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‘I have been acting for almost 4 years’ - Michelle Donovan-Stevens

- Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office David D. Archer trying to shift the blame but never addressed the confirmation of his own Ag. Director of Human Resources
Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office David D. Archer during the 2014 SFC deliberations never addressed the confirmation of his own Ag. Director of Human Resources Michelle Donovan-Stevens, who has been acting for almost four years. Photo: VINO.
Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald also has a say in the matter as the Human Resources Department falls under her portfolio. Photo: VINO
Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald also has a say in the matter as the Human Resources Department falls under her portfolio. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - One would think that the Human Resources Department of the Government of the Virgin Islands would have set an example on the issue of acting appointments. However, this is not the case.

The Department Head Mrs. Michelle Donovan-Stevens has been acting as the Human Resources Director for almost four years.

Mrs. Donovan-Stevens revealed this while her Department was before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee where they were examining the 2014 Draft Budget Estimates.

It was in response to a question at the Standing Finance Committee’s (SFC) deliberation put forward by the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton who asked Mrs. Donovan-Stevens how long she has been acting in her post. To this question the officer answered indicating that she had been acting in her position for almost four years.

The Ag. Director of Human Resources also told the committee that her office relies on recommendations from Heads of Departments and Permanent Secretaries for officers in the civil service to be confirmed to become permanent and pensionable to their post.

She said, “This was usually granted after a one-year probationary period.” Mrs. Donovan-Stevens in responding to a question from the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE added that, “after successfully completing the probationary period, an individual could be confirmed based on the Permanent Secretary/Head of Department’s recommendation.”

David Archer tried to shift blame without addressing Ag. Director’s confirmation

So in other words it is clear that her own confirmation has not occurred because of lack of positive recommendation from her own Permanent Secretary (PS) David D. Archer and Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald who also has a say in the matter as the Human Resources Department falls under her portfolio.

For his part Mr. Archer, who has never acted a day as a PS but instead was confirmed directly to the post, claims that it was a serious topic and that they had co-mingled different types of reasons why officers could not or would not be confirmed.

He also told the SFC that the Department of Human Resources sent out notifications to Permanent Secretaries about persons who were eligible, but had not received confirmation.  However, Mr. Archer never told the Committee if he himself had responded to those letters in regard to his own Ag. Director of Human Resources.

Mr. Archer also suggested that perhaps they could be given the power to call upon Department Heads or Permanent Secretaries to find out why persons had not been confirmed, but again shifted to other Heads of Department and PS but never took responsibility on Mrs. Donovan-Stevens’ matter.

The PS in the Deputy Governor’s Office also suggested that the list of non-confirmed officers in the civil service could be sent to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to have an input in the matter; however he very well knows that the PSC only acts on recommendations before the body.

Territorial Member Honourable Archibald C. Christian told the SFC that he believed “no one should be acting in a position for more than two years.”

Morale in the civil service is at an all-time low because of political victimization, unfair treatment of civil servants, lack of tools to work with and blatant violation of their rights following the 2011 elections, with jobs based on politics not merit and officers not receiving their full increments. Many have also cited the long years of acting in posts as a contributor to the low morale.

The post of Director of Human Resources is a government job with a salary range of $68,764-$100,744 in Grade 18.

38 Responses to “‘I have been acting for almost 4 years’ - Michelle Donovan-Stevens”

  • Shorty (21/02/2014, 14:45) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mr. Archer will never answer directly why Mrs. Donovan- Stevens has been acting as Director of Human Resources because Mr. Archer still is holding that official post as Director to be quiet frank. He is the only PS that makes more than some of our current sitting government ministers put together. He set his own salary when he was Director of Human Resources and we still wondering why Mrs. Stevens after four years has not been confirmed simple the job is already taken by the PS.
    • alpine (21/02/2014, 18:10) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      That is the gospel truth and here talking piss across his face. He and his boss is the same thing none to say come out but don't forget you have to be in the masons or the lodge ok!
  • Rat (21/02/2014, 14:45) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
    well saw bow tie got caught
  • Eh? (21/02/2014, 14:49) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply

    Com'on man D...d! You shot up to the top with one of the highest salaries in the space of no time just because of your brotherhood but others have to go through this long acting career like they in Hollywood and I haven't seen a movie staring these people as yet.

    The only movie I'm seeing are is the one with these ministers going from bad to worst. Then these questions are being asked in standing finance by the same people who have to approve them so they know the answers to the questions already.

    This is just another form of control by playing mind games with the hard working public servants of this country.

    • The one (21/02/2014, 16:03) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      You know, you are so right, these ministers coming in this SFC and asking questions like they so innocent and have no knowledge, what's the purpose for this SFC anyway, waste of time, its just a dam pretend, they are in government, they suppose to bake a cake, for what ever reasons they didn't bake it, now they get together and call them selves SFC and asking why the cake was not baked, does that make any sense, strupssssssssssssss.
    • @Eh (23/02/2014, 12:39) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Seems you know very little about who runs the civil service. The ministers cannot place persons in positions. It's the PSC, HR and the Governor..
  • Joc (21/02/2014, 15:07) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I dont care what anyone says, The Dep Gov and her sidekick the PS are behind why Donovan has not been appointed fully in the Post.
  • Acting the fool (21/02/2014, 15:39) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mrs. Michelle Donovan-Stevens i blamr you, you actign the fool. after a year you didnt get the post, after 2 years you didnt get he post, so for fun you gav governemtn two more years???? Then if they tell you to be the assistant i am sure you will be upset.
  • staff (21/02/2014, 15:54) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too much bad minded per sec
  • Boo (21/02/2014, 17:51) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    She isn't the first and won't be the last to get the long shaft of victimisation in the Civil Service
  • Hmm (21/02/2014, 18:10) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Some ayo disliked my comment I made bout the new comfirmation at Water & Sewage when I said:

    "When yuh know the ropes, yuh get what yuh want when yuh want it. Some people acting for donkey yeeeeeaaaars and can get confirm. The wind ain even blow gainst her fire and is a dunn deal. Well sah, one thing I know fuh sure, GOD AIN SLEEPING. Justice will be served."
  • Country Gal (21/02/2014, 18:11) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor Ms. Stevens... Swimming with Sharks without the necessary protective gears....hmmmm
  • billyb (21/02/2014, 18:12) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    ...these are the same demons yuh have to share a pew with when you go to church on Sunday.
  • civil servant (21/02/2014, 18:34) Like (26) Dislike (3) Reply
    Archer what you do not want for yourself do not do to others remember you have two children
  • Country Gal (21/02/2014, 18:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Halleluyah .... Amen...Thats why Sunday does met me home in my bed.
    • Country Man (21/02/2014, 21:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can I join you?!
    • Sammy (21/02/2014, 21:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hi 5, i ain going to church for these demons roud the place to brainwash me from words that are not of God... Sunday is my day to rest my tired, over worked a$$
    • Boo (22/02/2014, 20:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can I get an "Amen"

      These same devils does want to rub elbows with you on Sunday then bend you over and shaft you Monday to Friday without mercy.
  • cay (21/02/2014, 20:27) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    The civil service is gone to the dogs under archer and inez
  • ABC (21/02/2014, 21:01) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    To put it simple, Trusting the Bo tie man is like trusting a cobra. It is only a matter of time before he strikes out and tarnishes some body"s reputation. Deputy Governor, transfer the man. don't wait until someone takes matters into their own hands.
    • DEFG (24/02/2014, 08:32) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      All you got the wrong man. Archer cannot act on his own. Go to he source. DG is the head. Ask her why she still got Michelle acting. Keep off Archer de man!
  • Concerned (21/02/2014, 21:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Four years. Is that a long time to act? We'll I can triple that. Now that is a long time. Not worrying just will continue to work hard. Mrs. Stephens knows about these injustices as well. I guess we are not good enough to confirm, just do the work for years and years. Now she knows how it feels. When it gets to eight see how if feels then. Seems I will retire and still be acting. No sympathy here. If public servants cannot be confirmed, her department should be moving someone in the position who can.
  • Bullseye (22/02/2014, 03:52) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    That's good for her she should stay acting a total waste of time it's like putting square pegs in round holes
  • Courage (22/02/2014, 12:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop your blame game. Who is over the Deputy Governor's Office? If you are dissatisfied then you go to the Govenor's Office from finding fault with people's children.
  • Amen (22/02/2014, 14:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    God will deal with all oppressors
  • civil servant (22/02/2014, 20:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just enough pottage to keep you alive. Cant let the slaves think they have a chance
  • facts man (23/02/2014, 00:04) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hope she gets confirmed before the next elections as vip will not study she either
  • lower estate (23/02/2014, 13:32) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    And I am sure she will be acting for another 4!
  • Tall boy (23/02/2014, 18:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Civil servants have a low moral at the moment. Low moral means inefficient/unproductive service which translates into frustrated population and failing infrastructure. BAM
  • Fresh (26/02/2014, 10:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Four more years


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