Principal Assistant Secretary

The Governors Office invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the position of Principal Assistant Secretary, Governor's Office.

MANDATE

The Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS) provides the Permanent Secretary with advice, assistance, highly-level administrative support, policy, and operational oversight within the Ministry to ensure the successful formulation and implementation of ministerial and cross-ministerial Government policies and programmes throughout the Anguilla Public Service, in accordance with the established procedures and policies.
Acting as a pivotal advisor and leader, the Principal Assistant Secretary ensures that departmental strategies align with national priorities and that projects meet high standards of quality, efficiency, and public value.

KEY DUTIES

· Strategic Policy and Vision

o Anticipate the impact of socio-economic, technological, and environmental trends on the Ministry’s goals, shaping strategies that align with government vision.
o Develop insights into community needs and public sector demands, ensuring that the Ministry’s work aligns with the national interest and public expectations.
o Formulate, review, upgrade and adapt policies that support long-term government goals, collaborating with teams to ensure seamless integration into Ministerial plans.

· Operational and Change Management

o Provide technical and administrative support to the Permanent Secretary on matters relating to the Ministry’s portfolio.
o Champion a culture of innovation and measured risk-taking to develop forward-thinking approaches that drive service quality.
o Lead and manage organizational change efforts, ensuring smooth transitions in policies, processes, and service delivery models.
o Foster a culture of adaptive leadership, guiding teams through transformation while maintaining efficiency and morale.
o Lead digital transformation initiatives that prioritize accessibility and inclusiveness for diverse end users.
o Ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of the Ministry’s policies through consultation with various stakeholders so that all relevant opinions and concerns are taken into account.
o Assist with the coordination of the annual budgetary process for the Ministry through budget planning meetings with Department Heads to ensure that the budget captures the key objectives and programmes for the coming budget cycle.
o Modernize public service delivery by leveraging technology, process optimization, and evidence-based decision-making.

Implement a comprehensive risk management framework that addresses governance, reputational, and operational risks within the Ministry to ensure resilience and accountability.

· Decision-Making and Leadership

o Make strategic decisions with boldness and clarity, weighing economic, social, and environmental impacts to guide organizational direction.
o Encourage open feedback and constructive challenges to ensure decisions are balanced and account for the needs of all stakeholders.
o Act as a visible and approachable leader, inspiring confidence among staff and promoting the Ministry’s reputation both internally and  externally.

· Stakeholder Communication and Influence

o Engage with external partners, negotiating outcomes that advance mutual objectives and build sustainable relationships.
o Foster a collaborative environment where staff feel valued and encouraged to contribute to discussions, providing clear rationale for decisions and changes.

· Team Collaboration and Inclusion

o Build and maintain a strong network within the Ministry and with external partners, ensuring seamless knowledge sharing and support.
o Embed an inclusive culture that values diversity, supports wellbeing, and creates a safe, positive work environment for all employees.
o Set and enforce high standards of conduct, ensuring a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, bullying, and harassment.

· Development and Capability Building

o Model continuous learning and self-development, encouraging team members to take responsibility for their own growth.
o Assist the Permanent Secretary with leading and managing the staff in the Ministry through staff performance, coaching, mentoring and  motivating staff to drive productivity and to enable efficient operations of the Ministry.
o Develop and implement strategies to build a sustainable talent pipeline, supporting diversity and inclusion in leadership and high- potential development.

· Service Quality and Customer Focus

o Use customer insights to design and deliver services that meet diverse stakeholder needs, ensuring efficient use of taxpayer resources.
o Collaborate with delivery partners to establish and monitor quality standards, adapting strategies to meet evolving service expectations.
o Break down complex goals into practical, actionable plans, identifying resource needs and managing risks to ensure smooth service delivery

Efficient Delivery and Accountability

o Translate strategic objectives into clear, outcome-focused goals, empowering managers and teams to deliver on priorities.
o Promote resilience within the organization, enabling responsive and adaptable service delivery amidst changing circumstances.
o Lead by example in maintaining a strong focus on outcomes, fostering an environment that balances support with autonomy.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

This role is designed to identify and develop individuals with the potential to reach the highest levels in the public service. The successful candidate must be self-motivated, results-oriented, and demonstrate the ability to drive change, implement policy initiatives, and manage strategic projects. The PAS will play a key role in supporting the Permanent Secretary in developing, executing, and monitoring policy initiatives that align with ministerial objectives while ensuring operational efficiency and governance compliance.
The successful individual must demonstrate competency in the following areas: