Career development in a Caribbean nation: when hard work and dedication are not enough 2004-55.1

The Director of St Oradsab’s Office of Statistics and Records (SOOR), Mrs Waterford, battled to contain her feelings of exasperation as she listened to Ms Lola Kato, a long-serving and hard-working clerical officer. Lola was distressed that she had not been appointed as the new Statistical Assistant. Lola revealed between sobs that she had hoped to be appointed to the position, despite a lack of quantitative skills. That morning, 5 September 2001, Mrs Waterford realised she had to confront the challenges of recruitment, selection and succession planning that had plagued the department for some time. She wondered how she could convince the Public Service Commission, which appointed clerical staff to all government departments, that, for her specialist technical department, she should select both clerical and professional staff.

This case raises the difficulties associated with centralised appointments and limited career opportunities within a department of technical specialists.