The House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands is seeking a qualified person to fill the vacancy of Chairperson of the Parliamentary Commission for Standards.

Role of the Parliamentary Commission for Standards

In accordance with Section 3 (1) of the Parliamentary Commission for Standards Act, 2024 (the “Act”), a Commission must be established under the name of “Parliamentary Commission for Standards” (the “Commission”). This Commission is to make provision for the promotion, encouraging and safeguarding high standards of conduct in the public office by members of the House of Assembly.

The primary functions of the Commission as outlined in section 16 of the Act are to:

1. receive any complaint that the conduct of a member amounts to a failure to comply with a relevant provision;
2. investigate any complaint received in accordance with the Act;
3. advise the members of the House of Assembly and members of the public on the procedures for making and investigating complaints and;
4. prepare reports on investigations conducted by the Commission for submission to the House of Assembly.

The Commission will consist of three Commissioners who are Virgin Islanders or belongers as defined by Section 65(2) and 2(2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, and appointed by the House of Assembly.

Requirements for Commissioner

Section 4 (2) of the Act states that membership of the Commission should include a Chairperson, who is a retired judge or attorney at law with at least fifteen years standing, and who has practiced in the Virgin Islands or within the jurisdiction of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States.

A person appointed to the Commission shall be a person of high integrity, capable of exercising competence, diligence, sound judgment and impartiality in fulfilling his or her duties pursuant to the Act.

A person shall not be qualified to be appointed as a member of the Commission if that person:

1. is a member of the House of Assembly;
2. has, at any time been a member of the House of Assembly, during the five years preceding the date of appointment, been a person in public life or otherwise exercised a public function;
3. is a member of staff of the House of Assembly, a public officer or employee assigned to the House of Assembly;
4. has, been a member of the staff of the House of Assembly at any time during the period of two years prior to the date of his or her appointment is to take effect;
5. would otherwise be disqualified, in accordance with the Constitution, to be a member of the House of Assembly;
6. has been convicted of an offence within or outside the Virgin Islands;
7. is an undischarged bankrupt or has compounded with his or her creditors;
8. is not a Belonger; or
9. has been certified by a medical practitioner to be of unsound mind.

Initial Responsibilities (within six months of appointment)

1. Assist in the formal establishment of the Parliamentary Commission to include, but not limited to, advising on, and establishing the operational procedures and protocols of the Commission.
2. Develop management strategies of the Commission,  including      a communication and public relations strategy, while establishing the operational legal parameters of the Commission.