St. Helena Government

St Helena Island boasts a warm climate, beautiful landscapes and historical sites attractive to history buffs, adventurers and culture-seekers alike. It is not surprising that coming to work for the St Helena Government is such an attractive option.

This British Overseas Territory offers you a unique opportunity to work in a remote location and become a key member in contributing to the Island community. By joining our committed team of public servants you’ll be helping achieve our Mission to;

“improve the lives of all within our community and help the island thrive.”

We welcome those who can support our values of Fairness, Integrity and Teamwork.

St Helena Island

Around 20 million years ago an underwater volcano broke surface and formed the island of St Helena, its pinnacle settling at 820 metres above sea level.

Set in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, St Helena is 4,901 miles from the United Kingdom, 1,200 miles from the west coast of Africa and 703 miles from neighbouring Ascension Island.

The Island is small, about 120 km2 (47 square miles), with steep hills, deep valleys and contrasting landscapes. Whilst small in radius the island is large in decline/incline and therefore can take some time to get from one side of the island to another. The Island is dry and barren below 350m and abundantly green at higher altitudes with pastures, forests and plantations of New Zealand flax.

St Helena is home to a third of all endemic species in the UK and British territories combined. There are around 45 endemic plants, 32 which are flowering and 13 fern species. The Wirebird is the only indigenous land-based vertebrate and there are at least 50 endemic marine species and over 400 invertebrates.

There are no harmful animals or insects save for a few poisonous spiders and centipedes, which are rare. There are mosquitoes but they are not malaria carriers.

The climate is moderate and temperatures can range from 30C in summer to 12C in the winter.

Seasons in the southern hemisphere are opposite to the north with the winter months of June to September being the wettest and coolest. The highest temperatures occur in the lower regions of the Island and there can be a 10-degree variation between different altitudes on any given day, with Jamestown, the capital, being the warmest area.

The City of Jamestown

Jamestown is the capital of St Helena. It was granted its city status by Queen Victoria, in 1859.

The town measures roughly a mile, from the landing steps at the seafront, to the front steps of the island’s hospital, at New Bridge.

Jamestown really is the island’s central hub. It is the natural meeting place for people doing business as it includes The Castle (government), Bank of St Helena, Solomon & Company PLC, police, the court house and the largest range of shops.

But, just as importantly, it’s the perfect place for connecting socially, and it’s where you’ll find the majority of St Helena’s pubs, cafés and eateries.

Employment

Individuals coming to St Helena on a fixed term contract of more than 30 days and whose salary will be taxed by the St Helena Government, need to contact their local HMRC office to advise and obtain the relevant documentation for completion, in order to avoid being taxed on this income by the UK also.

The current rates of income tax are; a £7,000 personal allowance per annum, thereafter 26% on the first £18,000 and 31% on the remainder

There may be opportunities for partners to be employed (at local rates). In occupations where there is a shortage of skills, such as teachers and nurses, employment may be possible, again at local rates.

There are many opportunities for voluntary work, for example, in schools, with people with disabilities and the elderly.

There is also a chance to become involved with one of the Island’s many non-government organisations, for example the St Helena National Trust, SHAPE or Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

It is advisable that those considering employment or volunteering, obtain criminal record clearance (Disclosure and Barring in the UK) preferably enhanced if expecting to work with vulnerable groups, prior to their arrival on island.

Leisure and Activities

There’s plenty of opportunity for the whole family to relax and enjoy St Helena life, from activities on the island itself to adventures on and in the sea.

St Helena’s volcanic landscape makes hiking one of the most popular activities, one that offers quite spectacular views.

Post Box Walks

There are numerous footpaths and 21 ‘Post Box’ walking trails etched out for exploring the island, each with varying difficulty, length and scenery. Proper footwear is essential and a guide is recommended for the challenging routes.

Whale Sharks

Surrounded by ocean, the Island is visited by whale sharks, humpback whales, is home to dolphins, devil rays, and a variety of fish which makes for great diving, boat trips, snorkelling and fishing.

Swimming in the Sea

Beaches however, are in short supply and because of strong currents and undertows, swimming in the sea is considered safe only, off the wharf in Jamestown, and from the black sand beaches at Rupert’s Valley and Lemon Valley, popular on weekends and holidays.

Sandy Bay beach is fine for picnics and barbeques but is not safe for swimming. The public outdoor swimming pool in Jamestown is open year-round.

Activities such as Kayaking and Paddle boarding are possible in certain locations and recreational fishing is popular on the island.

Yacht Club

There is a small yacht club, for a small membership fee, you will have access to club house facilities on the seafront.

Dive Clubs

There are two dive club on the island, they offer a mixture of diving and fishing excursions as well as training opportunities.