My situation is this. It was decided that my VAP job must end (I can only "visit," so many years, so says the Provost), and a colleague agreed to be a letter writer/recommender. If I want to stay here, I need to apply for the open Lecturer position that is the exact same job I have been doing, and that colleague is the chair of the search.
(I did the first round interview, and I can tell you it is very weird being interviewed via Zoom by people who you've known very collegially for years - unexpectedly, that made me more nervous- and who are in nearby offices where I can hear them.)
Now, that colleague would potentially know/ have to submit letters for the other positions for which I'm applying. Is there some conflict of interest there, or is this something that is normal? Should I go with somebody else? My dean offered to be a reference. My chair didn't, but I think he would be willing to do so, and he is not on this search.