Appointment of Official Analyst

STATES OF JERSEY

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIAL ANALYST

Presented to the States on 17th June 2024 by the Chief Minister

STATES GREFFE

2024  R.102

REPORT

Introduction  

The Chief Minister presented a report to the States Assembly, giving 2 weeks' notice of the intention to appoint Mr John Farina as the Official Analyst.

The Chief Minister must appoint an officer as the Official Analyst under Article 2 of the Official Analyst (Jersey) Law 2022 (the "2022 Law"). Article 2 states –

"2Appointment of Official Analyst

1. The  Minister  must  appoint  an  officer  as  the  Official  Analyst  for  the discharging of the functions of the Official Analyst.
2. Before appointing an Official Analyst the Minister must consult and take into account the views of theJersey Appointments Commissionestablished under Article17 of the 2005Law.
3. Article  2  of  the  2018Law  (which  requires  advance  notice  of  the appointment to be given to the States) applies to the appointment of the Official Analyst.
4. The Official Analyst must hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Official Analyst's appointment.
5. The Minister may appoint a person as the Official Analyst only if the person–

1. holds a Mastership in Chemical Analysis awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry; or
2. both–

1. demonstrates  the  necessary  level  of  knowledge,  skill  and experience  in  analytical  chemistry  and  microbiological examination necessary to perform the functions of the Official Analyst under Jersey legislation, and
2. holds a qualification in analytical chemistry.

6. If the Minister appoints a person who does not satisfy paragraph(5)(a), the Minister must–
   1. include  in  the  advance  notice  required  under  Article  2  of  the 2018Law the qualifications the person has and the reasons the Minister determines that it is reasonable to appoint someone who does not satisfy that paragraph; and
   2. set out in writing the reasons why the Minister determines that it is reasonable to appoint someone who does not satisfy that paragraph and publish those reasons.
7. The Minister may, by Order, amend paragraph(5)(a)"

3

Background to the Office of the Official Analyst

The functions of the Official Analyst are set out under Article 5 the 2022 Law. Article 5 states –

"5Function of the Official Analyst

(1)The function of the Official Analyst is to use chemical and microbiological analysis to advise on and investigate matters where it is in the public interest to do so, including in relation to–

1. law and order;
2. public health and safety;
3. environmental protection;
4. consumer interests;
5. government policies and functions."

The position of Official Analyst was first established in 1884. The office of the Official Analyst provides analysis across a wide range of sectors, including samples of fertilisers and feeds, forensic samples in criminal cases, gas, water and medicines. The Official Analyst performs functions which are equivalent to that of public analysts elsewhere in the British Isles.

Matters relating to the appointment

In accordance with the requirements of the 2022 Law, the selection process was overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission. The Chief Minister's function to appoint the Official Analyst under Article 2 of the 2022 Law was delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive Officer on 12 September 2023 (R.135/2023). Accordingly, the Assistant Chief Executive Officer makes the appointment.

Financial and resource implications

There  are  no  additional  financial  or  resource  implications  in  making  this appointment.  The  former  Official  Analyst  has  retired,  and  the  role  is,  therefore, vacant. All staff costs including the Official Analyst (current grade CS15), are included in the existing allocated budget.

Short biography: Mr. John Farina

Mr John Farina has worked at the Official Analyst's laboratory for over 30 years, starting  as  an  Analyst  in  1987  and  working  up  to  his  current  role  as  Principal Analyst. He has been Acting Up into the position of Official Analyst, following the retirement of the current Official Analyst.

Having graduated from the University of Nottingham, where he was awarded a BSc (Joint Hons) in Physics and Chemistry, John joined the laboratory in 1987 as an analyst for 12 months, before then returning to Nottingham to undertake further studies for a PhD in catalysis. Upon returning to the laboratory in 1992, John has been involved in the full spectrum of laboratory work, starting with wet chemistry water analysis, progressing to general environmental analysis and public health work, and finally moving into forensics, with a specialisation in toxicology.

R.102/2024

This specialisation has led him to be part of the UK and Ireland Forensic Toxicology professional body and he now sits on the Method Validation sub-group which has been consulting on LAB 51 - an adaptation of ISO 17025 to the specifics of forensic toxicology.

He  has  undertaken  secondments  across  numerous  sectors  including  the  National Poison's Unit in New Cross Hospital, Health & Social Services department acting as Executive Officer for the Substance Misuse Strategy and a secondment to the Home Affairs department doing similar work on the Crime and Community Safety Strategy, further adding to his extensive experience in the principal functions of the Official Analyst's Department in Jersey.

Alongside  his  work  at the  laboratory,  John  has  undertaken a  course  of  study  in Analytical Chemistry, based on the MChemA principles, at Reading University, and has also completed a Diploma in Medical Toxicology at Cardiff University. Additionally, he  has  successfully  completed  his  Jersey  Advocate  and  Solicitors  exams.  More recently, John has attained a Certificate in Analytical Chemistry as part of his studies towards an MSc in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Manchester.

ENDS.