Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said on Saturday that ongoing open recruitment efforts could help put the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in good hands with a director who has an innovative bent and political acumen.

Tse was speaking after the government on Wednesday launched, in a first, an open-recruitment drive to fill the position as well as the top job at the Information Services Department.

Requirements for the top FEHD job for applicants include having a "strong political acumen to manage political sensitivities adeptly" while having "knowledge and experience in law enforcement work" was preferred.

"The scope of the department's work is extensive, and it involves contact with the public and is closely tied to law-enforcement duties," Tse said on a TV programme.

"It also involves dealing with situations where potential conflicts of interest may arise.

"As a senior civil servant, keen political acumen and law enforcement experience can help drive continuous innovation and improvement within the department."