14 February 2008
Improved opportunities for islanders to compete effectively for top jobs in Jersey’s Civil Service have been endorsed by the States Employment Board. These are contained in a new report aimed at ensuring a better chance for local candidates competing for key roles in the island’s government, which was welcomed in the States today by the Chief Minister, Senator Frank Walker.
Endorsing all the report’s main recommendations, Senator Walker said its findings would go a long way towards giving local people enhanced opportunities when competing for senior posts.
“The Board was particularly pleased to note the co-ordinated efforts that are now in place, which should ensure that local candidates for the most senior posts in Jersey’s public service will be much better equipped to compete for those roles in the future.”
The working party that compiled the report consisted of four States members, Deputies Roy Le Herrisier, Ian Gorst, Collin Egre and John Le Fondre, together with the Director of Human Resources, Ian Crich. They recognised that while not all senior States posts will necessarily be filled by local candidates, it is vital to provide them with the relevant training and preparation to ensure they’re better prepared to compete for top jobs as they arise.
They recommended the existing 1998 policy on Succession and Career Management be simplified, brought up to date and re-introduced by the Corporate Management Board. They’ve also called for a quarterly report to be produced, listing any senior posts which have gone to external candidates and justifying why this was necessary.
The group noted the success of the Modern Managers Programme, designed to equip middle managers with the skills they need to become effective leaders in the States of Jersey. And they welcomed the introduction of a Future Leaders Programme, which is giving a group of existing “high potential” employees a top quality leadership development programme, designed around local needs, to help them compete for senior positions when they arise.
In accepting that some high level posts would continue to go to external candidates, the group is recommending the process of assessment and selection in senior recruitment should fully test the ability of the candidates to understand and operate effectively within “the Jersey context”.
The Director of Human Resources has started to develop the existing assessment process to ensure this key area is given an increased profile in the future.
Notes to editors: -
For more information please call Senator Frank Walker on 440435
- 8 groups of managers have started the Modern Managers Programme (which spans 11 modules over 18 months).
The first 4 groups will complete the programme in March, 2008. A total of 200 managers will have completed the programme over the next 2 years.
- The Future Leaders Programme will be delivered by the University of Warwick Business School over a period of 2 years. 11 candidates were accepted onto the programme, which was launched on 15 January 2008.
The group will work on States wide issues as a collective, working with and alongside the Corporate Management Board. In the second year there are likely to be off-island placements to enhance the breadth of the participants’ experience.
- Work is already underway, as proposed by the working group, to simplify the 1998 policy on Succession and Career Management, and it’s expected it will be re-launched by 31 March 2008.
gov.je