New head of Jersey Overseas Aid agency announced

A former United Nations worker has been appointed as the executive director of Jersey Overseas Aid.

Edward Lewis served as the aid and development agency's interim boss after his predecessor Simon Boas died from cancer aged 47 last year.

Mr Boas wrote about his cancer and his book, A Beginner's Guide to Dying, was published in September.

The JOA's commission chair and Minister for International Development Deputy Carolyn Labey said Mr Lewis's "interpersonal skills, professional and practical experience in the development sector" stood out after a highly competitive global recruitment process.

Mr Lewis joined the JOA seven years ago as a programme officer before becoming head of programme in 2020, and he was responsible for overseeing the agency's multimillion-pound development and humanitarian portfolios.

Labey said Mr Lewis has been "an integral part of the organisation's professionalisation" since he joined.

Mr Lewis said: "It is a huge privilege and honour to be given the opportunity to lead an organisation that represents the very best of Jersey.

"I am incredibly excited at the prospect of building on the tremendous work of the commission and that of my predecessor, Simon Boas, taking the organisation forward and enhancing its reputation as a world class development donor."

Mr Lewis worked for the United Nations in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East before he joined the JOA.

The organisation faces a busy year as islanders prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of liberation from Nazi occupation during World War Two.

Deputy Labey said: "As a community that once received aid, an experience still within living memory, JOA holds a particularly profound and relevant role in giving something back on behalf of the island."

Mr Lewis's tasks as new executive director will include hosting government representatives and UN officials from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in JOA's role as co-chair of a major UN humanitarian working group.

The agency would continue to give humanitarian help to people whose lives had been shattered by armed conflict or natural disasters, said Deputy Labey.

It would also give opportunities to islanders who wanted a career in international development or to volunteer overseas, the agency added.

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