It’s non-job time again and many of you have sent in nominations this week which is always appreciated!
Unfortunately, this week we’ve been ‘spoilt for choice’ with a whole raft of dubious vacancies going up for grabs. Thanks to those of you who spotted the Partnership Support Officer advertised by Ashfield District Council and the Breast Feeding Support Co-ordinator at NE Lincolnshire Council, but we can raise you with an Athletics Network Development Officer (Barnsley Council) and two Enviro-Crime Enforcement Officers (Waltham Forest).
Once again, it’s been a close call this week, but pipped-to-the-post and in second place is a position at Leicestershire County Council (who want to save £9.9m and are making job cuts left, right and centre) for a Smokefree (Tobacco Control) Alliance Co-ordinator on between £29,295 - £41, 043pa! Apparently, this post will “contribute to a reduction in smoking prevalence” but if you’re a local taxpayer I wouldn’t expect to be presented with any evidence of this for your £40k investment...
The winner this week though is a contemptible waste of money in the context of public finances, redundancies and the recent recession, no surprises then that it’s being advertised anonymously (and expensively) through a recruitment agency on behalf of a public sector organisation, but the Guardian category quite clearly states that the ‘industry’ is Central Government:
“Director of Communications
£80000 - £120000 per annum + benefits
My client is looking for a Director of Communications to lead on the communications and stakeholder management of the organisation, necessary for the successful delivery of its strategy and the enhancement of their reputation and influence.
The role reports directly to the chief executive and is responsible for a large division, as a member of the executive team, you will normally be required to attend Board meetings. You will have responsibility for the development of positive senior stakeholder relationships, (Government, WAG, Whitehall etc), and works closely with the Chief Executive and the Board to jointly achieve this. You will lead all aspects of the organisation's interactions with the media, both proactive and reactive and be responsible for ensuring the organisations reputation is maintained and enhanced.
The successful candidate will have a degree level qualification or equivalent along with experience of influencing within Government at senior levels, having board level support and interaction and pro-active media management skills. The ideal candidate would also have successful implementation of policy related strategies within a public sector environment and strong economic literacy. The role will be based in various locations around the UK, so the successful applicant will need to be willing to travel on a regular basis”.
This is an enormous salary, and when we’re being told that the axe must swing is more spin really the best use of our money?