PSC opens applications for key permanent secretary roles

Public Service Commission chairperson Luke Rokovada has confirmed that permanent secretary positions for Finance and Trade are now open for applications, with interviews scheduled for next week.

Mr Rokovada today clarified that the current permanent secretaries in both ministries have contracts ending this year, prompting the commission to advertise the positions.

“Their current contract is coming to an end, end of this year, so we are advertising and we'll see what the response is like,” Mr Rokovada said.

“They might get reappointed or we might appoint new people.”

The current permanent secretary for Trade is Shaheen Ali, while the current permanent secretary for Finance is Shiri Gounder.

He said the response to permanent secretary positions has been encouraging.

“The response is good, the numbers are always there from people interested in positions,” he said.

Interviews for the permanent secretary for Trade position are expected to take place next week or the week after, while the permanent secretary for Finance interviews are also scheduled for the same period.

Mr Rokovada also revealed that the permanent secretary for Civil Service position would be advertised by the end of this week, with interviews likely to be held in December. The role is currently held in an acting capacity by Pita Tagicakirewa.

“There is a constant recruitment mainly because of some new positions being established and also some people completing their contract,” he said.

“But we need to advertise and see whether they get reappointed or we get new people in.”

Mr Rokovada said the Public Service Commission focuses solely on Permanent Secretary appointments, as positions below that level are appointed by respective ministry permanent secretaries.

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