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A BUSY local charity is seeking a new Chief Executive as it changes its management structure to deliver support to Islanders in increasingly challenging times.
Citizens Advice Guernsey is separating its strategic and operational leadership in order to focus on its future direction as well as day-to-day advice services. The current CEO Mrs Kerry Ciotti explained: ‘Over the past couple of years we have been dealing with some existential threats to the charity, including the security of our funding streams. At the same time we’ve seen a rise in the complexity of the problems for which Islanders are seeking advice. The upshot is that we have to focus on the scope and quality of our services while also trying to secure our own future. There’s only so much you can do with the equivalent of four part-time staff, so we’re looking for someone to help take the charity forward in an increasingly crowded sector.’
Citizens Advice Guernsey handles an average of 10,000 enquiries each year, covering such areas as housing, debt and employment, as well as consumer, legal and family affairs. It currently helps clients to manage debts totalling around £3m per year. Mrs Ciotti commented: ‘Citizens Advice Guernsey provides a vital service, helping around eight percent of Islanders each year with the problems they face while also working to shape government policy (see note 1), so the whole community has a stake in this charity’s future. That’s why we are changing our staffing model to build greater strategic capacity. Demand for our services is set to rise, as new challenges such as inflation start to bite, so we are planning for the future.’
The new CEO role will be a paid, full-time position, supported by a Chief Operating Officer. Mrs Ciotti, who has been with the charity for 14 years, explained: ‘I shall move to the new role of COO, focussing on service provision and development along with support to our volunteer Advisers. The CEO can then lead the charity using their vision, energy and networks to tackle some of the real challenges that the organisation itself is facing.’
Mrs Ciotti said this change is an important development and paid tribute to a local recruitment agency for its assistance: ‘This is a key moment for Citizens Advice Guernsey and we realised we’d need help to find the right person. As a charity our funds are very limited but thankfully OSA Recruitment stepped in. We’re very grateful for their expertise and support.’
Mrs Ciotti added: ‘This is an exciting time for us. There’s a lot at stake but also an exciting opportunity for the right person to have a very positive impact on the future of our community here in the Bailiwick, leading a really terrific team of volunteers.’
For more details contact Nick Graham at OSA on nick@osa.gg
