Services Commission head reflects on challenges

Jacqueline Hinkson, who will be stepping down as head of the Office of the Services Commissions (OSC) on February 1, recalls her time as fulfilling and challenging.

Hinkson, the chief personnel officer who has been the head of the department since February 1, 2006, said her years of service have been rewarding and were something she felt passionately about.

"I enjoyed my time, it was time well spent and I would do it again," she told The Gleaner.

Many challenges

Hinkson said that though there were many challenges, she gave credit to her colleagues and members of her church family who she said have been a tower of strength during her tenure.

"There were many challenges and the work got really overwhelming at times, sometimes certain decisions that had to be made and not being able to explain to the people why those decisions were made because of the nature of the job sometimes posed complex challenges but we just had to do the job," she said.

"I had very strong support from the different stakeholders, members of the commission itself and my church family especially. They lifted me up in prayer and gave me words of encouragement in times when the work got a bit heavy; they are indeed a major contributor of this milestone," she said.

"All in all, I had a great time and I love my job," she declared.

Among the service commissions that make up the OSC are the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission and the Judicial Services Commission.

The OSC is geared towards developing and maintaining an effective and efficient human resource system through, among other duties, selecting candidates for first-time appointment in the government service and placing public officers according to their qualification and the requirements for posts.

The OSC is also responsible for administering disciplinary action against public officers where required.