Secretary to the Cabinet

The Secretary to the Cabinet in Dominica is the chief administrative officer of the Cabinet Office, responsible for managing the flow of business within the executive branch of government. This role, grounded in constitutional and administrative authority, ensures the effective operation of Cabinet procedures and the coordination of government policy across ministries.

Authority and Constitutional Basis for the Secretary to the Cabinet

Under Section 69 of the Constitution of Dominica, the Secretary to the Cabinet is a public officer appointed to manage the affairs of the Cabinet Office. Appointed by the Public Service Commission, the Secretary acts under the direction of the Prime Minister and plays a non-political but highly influential role in the governance process.

The position has the authority to facilitate the Cabinet’s decision-making processes and ensure timely, accurate communication of those decisions across the public service.

Core Responsibilities and Duties

The Secretary to the Cabinet performs several critical functions that maintain the administrative and policy effectiveness of the government. These include:

• Organising and issuing agendas for Cabinet meetings in consultation with the Prime Minister.
• Recording and maintaining the official minutes of all Cabinet proceedings.
• Coordinating with Permanent Secretaries and the wider Committee of Permanent Secretaries to ensure implementation of Cabinet decisions.
• Communicating resolutions, decisions, and directives to ministries, departments, and other public agencies.
• It serves as a link between executive leadership and the administrative branches of government.

The Secretary may also be assigned additional duties at the discretion of the Prime Minister, especially in matters of inter-ministerial collaboration or policy follow-up.

Relationship with Permanent Secretaries and Inter-Ministerial Work

The Secretary to the Cabinet chairs the Committee of Permanent Secretaries, a body tasked with coordinating the execution of national policies across ministries. This committee also oversees the implementation of strategic initiatives such as the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and monitors administrative performance.

Through this role, the Secretary ensures that government operations align with national development goals and that ministries work collaboratively in delivering services and programmes.

Administrative and National Significance

This office serves as a stabilising force in government transitions and is instrumental in upholding continuity in policy implementation regardless of political changes. The Secretary to the Cabinet must maintain confidentiality, impartiality, and administrative precision while enabling smooth communication between elected officials and the state’s administrative machinery.

One of the few roles in Dominica’s public service cuts across all ministries and policy areas, offering a comprehensive view of national governance while facilitating daily executive function.