Director of Operations South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

Office of the Commissioner

Government House

Stanley

Dear sir/madam,

The Government is recruiting a Director of Operations to oversee the Government’s operations and logistics including the planning and implementation of major projects in the Territory, and its visitor management and cultural heritage policy. The role is available on a 3-year contract. The role is based in the Falkland Islands although some work in the UK may be possible. The successful candidate must be prepared to undergo UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office security clearance.

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  Plan, manage and co-ordinate GSGSSI operations and logistics on South Georgia including the deployment of the Government’s logistics and fishery patrol vessel (on long-term charter) to meet logistics and offshore fishery protection objectives;
  

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  Lead incident and emergency preparedness planning (including incident stores), running an annual major incident exercise, ensuring appropriate training for key team members and assuming Silver Command responsibility from our office in the Falkland Islands;
  

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  Oversee the annual programme of works on South Georgia, working with the Works and Heritage Manager and the British Antarctic Survey to ensure that assets and infrastructure are appropriately maintained and serviced to meet the needs of Government operations, including by running key Government procurement exercises;
  

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  Lead the development of heritage policy, overseeing the Government’s Heritage Advisory Panel and working with stakeholders such as the Norwegian Government and South Georgia Heritage Trust to ensure the Territory’s heritage is appropriately recorded, protected and managed including through development and implementation of long-term management plans;
  

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  Lead the development of visitor management policy, acting as the Government’s focal point for the tourist industry including representation at international meetings (principally the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators), operating visitor site management, monitoring and compliance, and oversight of the South Georgia Post Office;
  

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  Oversee visit requests including tourist applications from cruise ships and yachts, expeditions, media/film productions and the administration of marriages. Provide focal point for liaison and planning with the Royal Navy/British Forces South Atlantic Islands;
  

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  Manage strategic relationships with senior representatives of some of our key partners including the British Antarctic Survey and South Georgia Heritage Trust to ensure an effective, collaborative and co-ordinated management approach on South Georgia;
  

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  Management of staff including a Works and Heritage Manager, Government Officers (the Commissioner’s representatives on South Georgia) and the Finance, Administration and Logistics Officer.
  

The post-holder will report to the Chief Executive Officer in the Office of the Commissioner in Stanley. Normal working hours are 36.25 hours per week; some occasional evening and weekend work will be required to support operations. 


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  Leading and Communicating – you will be an ambassador for the Government, required to lead your policy areas, and engage and communicate effectively with stakeholders. You will need to act fairly, with honesty and integrity, including in handling sensitive information. You will lead the Government’s initial response to an incident or emergency.
  

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  Making Effective Decisions – the post holder will need to use sound and objective judgement, evidence and knowledge to arrive at well-reasoned justifiable decisions to deliver the best outcomes within the available resources.
  

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  Collaborating and Partnering – you will need to develop positive, professional relationships with a range of stakeholders including industry, NGOs, the UK Government and the Falkland Islands Government in order to develop and implement effective policy and ensure effective collaboration and partnership.
  

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  Delivering Value for Money – you will oversee procurement exercises and will be required to seek out and implement solutions which achieve a good mix of quality and effectiveness at the best price. You will take evidence-based decisions and follow agreed processes and policies, challenging these appropriately where they appear to prevent good value for money.
  

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  Delivering at Pace – this is a busy role and the job holder will need to focus on delivery with energy, taking accountability and responsibility for quality outcomes. The job holder will set the policy outcomes on tourism and heritage and be required to resource and deliver them effectively.
  

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  Experience in a leadership role of running operations and managing risk, including major incidents;
  
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  Responsible, self-motivated with an ability to work independently and as part of a small team;
  
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  Flexible and adaptable to deliver a range of duties and diverse workloads under pressure;
  
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  Confidence to take charge and make decisions in a variety of situations and to stand firm in the face of challenge;
  
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  Good verbal and written communication skills and competent in the use of MS Office;
  
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  Full driving licence.