Senior appointments
Mr Emanuel Abela, Director of Information (The Sunday Times, January 25) informed Dr J. Ribi that eligibility for headship positions to senior public officers is taken to mean officers in salary Scale 6 and above or senior principals in Scale 7, and...
Mr Emanuel Abela, Director of Information (The Sunday Times, January 25) informed Dr J. Ribi that eligibility for headship positions to senior public officers is taken to mean officers in salary Scale 6 and above or senior principals in Scale 7, and that seniority does not feature in appointments to headship positions themselves.
He added that selection decisions are based on relevant knowledge, experience and most importantly of all, a track record of demonstrable achievements and that neither age nor gender are taken into account.
Mr Joseph Schembri (The Sunday Times, February 8) asked Mr Abela a couple of pertinent questions in connection with the selection for headship positions, but these were never answered.
It is felt that the information requested is not only of importance to senior public officers but also to the public as such posts are paid from public funds.
Therefore, it is submitted that it is quite justified to expect the Director of Information to give a reply to the following questions:
(a) What is meant by relevant knowledge, experience and most importantly of all a track record of demonstrable achievements, as such definitions form the basis of selection? and
(b) What happens if an interested officer who deserves it is given a good reference by his immediate head, and the superiors of the immediate head when sounded, recommend someone else for some other reason other than for possessing relevant knowledge, experience and a track record of demonstrable achievements?
As a taxpayer, these questions prompt me to enquire further into the matter. The Senior Appointments Advisory Committee is in a position to realise whether the scenario at question (b) is factual. If this is true, will they still recommend the "someone else" to fill the vacant position?
Is any disciplinary action taken against the superiors of the immediate head for discriminating against the interested officer possessing relevant knowledge, experience and most importantly of all, a track record of demonstrable achievements? What if the someone else is on the doorstep of retirement? Is age taken into account?