Are you a strong government, agency or not-for-profit leader with considerable policy development and management expertise? Do you have track record of success providing advice and options on complex national and local policy issues? Do you have strong corporate management skills? Are you equally comfortable directing the activities of others and ‘rolling up your sleeves’?
Would you enjoy living and working within a thriving small community, set in a pristine and unique natural environment?
If so, a once in a lifetime experience to deliver sound, evidence-based and high quality policies and programmes on a wide range of issues awaits. As the Director of Policy and Economic Development of the Falkland Islands, you will lead a small, professional department that incorporates Environment, Public Health, Communications, Economist and Statistical services, Policy, Economic Development and Archivist services.
We can assure you of an experience where no two days will ever be the same and your work can make a lasting contribution.
The Role
The Falkland Islands Government is recruiting for a Director of Policy and Economic Development to join its Corporate Management Team. In this role, you will report directly to the Chief Executive and will work closely with elected Members of the Legislative Assembly, as well as with Directors from across government to deliver on the priorities of the Islands Plan and uphold the principles of public sector excellence. You will be expected to develop, shape and advocate and advise on policies covering a wide range of national and international issues – assisted by a strong team currently including 14 professional and support staff.
Your collaborative approach, political acumen, people management skills and ability to communicate effectively at all levels within government and the community will help you succeed and thrive in this fast-paced environment.
It is an exciting time to be taking up this role, as the Falkland Islands is on the brink of achieving major new economic development opportunities in resource development, tourism, science and research that will further enhance its strong economy. And with new opportunities come new challenges – requiring dynamic, focused and evidence-based thought leadership.
The Person
You will have a proven track record of delivering complex, solution-oriented policy analysis and development, ideally in a public sector environment as well as senior management experience preferably in a government or agency setting. A degree or specialist training in economics, business, public affairs, political or social sciences is a requirement, as is evidence of strong communications and analytical skills. The ability to quickly develop a high degree of national and international political awareness concerning the Falkland Islands will be a necessity.
The Package
- Initial 3 - 4 Years Fixed Term Contract, with potential for extension by mutual agreement;
- Preferred start date: October 2019;
- Salary Range from £73-90k dependent upon qualifications and experience;
- Eligibility for a 25% Gratuity, paid upon successful completion of the contract;
- 30 Days Annual Leave, plus government and public holidays (totalling 41 days leave);
- Relocation Allowance, to help with moving costs;
- Flights Package for you and your dependents, including mid-term return flight(s) home;
- Government Housing for rent at a subsidised rate and a starter pack to help you settle in.
About the Falkland Islands
The employer
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) is the largest employer in the Falkland Islands and offers a range of unique and fulfilling job opportunities across the full spectrum of public services. Our responsibilities include those typically managed by central (national) government – including taxation, environmental protection, trade, legislation and immigration – as well as those usually coordinated sub-nationally such as town planning, public works, education, health and social services. FIG also provides services specific to the needs of the Falkland Islands, including fisheries research, national utilities and the government air service.
The place
Set in the South Atlantic Ocean, around 400 miles east of South America and 8,000 miles south-west of the UK, the Falkland Islands are a small, thriving community with a British way of life and full employment, benefiting from good local services, a close community and opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere in the world. A U.K. Overseas Territory, we enjoy a stunning natural environment with unspoiled landscapes and amazing wildlife to observe and explore, including 5 species of penguins, whales and dolphins, all seen from the shore or up close.
Top Five reasons to work in the Falkland Islands:
1. Quality of life – if you’re fed up of the daily commute, then why not swap the many hours you spend in transit for a journey to work of only five minutes? It’s not only traffic jams that will be a thing of the past, but with a well-functioning healthcare system you won’t have to wait days to see a doctor, and this is true of most public services. Plus what a bonus to leave the office and be at home/on the beach/relaxing in a flash.
2. Society and community – in the Falkland Islands, there is always something going on - from live music to sport, from theatre performances to pub quizzes, formal galas to hikes and marathons – you can participate or watch, it’s up to you. And you will build friendships that will last a lifetime in this tight-knit community, where you will come to know everyone as ‘Che’.
3. Professional challenge – in a government serving a country of 3,200 people with full internal self-government, you will have a unique opportunity to inform and develop policy on a full range of economic, fiscal, political, environmental and social issues – and to participate from the problem definition to the final implementation.
4. Safety and security – do you yearn for the days when you didn’t have to lock your doors? Welcome to the Falkland Islands – one of the safest places on the planet. Its low crime rate means it is an excellent place not only to walk the streets in safety, but also to raise children.
5. Adventure –from taking a nine-seater plane to one of the outer islands to see albatross, sea lions and seals, to climbing a mountain range or taking a mid-winter dip in the chilly South Atlantic with hundreds of other hearty souls, the Falkland Islands offer an unparalleled environment for adventure.