TERMS OF REFERENCE

Head of Planning & Development Control

and Chief Planning Officer

Date: May 2018

1.Background

1.1 The island of St Helena is an internally self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom located in the South Atlantic approximately 4,000 miles from the UK. The Government comprises a Governor (who is appointed by the Crown) an Executive Council, which has the general control and direction of Government, and a Legislative Council. The Governor retains responsibility for internal security, external affairs, defence, the public service, finance and shipping.

1.2 The island’s population is around 4,500 and it has a typical small island economy with a high import dependency, a narrow economic base, a large public sector (around 790 staff), and significant outward labour migration. St Helena receives UK Government financial assistance to support recurrent and capital expenditure as part of their obligation to ensure that the reasonable needs of the population are met.

1.3 The 10 Year Plan for St Helena captures the following National Goals:

Altogether Safer

Altogether Healthier

Altogether Better for Children and Young People

Altogether Greener

Altogether Wealthier

The plan will improve joined up thinking, focus, and crucially reflect the views of the community. This can be found here:

1.4 The Prospectus for Change, launched in December 2015, is a three year plan which sets out St Helena Government’s Goals and Strategies for making the public service a great place to work, while ensuring customers experience the best possible service. This can be found here:

1.5 The vision and mission that has been agreed for the Public Service and which will be incorporated in future plans and strategies are as follows:

Vision – A great place to work and do business with

Mission – Provide Services that are responsive to the needs and expectations of the people of St Helena, by taking account of their views in decisions on the design, delivery and performance of services, and by working with our colleagues to create an environment that encourages everyone to do their best.

1.6Commercial flights to St Helena commenced on 14 October 2017. It is hoped that the tourism activity resulting from this will significantly enhance St Helena’s economic prospects and have a dramatic impact on the island community, bringing a period of accelerated social and economic change. Achievement of the Goals and Strategic Objectives will require sound management and transformation of the public sector to make it a professional, modern, and flexible organisation able to initiate and respond to change.

1.7SHG is implementing a modernisation programme that will enable the Public Service to improve its delivery of the government’s developmental objectives. Central to this programme has been the re-structuring of Government functions and directorates. There are currently five directorates reporting to the Chief Secretary who is the head of the Service; Education and Employment, Health, Safeguarding, Environment & Natural Resources and Corporate Services. The Police Service reports to the Governor.

A.PLANNING AND BUILDING ORGANISATION

  1. The Planning Building Control Division forms part of the Environment and Natural Resources Directorate (ENRD) of St Helena Government (SHG). It advises the Land Development Control Authority (LDCA), appointed by the Governor, in determining the majority of development applications and it advises the Government's elected Executive Council (Governor-in-Council) on planning policy and major development applications.
  1. The Division comprises this post (Head of Planning and Development Control and appointed Chief Planning Officer), overseeing the Trainee Planning Officer as well as Building Inspector and Deputy Building Inspector (also GIS Practitioner), supported by the Planning Secretary who is also the Secretary to the LDCA.

B.PLANNING AND BUILDING REGULATION

  1. The function of the Planning Section is to regulate Land Use and Development on the Island through the powers and duties of the Land Planning and Development Control Ordinance of 2013 and the Building Control Ordinance of 2001 (currently under Review).
  1. As part of the agreement with DFID for funding the Airport, a revised planning system has been introduced, designed to be transparent and policyled, responding to environmental impact assessment and encouraging development whilst conserving the natural and built heritage. A new Land Development Control Plan was adopted in April 2012 and a revised Land Planning and Development Control Ordinance were enacted in 2013. Both are designed in anticipation of an increase in number and complexity of development proposals arising from the opportunities that the airport will bring.
  1. The Building Control function of the Section regulates and monitors construction standards under the Building Control Ordinance, through the Building Regulations. The Regulations are currently under revision to raise standards, respond to more complex structures and to facilitate and encourage innovative techniques including green technologies for a sustainable future.

C.OBJECTIVES OF THE POST

  1. To manage and lead the Planning and Building Control Sectionswith day-to-day tasks.
  1. To lead on the Processing of Planning Applications and related requests.
  1. To maintain a professional and transparent Planning and Building Control Service for the Island, measurable against customer satisfaction responses.
  1. To provide advice to Applicants and SHG (including the Land Development Control Authority to whom you will report) relating to Planning Processes and Planning Policies.
  1. To provide advice to Applicants and SHG (including the Land Development Control Authority to whom you will report) in order to protect and enhance the Island's built heritage and natural environment with the aim to bring conservation in to the mainstream of decision making.

D.SCOPE OF WORK

  1. As Head of Planning and Development Control, you will be based in St Helena to manage the Planning and Building Control Division and advice the Authorities for the said period.
  1. You will furthermore perform as Chief Planning Officer, preparing reports with policy based recommendations and advice (provided in a prescribed format) and preparing presentations (in PowerPoint format) to the Land Development Control Authority and where applicable (as described) to Governor-in-Council.
  1. Responsible for staff line management, development and training; providing on-the-job training to staff within the section.
  1. Responsible for maintaining the section’s budget to ensure that these are up to date on a monthly basis in liaison with the Directorate’s Finance Manager.
  1. Site Visits, interpretation of the said Legislation and Policies as well as the ability to lead on the development of as well as interpretation of data from the Geographic Information System(GIS) will form part of your assessment for Applications.
  1. You will consult with key stakeholders, including Government and non-Government Organisations and the private sector and the Island’s citizens, to implement policies and direct decisions based on the said policies.
  1. You will work, where and when required to do so, closely with Consultant(s) who are appointed to conduct Strategic Planning for the Island and as such are tasked with Reviewing of existing Policies, Development Plans, etc. including the Rupert’s Development Plan, Review of the Land Development Control Plan, Draft Building Regulations, Jamestown Management Plan, Historic Environmental Record, etc.
  1. You will work closely with the appointed Consultant(s), to lead the development of the GIS System;
  1. You will be required to do a handover to the succeeding Chief Planning Officer to ensure continuity within the section.

E.As Head of Planning and Development Control and Chief Planning Officer, you will be required to:

  1. Continue providing leadership and training to the Trainee Planning Officer in order to develop him as part of the succession plan of SHG for the Planning and Building Division.
  1. Continue to provide leadership and imparting knowledge to the Building Inspectors and GIS Practitioner;
  1. Have a good working knowledge of the full range of skills necessary to manage and develop the Planning and Building Control Division and be able to provide appropriate advice, mentor and train staff;
  1. Evaluate and advise upon Development Applications for the Land Development Control Authority and Governor-in-Council when required; and
  1. Provide professional support, including as an intermediary between SHG/Development Control Authority and developers, to appraise development proposals and negotiate appropriate planning conditions and formal agreements in line with adopted Land Development Control Plan policies.

F.QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Head of Planning and Building Control Division and appointed Chief Planning Officer, will be expected to have the following:

Essential:

Assessed by
Application Form / Interview / Assessment
Qualifications:
a)Minimum of a first degree in town planning accredited by the RTPI or equivalent.
b)Relevant experience in town planning, conservation and building construction
c)Membership of a relevant professional institute / √
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Relevant Experience:
a)Proven development and development control experience (minimum 5 years) including team management in public or private sector planning with strong and broad knowledge of legal, policy and procedural planning systems
b)Experience in building construction and Building Control policy and procedure
c)Experience of building conservation at policy and implementation level
d)Experience of drafting and preparing development plans and policies including organisation of public participation in their preparation
e)Experience of advising lay members of Authorities and boards and advising the public, coordinating work of other technical personnel and training staff
f)A track record of achievements in the above fields
g)Understanding of the statutory planning process and the development of public policy and its impact on the public
h)Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with all levels of staff and the public and make presentations to these groups
i)Ability to plan, allocate and progress work, manage time and meet target deadlines Competency in computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets and databases
j)Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems and modern planning processes
k)Have the ability to use Powerpoint presentations
l)An ability to provide programme leadership; be self-motivated and able to work independently; and to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions
m)The ability to adapt to living in the public gaze in a small close-knit community with sensitivity to local standards, values and customs
n)Enthusiasm for the task and an ability to inspire and encourage others
o)Promoting environmental education and awareness / √
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Desirable:

Assessed by
Application form / Interview / Assessment
Qualifications:
a)Post graduate qualifications in related disciplines
Experience:
a)Experience and understanding of working in an historic environment and with tourism
b)Commercial experience working in the private sector
c)Experience of small Island Development

G.OUTPUTS, TIMING AND REPORTING

  1. REPORTING: The Head of Planning and Development Control and Chief Planning Officer will report to the Director of Environment and Natural Resources (ENRD) and advise the Land Development Control Authority (LDCA) and Governor-in-Council (where required).
  1. The Head of Planning and Development Control and Chief Planning Officer shall provide to the Director of ENRD, quarterly reports on progress. The outputs, and key performance indicators to be agreed with the Director of ENRD not more than three months after arrival on Island.
  1. The post will be for a period of three years. Performance will be measured with respect to the Directorate’s overall performance in service delivery, increases in operational effectiveness and efficiency. A probationary report will be completed after 6 months.

H.COMPETENCIES: Under the SHG Competency Framework, this post holder is required to have the competencies as outlined below.

Professional Development

  • Requirements forContinuous Professional Development met and when necessary submitted to Professional Institute in order to continue recognition of professional status.

Planning and Delivery of Work

  • Structures business or service unit to deliver key objectives and obtain and allocate resources.
  • Defines a balanced set of targets and measures aligned with delivery plans.

Analysis and Use of Information

  • Identifies trends from complex or conflicting data.
  • Takes steps to address the root causes of highly complex problems.
  • Develops new policy and procedures.

Decision Making

  • Shapes new policies and sets long-term objectives.
  • Understands the wider strategic environment to make appropriate resource decisions.
  • Strategically processes the impact of decisions.
  • Determines results which are aligned to strategic decisions.
  • Ensures decisions are evidence-based drawing on available knowledge and past experience.

Working with Others

  • Manages relationships with key stakeholders by utilising a high level of understanding of own and other’s behaviours.
  • Develops relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Influences key stakeholders on issues relevant to the organisation.
  • Creates an environment which will enable delivery of shared policy outcomes.

Communication

  • Promotes communication across the organisation.
  • Negotiates to reconcile individual competing priorities.
  • Communicates the organisation’s priorities.
  • Summarises complex information in an effective manner.

Influencing and Persuading

  • Influences the organisation’s strategy by utilising internal and external resources.
  • Delivers influential advice and briefings.
  • Focuses on outcomes irrespective of the source of the challenge.
  • Sets strategies to support a diverse workforce.

Dealing with Change

  • Supports individuals in their team through periods of change.
  • Listens and responds to constructive feedback.
  • Initiates new ways of doing things.
  • Recognises and deals with obstacles to change.
  • Promotes goals or new initiatives to others.

Continuous Improvement

  • Keeps up to date with developments that affect SHG and anticipates what may affect it in the future.
  • Creates an environment which allows people to improve the way they work.
  • Creates an environment where employees and colleagues work to improve the way things are done.

Managing Resources

  • Ensures appropriate resources and levels of capability to deliver to plan
  • Uses management information to monitor/control resources.
  • Supports initiatives for new and more efficient use of resources.
  • Gains respect and credibility from team members through effective delegation, coaching and development.

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