Assistant Secretary

Role Summary
To facilitate continuous improvement in the quality of governance demonstrated by Statutory Boards, by assisting to ensure that Statutory Boards are in compliance with relevant national, regional and international standards, the Constitution, their specific legislation, applicable Statutory Board Policies and any other relevant processes and guidelines.

Role Responsibilities

1. Provide assistance and support to the Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the formulation of policy and administration of the Premier’s Office and its departments to maintain the efficient delivery of services.
2. Conduct research and assist with policy development, analysis and delivery in line with the requirements of the Ministry. 
3. Prepare Cabinet Papers, speeches, and statements for the Minister, press releases, and answers to House of Assembly questions as required to assist the Minister. 
4. Liaise with local and external persons, agencies and departments in order to respond to the needs of the public. 
5. Serve as the Ministry’s subject and Desk Officer for assigned departments. 
6. Monitor the implementation of the Government Legislative Agenda and strategic management initiatives to ensure that execution of such initiatives is consistent with original objectives. 
7. Represent the Ministry at meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences and other official functions locally and overseas to ensure presence of the Ministry and to represent its interests. 
8. Monitor incoming correspondence to remain current with a wide range of information and to assist with necessary follow-up action. 
9. Provide support to government ministries on strategic management to contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Civil Service.
10. Complete a minimum of 60 Essential Learning Hours annually to enhance professional knowledge and skills.
11. Direct the development and maintenance of a database to monitor Governance compliance of Statutory Boards, ensuring adherence to relevant legislation, government policies, and international standards. 
12. Use the information in the database to flag any areas in which there may be concerns about individual Statutory Boards in terms of transparency, accountability, stewardship, and performance as they deliver services, programmes and projects to the public, or opportunities for improvement in any of the above areas. 
13. Work closely with relevant Ministries to ensure that the process of recruiting members of the Boards of Directors of Statutory Bodies, orienting the Boards, and monitoring the effectiveness of the Boards, in as timely, well-coordinated, effective, and efficient as possible, and follows the guidelines outlined in the relevant policy. 
14. Work closely with relevant Ministries and relevant Statutory Boards to ensure that Statutory Boards are in compliance with specified aspects of their legislation such as timeframes for submission of their annual reports, audited financial reports etc. and that they are meeting any reporting criteria as described in the relevant policy. 
15. Report regularly on the state of Statutory Boards as identified in the relevant policy. 
16. Assist with technical and strategic recommendation to assist in guiding policy directions, actions that could be taken to improve Statutory Board Governance etc.
17. Assist with facilitating training regarding Statutory Board Management and Governance to improve understanding of relevant policy, legislation etc. 
18. Keep abreast of trends in Statutory Board Governance and of relevant international criteria for corporate governance. 
19. Perform any other duties as required by Supervisor or any other senior officers in order to contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of Premier’s Office.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Management, Public Administration or related field
• Qualified Corporate Secretary (preferred)
• Five (5) to seven (7) years working experience in a management capacity

Knowledge & Skills

• Sound knowledge of the Constitution
• Sound knowledge of National Sustainable Development Plan
• Sound knowledge of Government structure, policies, and procedures
• Sound knowledge of Corporate/Statutory Board Governance
• Sound knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and policies
• Sound oral and written communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of the use of standard office equipment and computer applications
• Sound knowledge of data collection, storage, and database management
• Sound analytical and decision-making skills
• Sound interpersonal and organisational skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Detail oriented