VACANCY NOTICE

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for appointment to the post of COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN RENEWAL

RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS

1.To manage the land holdings of the state including bays, queens chain and seabed; undertaking land and estate management for the appraisal, acquisition, disposable, lease, rental and other authorized use of crown property in compliance with the Crown Lands Act and executive action.

2.To manage assigned staff and resources to ensure work programmes are implemented in accordance with legislative and operational requirements and established labour practices.

3.Reports to the Permanent Secretary.

4.Responds to the Minister and Deputy Permanent Secretary and liaises with government agencies, donor agencies, civil society organizations, nongovernmental organizations, financial institutions, and other internal and external stakeholders on matters relating to work in progress.

DUTIES AND TASKS

1.Establishes the work programme for the Crown Lands in line with the Department’s strategic objectives, through strategic planning, consultation with stakeholders and team members and reviewing key evidence-based reports/documentation, to enable the determination of targets, milestones and deadlines.

2.Leads and manages assigned staff through target setting, continuous dialogue, mentoring, coaching and assessment of individual staff performance to ensure effective performance management.

3.Manages the Crown Lands portfolio of the state through the maintenance of maps, surveys, plans, diagrams and other related records of Crown properties (physical and electronic); and conducting property related research to ensure that state records are protected and accurately represent the Crown’s land holding.

4.Oversees the review and coordination of land development and management initiatives on Crown land through the conduct of technical analysis of proposals to determine and ensure consistency with government’s policies, land securement and development plans for the specified areas.

5.Provides technical advice on matters relating to Crown land holdings through the conduct of research, investigations and the preparation of recommendations to enable decision making.

6.Register Deeds, Notices and Leases on behalf of the Crown by countersigning and submitting the Registrar of Lands for registration to enable compliance with prescribed laws.

7.Oversees and reviews the processing of applications for the purchase, sale and lease of Crown properties through the conduct of investigations, interviews and site visits reviewing valuation reports, and obtaining feedback and input from governmental and non-governmental agencies to provide information to Cabinet for decision making and in compliance with laws and regulations.

8.Commissions surveys on behalf of the Crown, in accordance with standard operating procedures to identify boundaries, determine ownership; enable mapping and registration of Crown Lands in compliance with laws and regulations.

9.Submits proposals for the development of Crown properties to the Development Control Authority (DCA) in accordance with standard operating procedures, to obtain permission on behalf of the Crown.

10.Monitors the records of revenues for the disposal, rental, lease and other use of Crown properties in accordance with standard operating procedures to enable transparency, accountability and compliance with laws and regulations.

11.Monitors the issuance of licenses granted for land holding under Aliens (Licensing) Act in accordance with standard operating procedures to ensure adherence to conditions of approval.

12.Directs and supervises the development and maintenance of a management information system for Crown properties using prescribed procedures and policies to ensure the availability of current and reliable information for decision making and the preparation of reports.

13.Develops, implements and monitors the budget for the Unit by collaborating with the Budgeting and Finance Unit and attending budget planning meetings to enable access to funds for programme implementation, ensure the effective use of resources and to facilitate early detection and management of budget variation.

14.Prepares submission to the Cabinet of Ministers on matters relating to the Crown’s land holdings through research and analysis, dialogue and consultation with line agencies and other key stakeholders, to facilitate decision making and enable the policy development, coordination and implementation processes.

15.Supports the review of relevant legislation, policies and procedures through consultation with stakeholders and making sound recommendations that are constitutionally sound to enable legal reform and decision making.

16.Reviews and analyses correspondence and other official documents to recommend appropriate action and ensure outgoing correspondence conforms to established standards and procedures, to maintain consistency in policy advice and guidance.

17.Represents the Department on committees, conferences and meetings at the local, regional and international levels to articulate government’s policy position and foster networking and alliances.

18.Facilitates continuous learning through training, workshops, meetings and other relevant official activities by applying effective training methodologies and presentation skills to develop capacity of team members and relevant stakeholders.

19.Prepares reports outlining achievements and challenges to keep stakeholder informed, facilitate assessment of the Department’s performance and to facilitate decision-making.

20.Performs any other job-related duties as may be assigned.

CONDITIONS

1.Congenial accommodation is provided within a general administrative office.

2.Institutional support is provided through the Constitution of Saint Lucia, civil service rules and regulations, standard operating procedures, Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue, Finance (Administration) Act, Crown Lands Act, Aliens (Licensing) Act, Physical Planning and Development Act, Land Registration Act and Land Acquisition Act of Saint Lucia and supporting regulations.

3.Opportunities exist for personal development through established orientation and training programmes, as outlined in the Public Service Training and Development Policy.

4.May be required to work beyond the normal working hours.

5.Required to remain current on practices and developments in land management and administration.

6.Required to demonstrate political acuity.

7.Required to exercise integrity, confidentiality and professionalism in the conduct of duties

8.Functions in a scheduled travelling post with travel allowance in accordance with that stipulated in the terms and conditions of employment.

9.Required to own and maintain a motor vehicle for the proper performance of duties and to possess a valid driver’s license.

10.May be required to travel regionally and internationally in the conduct of duties.

11.Salary and benefits are in accordance with that stipulated in the terms and conditions of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLLS AND ABILIITES

1.Expert knowledge of the machinery of government and ability to interpret and apply its administrative policies and procedures.

2.Expert knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the provisions of the Crown Lands Act, Aliens (Licensing) Act, Physical Planning and Development Act, Land Registration Act, Land Acquisition Act of Saint Lucia and other relevant regulations and policy documents.

3.Expert knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply land and estate management theories and methodologies.

4.Expert technical knowledge of sustainable land management.

5.Expert analytical and conceptualization skills.

6.Expert leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff.

7.Expert interpersonal skills and consistently demonstrates emotional intelligence.

8.Expert negotiation and conflict resolution/medication skills.

9.Expert oral and written communication, listening and presentation skills.

10.Expert business process management, organizational and project management skills. 

11.Intermediate computer literacy skills; with the ability to manipulate software applications such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentation programmes and national geographic information system.

12.Ability to effectively develop and maintain working relationships with team members and other stakeholders.

13.Ability to manage time, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.

14.Intellectually acute, visionary, innovative and capable of translating ideas into policies.

15.Ability to exercise judgement, tact, impartiality, decisiveness and clarify in the execution of duties.

16.Ability to adapt to organizational change.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

1.Demonstrated knowledge of the machinery of government and ability to interpret and apply its administrative policies and procedures.

2.Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the provisions of the Constitution of Saint Lucia, civil service rules and regulations, Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue, and Finance (Administration) Act, departmental guidelines and standard Operating procedures and other relevant regulations and policy documents.

3.Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the provisions of the Crown Lands Act, Aliens (Licensing) Act, Physical Planning and Development Act, Land Registration Act, Land Acquisition Act of Saint Lucia and other relevant regulations and policy documents.

4.Demonstrated analytical and conceptualizations skills

5.Demonstrated leadership and management skills

6.Demonstrated interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

7.Demonstrated negotiation and mediation skills.

8.Demonstrated effectiveness of oral and written communication, listening and presentation skills.

9.Demonstrated business process management, organizational and project management skills

10.Demonstrated computer literacy skills

11.Demonstrated ability to effectively develop and maintain working relationships with team members and other stakeholders

12.Demonstrated ability to manage time, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.

13.Demonstrated ability to maintain integrity, confidentiality, tact and diplomacy in the conduct of duties

14.Demonstrated ability to complete assignments and tasks as defined by performance targets

15.Demonstrated political acuity.

16.Demonstrated ability to remain current on issues related to land and estate management.

17.Demonstrated ability to prepare and submit reports that meet established standards.

18.Demonstrated ability to adapt to organizational change.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

1.Post Graduate Diploma in Land Management and Tenure, Land Use Planning, Estate Management, Administration and Management or related field plus five years’ experience; 

OR

2.Master’s Degree in Land Management and Tenure, Land Use Planning, Estate Management, Administration and Management or a related field plus four (4) years’ experience in a post at Grade 15 or above; or four (4) years relevant professional experience;

OR

3.Bachelor’s Degree in Land and Tenure, Land Use Planning, Estate Management, Administration and Management or a related field plus Post Graduate Diploma and four (4) years experience in a post at Grade 15 or above; or four (4) years professional experience.

SALARY 

Salary is at the rate of EC$103, 194.00 per annum (Grade 19, fixed)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be made on the prescribed Government of Saint Lucia Employment Application Form and should be accompanied by certified copies of documents pertaining to qualifications, two (2) recent references and one (1) passport sized photograph along with other specified requirements.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Secretary

Public Service Commission

Sir Stanislaus James Building

The Waterfront

Castries, Saint Lucia

Applications are to reach the above address no later than September 02, 2022.           

Only suitable candidates will be acknowledged.

Please be advised that only candidates with the best qualifications and experience will be shortlisted for interviews. Therefore, candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and experience may not be considered for an interview.