Describe your sector in a nutshell
What are the different career opportunities/jobs available in your sector?
Our current mission statement is “to provide professional Human Resource services to His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar, the Public Service and the general public whom we serve, through solid guidance, the application of best practice ethos, strategic vision, leadership and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.” As one can imagine this is a very wide description and the career opportunities within our department, whilst quite varied are mostly clerical in nature. This does not, however, mean that other opportunities are unavailable to team members as, even though the available grades may be Clerical in title, the actual work done by many grades is in essence not necessarily so.
Our currently filled roles include the following:
- Administrative Assistant x9
- Administrative Officer x8
- Clerk/Word Processor x1
- Executive Officer x9
- GDC Grade 3 x1
- Higher Executive Officer x7
- Senior Executive Officer x3
- Senior Officer (Human Resources Manager) x1
- Welfare Officer x1
What is interesting/ fun about your sector/ industry? Why should a young person want to work there?
A career in Human Resources is a highly rewarding journey for persons who enjoy a varied working day and an ever changing working environment. As our mission statement mentions, in our department we are here to serve the general public and the Public Service meaning that we have the opportunity to help people and other Government Departments, Agents and Authorities and Government Owned Companies. This is highly fulfilling as one is exposed to “both sides of the coin” and can have the confidence that, no matter what task we are asked to complete, the end goal is always the same, to benefit our service users.
A key and fundamental aspect of our work is that it directly affects persons in a positive way making it a highly rewarding career which may range from welfare support, policy guidance, training, recruitment, occupational health, pensions and staff management. Basically no two matters or working days are ever the same, highlighting the need for an open minded and flexible approach to work. We are truly the embodiment of a dynamic and adaptable department and the team reflects this.
In the words of a few of our members:
“I really enjoy the fact that we are always on the go in this department, there is always something to do” (Executive Officer in the HR Department).
“What I most enjoy about working here is the people I share my work with, my colleagues are a professional and highly dynamic and motivated group who adapt and rise to any challenge presented to them” (Administrative Officer (ag) in the HR Department).
“I love the fast passed nature of the work which I am involved with in HR, on a daily basis you work on many different matters in a high pressure environment” (Higher Executive Officer (ag) in the HR Department).
What is demand looking like in your sector? How do you think this will change in the future?
As long as there are physical persons employed within the Public Sector there will always be a need for HR Practitioners. Even now that the Public Service is transitioning over to a digital management service, HR practitioners will continue to be required to verify the information inputted.
What skills and qualities are desired in a candidate joining your sector?
As a result of the variety of work and dynamism within the Human Resources Department a prospective HR team member needs to be adaptable, focused, disciplined, empathetic and highly motivated to succeed in all aspects relating to work related personal interactions. A prospective HR team member must also be dynamic so as to adapt to an ever changing working environment and tending to the needs of employees of all skill levels as well as being highly organised so as to meet emergency requests made of the department.
What is the approximate salary range people can earn?
The earning potential within the Human Resources Department is, as is the case with its duties, very diverse and rewarding. As with all Public Service departments, salaries per grade are based on job responsibilities and years of seniority within a specified grade. This is calculated by the application of a prescribed scale which is set down by HM Government of Gibraltar and in most instances increase on a yearly basis until the highest point is attained, these salary scales are periodically reviewed and amended as necessary. As at April of 2023, the current salary for each grade within the HR Department are as follows:
- Administrative Assistants and Clerk Word Processors are both on an 11-point scale commencing on £19,199 and ascending to £26,066.
- Administrative Officers are on an 11-point scale commencing on £22,481 and ascending to £30,982.
- Executive Officers and GDC Grade 3 Officers are on a 9-point commencing on £29,527 and ascending to £38,699.
- Higher Executive Officers are on an 8-point scale commencing on £36,877 and ascending to £47,244.
- Senior Executive Officers are on an 8-point scale commencing on £45,924 and ascending to £57,921.
- Senior Officers are on a 5-point salary scale commencing on £60,430 and ascending to £79,237.
What career pathways are available for a young person wanting join your sector? (University and non-university routes)
The Human Resources Department recruitment method is via a direct public notification of vacancy and whilst higher and further education are encouraged and looked upon favourably, they are not obligatory for clerical grades. This process involves the publication of the aforementioned notification of vacancy, which is open to the general public and existing government employees for a defined period of time. During this period prospective applicants must complete the designated application form and submit this, together with documentary proof of compliance with the minimum entry requirements and a police vetting form to the Human Resources Department for the attention of the Human Resources Manager. Occasionally, and dependant on the grade applied for, applicants may then also be invited to sit an entry exam and following the successful completion of such will be invited to an interview for the vacant post. Upon completion, the applicants may then be offered an appointment, held in reserve or found unsuccessful.
The recruitment method described above does vary slightly when one considers promotions to higher grades which, whilst sharing similarities with the recruitment for entry-level grades, differs significantly in one main aspect. The promotion process, whilst still being advertised and needed to be applied for, differs from the standard recruitment process in that a different form needs to be completed and more importantly are only available internally for existing public servants only.
Should you be interested in applying for a career as a public servant or indeed a human resources practitioner, it is important to work on your interpersonal skills and most importantly to monitor HM Government of Gibraltar’s website as well as Gibraltar’s official newspapers, which is where HM Government of Gibraltar advertises all external vacancies.
Any advice you would give to a young person wanting to join your sector?
We would encourage any young person who may be interested in a career in Human Resources practice to avail themselves of any and all academic and interpersonal training and development opportunities which are available and feasible. This, whilst beneficial and fulfilling in respect of ones own personal development, would also place prospective applicants in good stead for, not only a career in HR but also in all walks of life.
