Reporting to the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Director of Information Services (DIS) is required to lead the Information Services Department (ISD) to take forward its mission of providing professional PR advice and promoting Government policies and services with a view to projecting an accurate image of the city within and outside Hong Kong. Specifically, the major duties and responsibilities of the post are –

• (a)to monitor media feedback on major Government initiatives and events, and review with the Chief Executive (CE) and other Principal Officials the handling of PR implications and issues;
• (b)to provide strategic PR advice and support to CE, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary on Policy Address, Budget and other key policy initiatives and programmes as assigned;
• (c)to actively engage the media sector, particularly the editors, to enhance understanding of Government’s policy thinking and position;
• (d)to promote, both locally and overseas, Hong Kong’s positive image through publicity programmes such as Announcements in the Public Interest, media partnership and the Brand HK programme;
• (e)to manage and deploy manpower and financial resources of ISD with a view to providing quality, professional and effective services to meet the changing needs of Government bureaux/departments and the media; and
• (f)to make on-going efforts in enhancing the training and development of staff with a view to developing a multi-skilled and professional cadre of Information Officers.

Candidates should possess –

• (a)a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree from a university in Hong Kong, or equivalent;
• (b)at least 15 years of administrative and management experience, including at least 7 years in a senior position;
• (c)strong intellectual ability, political acumen, interpersonal and communication skills, strategic thinking and leadership skills; the acumen to embrace changes and challenges;
• (d)good understanding of the media sector and strong track record in handling matters relating to public relations (PR);
• (e)an excellent command of written Chinese and English, and proficiency in spoken Cantonese, Putonghua and English; and
• (f)a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST).