‘Political acumen’ required for top food safety, gov’t PR roles

2026-02-11 - 23:38

The Hong Kong government has launched open recruitment for two directorate-level jobs, listing “political acumen” as an entry requirement in the job postings, according to vacancy announcements. Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. File photo: GovHK. Notices for the positions of director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and director of the Information Services Department (ISD) were published on Wednesday. They mark the first time the government has conducted open recruitment for the two positions, breaking a long-standing tradition of appointing career administrative officers to top roles, according to local media outlet HK01. Apart from entry requirements such as education and work experience, the job posting also says the head of the FEHD should have “strong political acumen to manage political sensitivities adeptly,” with knowledge and experience in law enforcement work preferred. Among the entry requirements, the head of the ISD should possess “strong intellectual ability, political acumen, interpersonal and communication skills, strategic thinking and leadership skills, [and] the acumen to embrace changes and challenges.” File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Both positions also require “a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test.” Hong Kong authorities have demonstrated a heightened focus on national security in recent years. The civil service code of conduct, updated in 2024, stipulates that upholding national security is a “core value” for the city’s government employees. In June, the FEHD began including national security-related clauses under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance. Restaurant licences could be revoked if licence holders and “related persons” engage in “offending conduct” against national security or public interest. The FEHD said the conditions were aimed at deterring behaviour contrary to national security. A Japanese restaurant in Shek Tong Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The position of director of information services will be vacant as the current head, Apollonia Liu, will take up