Director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr Wesley Hughes, has confirmed that he has been interviewed for the post of financial secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding last week confirmed reports that Sharon Crooks is to be replaced as the financial secretary.

Golding said the move was part of plans to strengthen the technical team at the finance ministry.

Crooks served in the post for just under two years.

Prior to Golding's confirmation last Thursday, reports circulated that Hughes would replace Crooks. If Hughes is selected for the job, he will become the fourth financial secretary in just under five years.

Speaking with journalists at the beginning of the PIOJ's quarterly press briefing, Hughes quipped that the PIOJ could continue its work successfully without him at the helm.

"On Sunday (Wayne) Rooney scored for Manchester United. Despite the absence of (Cristiano) Ronaldo, Manchester United won," he said, before announcing that the director of PIOJ's social policy planning and research, Dr Pauline Knight, had been confirmed as deputy director general.

He later admitted to journalists that he had been interviewed for the post, though it's not clear when the interview was done.

"They might have recommended against my appointment or for," he said Monday.

Hughes said he expects that the post of financial secretary will be more challenging than his current job at the PIOJ, but suggested he was equipped to deal with the issues faced by the ministry.

"I'm a public servant and I do what is necessary. I take on the job," he assured.