Jersey Appointments Commission: appointment of Chairman.

STATES OF JERSEY

JERSEY APPOINTMENTS COMMISSION: APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

Lodged au Greffe on 26th August 2014 by the Chief Minister

STATES GREFFE

2014   Price code: B  P.147

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

in  accordance  with  Article 18(1)  of  the  Employment  of  States  of  Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005, which is concerned with the appointment of Commissioners to the Jersey Appointments Commission, to appoint the Right Honourable Dame Janet Paraskeva as Chairman of the Jersey Appointments Commission for a period of 4 years.

CHIEF MINISTER

REPORT

1  Introduction

The Jersey Appointments Commission is established under the Employment of States of Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005, Part 4 ("the Law"). The Commission  consists  of  a  Chairman  and  not  more  than  4 other Commissioners.

This proposition is lodged in pursuance of Article 18(1) of the Law. The Chief Minister wishes to appoint a new Chairman to the fill the existing vacancy, and makes this recommendation to the States of Jersey.

On 29th July 2014, the States Employment Board approved the appointment of  the  Rt. Hon.  Dame  Janet  Paraskeva  as  Chairman  of  the  Jersey Appointments Commission, for a 4 year term, to commence on a date when this recommendation is approved.

2. Background

The Jersey Appointments Commission is the independent body established to oversee appointments within the scope of the States of Jersey.

The role of the Commission will develop over the coming year, as part of a wider review of States employment practices, and as a result of proposed changes to the Employment of States of Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005. Supported by the States' Human Resources Department, the Chairman will have a crucial role in the review, whilst leading the Commission in its ongoing work  to  encourage,  facilitate  and  monitor the  maintenance  of  the  highest standards of probity in appointment processes.

Current members of the Jersey Appointments Commission and the expiry date of their appointments are –

3. Chairman – recruitment procedure The Appointment Panel consisted of –

The position was advertised by Gatenby Sanderson, executive recruitment agents, both in the Jersey Evening Post on 27th February 2014 and in the Sunday Times on Sunday 2nd March. The advertisement also appeared online on  the  Gatenby  Sanders  website  and  the  States  of  Jersey  website: http://www.gov.je/Working/Pages/default.aspx.  The  closing  date  was  21st March 2014.

Mr. Robin Staveley,  a  Partner  of  Gatenby  Sanderson,  led  the  recruitment process and conducted a search for suitable high-calibre candidates.

There were 38 applicants, and their CVs were reviewed by the Panel and longlisted to six. Thereafter, preliminary interviews were held by Mr. Staveley and subsequently, using his reports, shortlisting took place. Four very strong candidates were chosen to be interviewed. One withdrew and 3 candidates were interviewed at the first mutually convenient date, 7th July 2014. The local applicants were not successful in being shortlisted for interview.

4. Appointment

The Appointment Panel selected the Rt. Hon. Dame Janet Paraskeva.

Rt. Hon. Dame Janet Paraskeva

Dame Janet Paraskeva has led change through a public appointments system in  the  UK as  1st  Civil  Service  Commissioner,  working  in  Whitehall and Westminister, where one of her most significant roles was guardian of the Civil Service Code of Ethics and hearing complaints in relation to that code. Dame Janet shifted the role of the body into one of audit, regulation and guidance, working closely with politicians and government departments. Her role also  influenced  the  shape  of  legislation.  She  chaired  competitions to appoint Permanent Secretaries to major UK Departments of State, and advised the  Cabinet  Minister  on  the  appointment  of  non-executive  members  of government departments.

As an experienced chairman, Dame Janet also brings an understanding of senior leadership. As 1st Civil Service Commissioner she was, in all but name, Chairman of the organisation, and she led a team which met monthly to develop legislation and to share best practice. She recruited and developed her team  of  Commissioners;  through  them  she  ensured  the  principle  of appointment on merit was instilled in senor recruitments. She has knowledge of the press and media and has advised on communication of appointments.

Dame Janet has had many roles involving either political scrutiny or political interface. She was in close contact with Ministers at the CSC; she has also had significant  local  government  dealings  through  her  interest  in  education; through her work as Chairman with the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Agency through to her role at Plan UK, she has had further experience. She has also worked for politicians in different contexts, such as Northern Ireland.

In  summary,  Dame  Janet  Paraskeva's  CV,  and  her  performance  at  the preliminary and Board interviews, demonstrate that she is highly suitable for the role of Chairman of the Jersey Appointments Commission.

5. Endorsement of the appointment

The Chief Minister has independent endorsement from the Independent Panel Member,  Sir  Jon  Shortridge,  and  from  Mr. Robin  Staveley,  of  Gatenby Sanderson,  that  the  appointment  procedure  and  selection  of  Dame  Janet Paraskeva for the role of Chairman of the Jersey Appointments Commission was thorough, without bias, and that the selection was based on merit in line with the principles set by the Jersey Appointments Commission (see attached Appendix).

6. Financial and manpower implications

This proposal does not have any additional resource implications, as this is a replacement  appointment  and  costs  will  be  met  from  within  the  existing budget.

7. Recommendation

The Chief Minister recommends to the States the appointment of Dame Janet Paraskeva as Chairman of the Jersey Appointments Commission for a period of 4 years.

APPENDIX