E-Commerce Manager: Application for 5 Year 'J' Category Licence

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A decision made (05.08.2009) to endorse application for a 5 year "J" Category Licence for an E-Commerce Manager.

Decision Reference: MD-E-2009-0145
Decision Summary Title :	Application to the Population Office for a 5 year "J" category Licence to be granted		Date of Decision Summary:	03.08.09
Decision Summary Author:	Human Resources Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Application to the Population Office for a 5 year "J" category Licence to be granted		Date of Written Report:	03.08.09
Written Report Author:	Human Resources Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: E-Commerce Manager, Economic Development Department Application to the Population Office for a 5 year "J" category Licence to be granted.
Decision(s): The Minister for Economic Development endorses the proposal to secure the necessary approvals to enable the appointment of a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled person from outside the Island under the auspices of the Housing (General Provisions)(Jersey) Regulations 1979, Regulation 1(1)(j) for the post of E-commerce Manager, Economic Development Department.
Reason(s) for Decision: Two local recruitment campaigns have failed to identify any suitably qualified and experienced locally qualified candidates for the post of E-commerce Manager, grade 12. The role of the E-commerce Manager is absolutely essential to achieve the 2009/10 objectives for Economic Development by implementing an e-commerce strategy in order to enhance Jersey’s reputation as a world class business centre by encouraging entrepreneurship and improving productivity. It therefore fulfils the criteria of ‘essential’ as defined under the housing regulations.
Resource Implications: Costs of advertising and recruitment – approximately £2000. Costs of flights and hotels for candidates – approximately £2000. Relocation expenses for successful candidate – maximum £8000.
Action required: The Chief Officer to make an application to the Population Office for a "J" category Licence to be granted for the post of E-commerce Manager under the auspices of the Housing (General Provisions) (Jersey) Regulations 1970, Regulation 1(1)j. Subject to the approval of the application to the Population Office, Economic Development Department will appoint a suitably qualified and experienced candidate from outside of the Island to fill this post.
Signature: Senator A.J.H.Maclean		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

E-Commerce Manager: Application for 5 Year 'J' Category Licence

Report to the Economic Development Minister

Request for "J" Category Licence approval

E-Commerce Manager, Economic Development Department

1. Purpose of the Report

1.1 The Minister is asked to support a request and recommend approval of a 5 year "J" category licence for the post of E-Commerce Manager at the Economic Development Department.

2. Background and Discussion

2.1 The Department currently has a vacancy for the post of E-Commerce Manager which is a permanently funded post. The job description has been evaluated and is a Civil Service grade 12.

2.2 Economic Development Department is in a challenging phase due to the current global economic climate. The post holder will implement an e-commerce strategy and will be responsible for enhancing Jersey’s reputation as a world class business centre by encouraging entrepreneurship and improving productivity.

2.3 The person specification for the post requires various high level qualifications, including a first degree in management/ business administration or information and communications technology, together with 10 years experience in an e-commerce environment and a proven track record in project management, business analysis, information systems and delivering e-commerce architecture solutions.

2.4 The post was first advertised in the JEP in 2008 with no applications being received.

It was subsequently re-advertised in the JEP and on the Working for Jersey website on 28th May 2009 with a closing date of 11th June 2009. Four locally qualified candidates were short listed for interview despite not fully meeting the criteria stated in 2.3. It became evident during the interview process, however, that none of the candidates had the full range of experience and strategic breadth necessary for the role due to the vital impact of the post across the Island’s various industry sectors.

2.5 No individual currently within the organisation possesses the experience set. Due to the specifics of the qualifications and experience needed for this role it is not possible to train existing employees. While the post might seem a mainstream ‘IT’ role, the reality is that it requires a mixture of skills involving both knowledge and experience of IT strategy plus delivery across a competitive commercial environment. In view of the need to deliver key operational objectives before the end of 2009, and the lack of suitably qualified local applicants for this post, it is considered expedient to obtain consent for the award of a 5 year “J” category licence.

2.6 Given the likelihood that the role could change over time, the granting of a 5 year ‘J’ will allow the department to build the necessary strategy and commercial vision for the Island and contemplate legislative change. Once this has been achieved the role can be re-appraised and local recruitment can be re-considered. In the event that a ‘J’ category licence is approved, the department intends to advertise simultaneously both locally and in the UK and will give preference to any local applicants that may not have previously applied.

3. Recommendation

3.1 The Minister for Economic Development endorses the proposal to secure the necessary approvals to enable the appointment of a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled person from outside the Island under the auspices of the Housing (General Provisions)(Jersey) Regulations 1979, Regulation 1(1)j for the post of E-Commerce Manager on the basis of a 5 year “J” category housing licence.

Human Resources Officer

03 August 2009