Welcome
Message from Governor and Chief Executive, Falkland Islands Government
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the post of Director of Community Safety.
This is an unusual and exciting opportunity in an unusual and exciting place!
The Islands are a unique environment. A small community with a British way of life in an area two thirds the size of Wales, blessed with excellent services, low crime, an incredible wild-life and close to South America. For those with a sense of adventure it provides opportunities which are hard to match.
The Falkland Islands Government, overseen by 8 elected Members of the Legislative Assembly, employs about 600 staff and spends about £40m each year. Director posts provide some of the best jobs in the world: a single organisation covering every aspect of public service on a small scale means directors range from national policy making to operational details within a few minutes. With little external regulation, there is real scope for policy making and innovation. The Government has benefited from strong revenue growth over many years driven by offshore fishing and tourism. This had allowed the development of really excellent services. However we have been insulated from the financial pressures which have driven public service reforms in other states such as the UK. As a result the Government presents as rather old fashioned: but it has truly first class staff who are flexible and resourceful.
The financial situation has now changed as fisheries revenues have become less certain and as the global recession bites. This is posing considerable challenges for an organisation not used to retrenchment. There is though great scope for improving value for money in public services whilst continuing to improve standards. To do so will require directors who have a strong track record of improving services and providing value for money but who can adapt their experience to the scale and context of the Islands.
The post of Director of Community Safety is a new one created in a recent comprehensive review of the Government. Its purpose is to lead and facilitate the joint working of a range of services to ensure the community is a safe place to live in. The Director, who will be a member of the Corporate Management Team of the Government, will take strategic responsibility for the Police, Fire, Customs and Immigration, and Defence Force and will also be the Chief Police Officer. The post provides a great opportunity to lead and mould these key services in a ground-breaking way. Priorities will include taking forward an improvement plan for the Police service, co-ordinating emergency planning, ensuring appropriate provision for security of oil exploration and ensuring each individual service can achieve the objectives agreed for it in the Islands Plan.
If you have drive and initiative, coupled with a clear record of achievement in relevant fields, and a sense of adventure then we’d like to share the excitement of our Islands with you.
Yours sincerely,
TimThorogood
Chief Executive
Alan Huckle
Governor