HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Government has launched a search for Bermuda’s first freedom of information supremo, offering a salary of almost US$180,000 to the successful candidate.
An advertisement for the post of Information Commissioner has been issued by the Cabinet Office, and anyone interested in the job, initially for five years, has until October 1 to reply.
The new Information Commissioner will be appointed by Governor George Fergusson, in accordance with the Public Access to Information (PATI) Act 2010, which is due to come into force in its entirety on April 1 next year.
On that date, members of the public will gain the right to ask for information held by publicly funded bodies and the Information Commissioner will hear appeals related to the legislation when requests are refused.
Venous Memari, managing director of the Centre for Justice, said the advertisement was cause for celebration.
“I’m actually ecstatic that it looks like they are now going to implement the act,” she said, adding that the centre planned to issue a guide next year for the public on how to make freedom of information requests.
The advert for Information Commissioner asks: “Are you looking for the opportunity to participate in a ground-breaking regime in Bermuda? Do you want to take on a high-profile role focused on enhancing good governance?”
It states that the post holder will “promote public access to information … including by raising public awareness and understanding of the rights conferred by the act and by providing guidance to public authorities with regard to the obligations imposed on them by the act.
“The Information Commissioner will be committed to ensuring good governance and fairness and equity in the treatment of those seeking access to information.” The salary for the job — an independent, statutory position funded by government and initially appointed for five years — is US$179,572 a year.
Applicants need a degree in law, public administration, management, political science or similar and must have at least ten years experience in management.
The appointment of an Information Commissioner has long been promised by government.
In January 2012, when the Progressive Labour Party was still in power, a spokesman said then that “the PATI office has been established and an office location has been identified. Recruitment action for the Information Commissioner and key staff is scheduled for the first quarter of 2012.
“One of the first tasks of the Information Commissioner will be to assess the general state of preparedness for PATI.”
The One Bermuda Alliance gained power at the end of 2012 and has pushed to get PATI up and running.
