Info Commissioner Won’t Need to Speak English

We have long suspected that politicians speak a different language and now it appears the island’s new Info Commissioner could too.

Current commissioner Iain McDonald has quit citing a reduction in the office’s budget and insufficient staffing.

Advertising the job on Indeed, JMC Legal Recruitment Ltd said the £80,000 to £95,000 a year job is initially for a six month contract, but English is not required.

It said: ‘This role comes with flexibility/hybrid working. It would best suit someone who is able to travel to/relocate to the Isle of Man. (during the induction period, presence would be essential to bed yourself in).’

Adding to the bizarre posting, the application closing date, July 17 is also the date the new person would be expected to take on the role.

Requirements for the role include experience of working in data protection, experience of working in GDPR and on freedom of information, a ‘modern’ approach and excellent communication skills.

However, the job does come with a ‘flexible language requirement’ as English is not required.

Reacting to the advert, deputy Info Commissioner Nicola Whiting said: ‘When you think it couldn’t possibly get any worse.’

Announcing Mr McDonald’s departure, the Info Commissioner office said: ‘Whilst the Office has taken on considerably greater responsibilities since 2015, including becoming arbitrator under the Freedom of Information Act and numerous additional tasks and functions under the Applied GDPR, resourcing, both financial and staffing, has not been sufficient to manage the ever increasing work load, nor to enable all tasks to be fulfilled.

‘Despite actively seeking additional funding for an extra member of staff, the existing budget was reduced in the latest budget round. This has had a devastating effect on the office staff and was the direct cause of the Commissioner stepping down.

‘At present, the future of the Office is uncertain and we apologise for any delays in the provision of responses or conclusion of complaints as this is due to the large volume of work currently being handled.’