The role of Prime Minister’s Head of Secretariat, previously Chief of Staff, is seen as one of the most powerful positions in the country. It has previously been held by high profile figures like Keith Schembri, currently under criminal investigation for his possible role in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder and for taking kickbacks in relation to the IIP programme, and Richard Cachia Caruana, who led Malta’s entry negotiations with the EU.

Mr Micallef will be replacing Clyde Caruana, who was in the position since January after a term as CEO of the state employment agency JobsPlus. Mr Caruana has since been co-opted to Parliament and was last week appointed Minister for Finance as part of a wider reshuffle.

Mr Micallef, who is one of the youngest to ever hold the role, is seen as an appointment that is more oriented to the civil service, having served as Director General of Malta’s EU Coordination Department and advisor to the Prime Minister on EU affairs.

In that role he was responsible for the Government’s overall internal coordination on EU-related matters, including the transposition and implementation of EU legislation.

Mr Micallef holds a degree in Economics from the University of Malta, where he was active as a student activist and served as press relations officer and later president of the social democrat student organisation Pulse.

Rodrick Zerafa, Communications Secretary at the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, who has known Mr Micallef since their time in Pulse and has remained good friends with him, called him “upright and intelligent”.

“His experience and the roles that have been entrusted to him over the last years will surely come in useful in the new responsibilities and challenges he will need to take on,” he said, while also pointing to his professionalism and strong sense of organisational leadership.

Another source who has worked with Mr Micallef said that he is a moderate whose defining quality can be said to be his approachability.

The EU civil service employee, speaking to WhosWho.mt on condition of anonymity, said that Mr Micallef is a humble person who has time to dialogue with everyone, indicating that his appointment will be a boon to those looking for better communication with OPM.