of providing effective leadership to a complex, multi-faceted organisation delivering a broad range of services to the public, in a fast-moving and agile political environment”.
“As our new Chief Executive, you will join us at an exciting time, and be at the forefront of our ambitious agenda, providing both leadership and direction to a broad range of public services, whilst ensuring our plans are realised and deliver tangible benefits on behalf of the Island we serve,” it adds.
Applications will be reviewed by an Appointment Panel, consisting of:
Deputy Kirsten Morel, the Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, voiced concerns about the make-up of the Panel, noting he was “speechless” that it was to be led by someone from the UK Civil Service Commission and only include one member from the Government.
So, the appointment panel for the new permanent CEO is to be led by someone from the UK Civil Service Commission and will have only one member of Jersey's govt on it.
— Kirsten Morel (@KirstenJersey) March 24, 2021
Speechless.
Applications are open until 19 April and it is expected the candidates who are shortlisted will be interviewed in late June.
The successful candidate will start by March 2022 and will be offered a transition period with the current CEO.
“An ambitious period of transformation was set in motion by the previous Chief Executive, and there is still more to do to consolidate those changes and to respond to the impact of covid,” Constable Richard Buchanan, Vice Chair of the States Employment Board, said.
“We need strong leadership so we can continue to build on the reforms already in motion and to assess what actions are needed to see us through the difficult years following this global pandemic.
“This is an exceptional role and we will need an exceptional individual. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a successful track record of delivering services for the public, and an ability to provide leadership for our Civil Service in a fast-moving political environment.
“We need someone who has the intellectual capability to advise on domestic and foreign policy and can work with our senior leadership team on matters such as treasury, welfare benefits, health, education and infrastructure.
“We welcome applications from candidates with a broad range of backgrounds, from both on and off the Island, and I would very much encourage all Jersey candidates who have the relevant experience and qualifications to consider applying for this vital role.”
Pictured: Charlie Parker will be officially leaving the Government on 31 March.
The launch of the recruitment process comes just a few weeks after Express revealed Mr Parker had been given a fresh 'fixed-term' contract to see out his final few months in Jersey’s top civil service role.
The new three-month contract, which was released to Express following a request made under the Freedom of Information Law, which took around a month to process, covered 8 January to 31 March 2021.
It entitled Mr Parker to the same pay, and allowed him the equivalent of up to 41 days off on an annual basis under a “use it or lose it” policy.
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