The Governor is the representative of Her Majesty the Queen in the British Virgin Islands.  The Constitution gives the Governor certain responsibilities which include oversight for external affairs, defence and internal security, administration of the Courts, and the terms and conditions of public officers.  By tradition the Governor is also Head of the Public Service.   He is also the Chairman of Cabinet and the National Security Council.  The laws of the Virgin Islands also pass to the Governor certain responsibilities in relation to elections, disaster preparedness, and the prison amongst other matters.  The Deputy Governor executes functions of the Governor’s Group on behalf of the Governor, through the Office of the Deputy Governor.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

The Office of the Deputy Governor supports the Deputy Governor in the exercise of his or her functions under section 38 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

As such, among other things, the Office provides technical and administrative support services to enable the Deputy Governor to assist the Governor in the exercise of his functions in matters of governance, national security/public safety and court administration.  The Office therefore provides policy advice across a range of subjects under the Governor's Group, including those which constitute Chapter 7 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007. 

More directly, on the macro level, the Office of the Deputy Governor is responsible for monitoring the quality of service delivery, and developing and implementing public sector reform initiatives for greater efficiency and enhanced service delivery.  This means that the Office, through the Deputy Governor and/or a consultant, engages with senior managers and heads of departments on a regularly scheduled basis for supporting the development of policy and strategic and operational plans for improved service-delivery.  On the micro level, the Office provides leadership and support for nine departments and accompanying units, and provides the support services necessary for the  Deputy Governor's chairmanship of the statutory boards under Governor's Group. The Office, then, also has responsibility for ensuring that public officers are equipped and supported for delivery of service.

The Permanent Secretary is the administrative head of the Office. The Deputy Governor’s Office is a part of the Central Government and it functions as the Ministry office for the Governor’s Group of Departments. Its mandate is to provide advice and support services to the Governor in:

A.  Governance

1.   Legal advice and prosecution services
2.   Auditing of public accounts
3.   Civil registry and identity services
4.   Human resources management of the public  service
5.   Training of public officers at home and abroad
6.   Complaints investigation and resolution
7.   Public service reform

B.   National Security

1.   Police services protections
2.   Comprehensive disaster management services

C.  Administration of the Courts

1.   Providing supportive services to the Supreme Court and the Commercial Court
2.   Providing supportive services to the Magistrate’s Court.

The Deputy Governor’s Office has the responsibility for the following in regards to the Governor’s Group:

• Preparing accountability documents, strategic plans, and work plans;
• Preparing budgets and associated initiatives for the Governor’s Group;
• Managing and preserving crown assets under their stewardship;
• Developing and initiating programmes; and
• Implementing and/or coordinating government policies, national policies and the administration of courts.

The Office leads and maintains responsibility through agencies for:

• Preparation of policy advice and information to the Governor on governance, national security and courts administration or related matters;
• Preparation of policy advice and research on constitutional matters;
• Implementation of service delivery reform initiatives across the public service;
• Coordination of strategies relating to Government policies; and
• Preparation of reports on programmes jointly implemented with other agencies.

Vision

A world class organisation staffed with satisfied employees, delivering services efficiently and effectively.

Mission

To ensure effective public governance, strengthen democracy and human rights, promote economic prosperity and social cohesion, and deepen confidence in government and public administration.

Core Values

The Office of the Deputy Governor is committed to the following:

1.         Assisting you in a prompt, efficient, and fair manner;
2.         Providing you with the services needed in a courteous and professional manner;
3.         Preserving your privacy and confidentiality;
4.         Maintaining transparency and accountability by publishing public information regularly;
5.         Providing explanations of our policies and guidelines;
6.         Maintaining professional relationships with vendors;
7.         Improving service delivery by monitoring and measuring service standards; and
8.         Improving your perception of the public service.