Director, Classification & Industry Liaison

Job Purpose

Under the direction and supervision of the Senior Director, International and Industry Liaison, the Director, Classification and Industry Liaison will be responsible to: 

• Effectively and efficiently manage activities and programmes designed to facilitate international trade and local industry expansion and preservation, in keeping with Jamaica Customs' mandate to foster compliance and contribute to our national development and protection of society. 
• Coordinate the functions of the Customs Tariff Review Committee, which reviews tariff policies and formulates recommendations to preserve uniformity, equity, and fairness.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
• Contribute to maintaining a database on tariff classifications and other literature related to trade and industry programmes. 
• To collaborate with other policy agencies, importers, exporters, and industry and community stakeholders aimed at ensuring timely provision of information to achieve desired policy outcomes effectively and practically; and, 
• To identify and follow up technical assistance programmes and represent Jamaica Customs locally, regionally and internationally on tariff-related and industry issues. 

Key Responsibility Areas

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Participate in developing and implementing international programmes to exchange information on the levels of service and the evolution of new practices in other countries relating to customs activities. 
• Research and analyse classification trends and strategies and review documentation from the World Trade Organization, World Customs Organization, Caricom, etc., to assess and secure appropriate international compliance resources and strategy, plans and key initiatives for the Agency. 
• Identify changes in government policies/procedures to analyse the nature and impact of change with the tariff structure. 
• Liaise with the Ministry of Finance to correct any anomaly discovered in tariffs and clarify tax rates and exemptions. 
• Develops uniform standards and procedures for classification per international protocols. 
• Ensures the currency and maintenance of information systems relating to the customs tariff and disseminating such information. 
• Oversee developing and delivering relevant tariff classification sensitisation through various formats within and without the Agency as required. 
• Create regional information and collaboration channels to ensure regional information sharing and leverage.  
• Keep abreast of all changes and ensure the timely updating of the Harmonized Tariff, its schedules and other related Acts and Regulations.  
• Assist in advancing good relationships with the Jamaican importing community to ensure the continuing provision of information on all Customs matters that affect the community (e.g., changes in related legislation, procedures, policies, etc.) and provide opportunities for the importing community to express opinions and concerns regarding related customs clients’ services, customs policies, and procedures. 
• Provide the Public Relations Branch with disclosures and relevant information for publication through the various media houses, keeping with the Agency’s continuous public awareness programmes and developing remedial measures where necessary. 
• Assist in implementing information programmes and other suitable forums for exchanging information with clients and stakeholders. 
• Monitors and responds to complaints about tariff classifications enforced by the Customs Act and other related laws and legislations. 
• Oversee the development and conduct of capacity-building programmes for internal and external stakeholders. 

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction in the Branch's development and continual performance improvement and oversee the branch activities and operations 
• Lead strategic planning and review process for the activities of the Intelligence Branch. 
• Guides the staff of the Branch in interpreting the policies and procedures to determine proper courses of action.  
• Ensures that all required processes, systems, and controls are in place within the Section. 
• Ensures that appropriate communication and knowledge management systems are in place within the Branch and with other internal or external Divisions/Branches. 
• Ensures the staff has the necessary tools and equipment to perform their functions effectively and efficiently.  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with all internal divisions.  
• Ensures that the Branch work is adequately documented. 
• Establish and maintain a culture that fosters teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Sections and organisations’ goals. 
• Prepares reports and project documents as required.    
• Develops, monitors, and coordinates budget preparation and monitoring and signs off on related requisitions for the Section/Branch. 

Human Resources Responsibilities 

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of direct reports, prepare performance appraisals, and recommend and indicate corrective actions where necessary to improve performance and attain established personal and organisational goals.  
• Undertake human resource management-related functions, including staff selection, training, and discipline by the Agency’s policies and procedures,   
• Participate in staff recruitment for the section and recommend transfers, promotions, terminations, and leave according to established human resource policies and procedures.  
• Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, monitoring, and coaching.  
• Ensure the welfare and development needs of skills in the Branch are identified and addressed.  
• Recommend disciplinary action where necessary concerning direct reports.  
• Communicate KPIs from the strategic annual plan so that each employee is aware.  

Customer Service Responsibilities 

• Maintains customer service principles, standards, and measurements.  
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers in business process design.    

Other Responsibilities 

• Perform all other duties and functions as may be required occasionally.  
• May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence. 
• Enforce Health & Safety Policies & Procedures and mitigate and minimises workplace hazards.  

Required Competencies

Core 

• Excellent leadership and people management skills 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills 
• Excellent planning, organisation, and time management skills. 
• Strong analytical, judgement, decision-making and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to think strategically. 
• Keen attention to detail. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to work in a team environment.   
• Ability to be adaptable, especially under pressure. 
• Ability to display high levels of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism. 
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people, including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds. 

Technical  

• Expert knowledge of the WCO Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (HS), the operations of the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET), and permit regimes governing trade and industry 
• Working knowledge of international conventions and treaties and rules of origin 
• Good knowledge of government fiscal and international trade policies. 
• Working knowledge of Customs and other related Acts and Regulations. 
• Working knowledge of related legislation to preserve local industry (e.g., the Trademark Act, Copyrights Act, Intellectual Property Act, etc.). 
• Working knowledge of relevant computer systems and applications. 

Minimum required Education and Qualification

• A Master’s Degree in International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Economics or a related field or equivalent qualification with at least six (6) years experience in an operational managerial position 

OR 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Economics or a related field or equivalent qualification with at least ten (10) years of experience in an operational managerial position. 
• Experience in the application of the Customs Act and related legislation. 
• Supervisory Management training and experience. 
• Specialized knowledge of customs administration and operations, tax administration and tariff classification.  
• WCO certification: Rules of Origin, Harmonized System, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Safe Framework of Standards 
• WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement 

Special conditions associated with the Job

• Work will be conducted in an office with standard equipment and specialised software.  
• The environment is fast-paced, with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines, which will result in high degrees of pressure on occasion.  
• Minimal degree of travelling required (<25%) locally but may be required to attend international trade conferences and conventions regularly.