Government is seeking a $150,000-a-year new Director of Telecommunications who can “think outside the box”.The job is being advertised as the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy prepares for a regulatory overhaul of the telecoms industry.The major reform will see the functions of the Telecoms Department split with a new Regulatory Authority.The director position has been vacant for some time, and has been filled by acting directors on a rotational basis, a Ministry spokeswoman said.The ad describes the ideal candidate as someone who can understand relevant legislation, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and “convey socially and politically sensitive information and decisions with diplomacy and tact”.Several of the Island’s telecoms providers are currently embroiled in a legal dispute, stemming from Digicel’s launch of a new long distance service.The Supreme Court ordered the service to be halted last week, after Government lawyers opposed it and accused Digicel of jumping the gun on telecoms reform.Digicel claimed Government had approved the service, however. The parties return to court to battle it out later this month.Minister Walter Roban has said the new Regulatory Authority will be staffed by experts and be self funding “with revenues derived from the industries that it regulates”.However, he said Government would help fund the Authority at least in its first year.“For the first year of implementation, and mindful of our current economic climate, it is our desire to not place a financial burden on the industry or on the users of telecommunications services,” Mr Roban said at a recent news conference to announce reform legislation would be tabled in Parliament November 18.“We will be seeking from the Ministry of Finance an allocation for the Authority’s operating expenses. The level of finding obtained will determine the level of operation that can be sustained in the first year.”Mr Roban said once set up, the Authority will have the role of determining technical issues such as spectrum/frequency allocation, market dominance and local number portability.The position advertised has a salary of $150,761.“This post offers an exciting opportunity for an energetic and experienced person to take a lead role in the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy,” the ad said.“The post holder has statutory responsibility under the Telecommunications Act 1986, works under policy direction of the Permanent Secretary of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy to be responsible for the coordination, development, and implementation of Government’s policies, legislative and administrative programs in respect of Public Telecommunications and General Broadcasting Services.“The Director will be responsible for providing professional advice relating to issues/concerns affecting both areas of Telecommunications (General and Public), operating at the strategic level as well as at the operational level, issue drafting instructions for new legislation, understand and interpret all relevant legislation, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, ensure compliance with international conventions and regulations, effectively represent Bermuda’s interests at international forums, convey socially and politically sensitive information and decisions with diplomacy and tact and be resourceful and able to ‘think outside the box’.”The ad said applicants should possess a master’s degree or equivalent in business administration or a related subject area, and must have 10 years of experience in the telecommunications industry.