Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1506016
5 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 AUGUST 2023 www.pa.org.mt PLANNING AUTHORITY The role requires to provide general office support services to the Authority, working closely with the Manager in providing administrative control over resources, provide technical advice, manage support services staff and supervise the delivery of contracted services. Successful candidates must be in possession of the following: Qualificati ons and E xperienc e Route A1 MQF 5 level Diploma in Foundation of Engineering or similar equivalent qualification. A minimum of six (6) years' experience in at least one of the following: precincts management, or works management, or maintenance of buildings, or electrical or electronics or electrical installations, or construction or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, or plumbing. In possession of ECDL or ACAD or an equivalent qualification in computer studies at MQF level 3. OR Route A2 MQF 4 Certificate in any one of the following: Electrical, or Construction Engineering, or Heating Ventilation and air-conditioning. A minimum of eight (8) years' experience in at least one of the following: precincts management, or works management, or maintenance of buildings, or electrical or electronics or electrical installations, or construction or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, or plumbing In possession of ECDL or ACAD or an equivalent qualification in computer studies at MQF level 3. OR Route A3 At least six (6) recognised qualifications at MQF Level 3 which include Maths, Maltese and English, and any one of the following: Electronics, or Electrical Installations, or Plumbing/Electrical. A minimum of ten (10) years' experience in at least one of the following:precincts management, or works management, or maintenance of buildings, or electrical or electronics or electrical installations, or construction or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning or plumbing. In possession of ECDL or ACAD or an equivalent qualification in computer studies at MQF level 3. S kills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, leadership and supervisory qualities, capable of assuming responsibility, ability to work on own initiative, record-keeping, report-writing, ability to multi-task, computer literate, ability to communicate in verbal and written Maltese and English. Candidates are to present scanned copies of all qualifications with their application together with proof of local equivalence issued by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), for any qualification(s) which are not awarded by University of Malta or MCAST. Candidates who are in possession of qualification(s) in a language other than English, are to present a translated copy of their qualification(s) in English. All certificates, the proof of local equivalence, the completed Declarations by Candidate, which can be downloaded from https:// www.pa.org.mt/en/ vacancies, and the Jobsplus Employment History, which can be downloaded from https://jobsplus.gov.mt/, are to be presented with the application, by the closing date for submissions. Candidates who are 3rd country nationals, are to have a valid working permit by the closing date for submissions of the call, which permit is to be presented with their application. The position carries a starting annual salary and allowances of €28,990, a performance bonus and other benefits. The above post is for an indefinite period. Interested candidates are advised to submit their application, by sending an application via email on jobapplications@pa.org.mt together with a detailed curriculum vitae in pdf format by not later than 26th August 2023 to: The Human Resources Manager Planning Authority Ref: Senior Support Services Officer Jobsplus Permit No. 1 37/2022 Further information is available on our website: www.pa.org.mt/en/ vacancies JoiN ouR TEAm SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICER Career OppOrtunity vacancy land sssso.indd 1 07/08/2023 11:12:46 'We have been left in limbo' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 However, while the previ- ous two exercises were closed and injustices rectified through back-dated promotions that led to back-dated pay and pension adjustments, the third exercise remains uncertain. "We have been left in limbo as to the outcome of our grievance, and if justified, how it will be addressed," one former army of- ficer, who was granted anonym- ity to speak freely, told MaltaTo- day. "The situation is frustrating and many are angry because govern- ment has so far failed to keep its promise to resolve the issue." Dalli had concluded his investi- gations into the claims and pre- sented the findings to the gov- ernment in June 2018 before he was made head of the Corradino Correctional facility. According to several uncon- firmed reports from people privy to the exercise, Dalli had found that around 65% of the claims were justified and made recommendations to rectify the injustices. Most complaints con- cerned promotions that were denied, resulting in thousands of euros in compensation back-dat- ed to when the alleged injustice happened. But those who filed a complaint have never been informed of the outcome with some fearing they will be treated in a different man- ner than those who had their cases determined by the first two boards. "People are expecting to be treated in the same way as other injustices were handled, which for most would mean a hefty compensation settlement and possibly a pension adjustment," another complainant who spoke on condition of anonymity said. The ex-soldier added that a ru- mour is doing the rounds that government could be consider- ing a one-off financial settlement, irrespective of what would have originally been due had the in- dividual been awarded a promo- tion. "I hope that justice is done by taking into account the time pe- riod for which I was denied a pro- motion and the relevant missed pay, and also have my pension adjusted accordingly. I hope that justice is served and we are not offered peanuts," he said. So far, the complainants remain in the dark and a reply sent to MaltaToday by the Home Affairs Ministry does little to suggest the matter will be resolved shortly. The ministry's answer is almost identical to a reply sent two years ago to another newspaper that reported on the delay to settle the injustice claims. "This government is commit- ted to continue addressing the injustices experienced by AFM personnel due to the actions of the previous governments. All applicants shall be duly informed of the findings of the board once the process is concluded, includ- ing the action to be taken, as pro- posed by the board," a spokesper- son for the ministry said. He added the government al- ready showed its commitment to enhance the AFM person- nel's working conditions. "This commitment was transmitted through an unprecedented col- lective agreement after years of frozen working conditions. Al- so note, that in the last months, another agreement was signed which will compensate for the additional hours worked in rela- tion to their duties." It remains unclear when this matter will be resolved but Gen- eral Workers' Union section sec- retary responsible for disciplined forces, Theo Vella, told MaltaTo- day the union is pressuring the government for a quick resolu- tion. "Last year we were promised that within one year of the elec- tion the matter would be resolved but this has not been the case and the GWU is putting pressure on the government to announce the findings and the relevant com- pensation due in those cases that are justified," Vella said. The injustices boards set up by the Labour government were criticised by then Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino in his Om- budsplan for 2016. He had ex- pressed concern that these ad hoc grievances boards lacked autonomy and independence, did not function in a transparent manner, and did not apply rules in a uniform manner. He also warned the boards may even lead to injustices and dis- crimination against third parties. One of the worrying cases flagged at the time by the Om- budsman was that of a complaint about an alleged injustice that had taken place while Malta was still a colony and the army was still part of the British army. Said Pullicino had said other legal avenues to seek redress for alleged injustice existed such as the Ombudsman that ensured the process was autonomous, in- dependent and transparent.