Director, International Cooperation

JOB PURPOSE

Under the general direction of the Permanent Secretary the Director, International Cooperation will be responsible for the effective management of relationships with several regional and international organizations with which the Ministry interfaces. The incumbent will also be responsible for coordinating activities and programmes related to science, energy and technology. 

KEY OUTPUTS

• Focal point activities coordinated; 
• Meeting arrangements coordinated; 
• Delegations briefed; 
• Briefing packages prepared; 
• Contact made for briefing material; 
• Documents maintained; 
• Follow-up action; 
• Documents prepared; 
• Projects monitored; 
• International agreements and treaties implemented; 
• Reports prepared. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Coordinates the work of various focal points in the portfolio areas in order to ensure that the Ministry’s mandate is achieved; 
• Communicates with local, regional and international partners on matters related to science, energy and technology; 
• Coordinates the arrangement of activities for all international meetings and conferences; 
• Ensures the thorough briefing/preparation of delegation to all meeting and conferences on matters relating to science, energy and technology;
• Prepares briefing packages/meeting notes for high level delegation to local, regional and international meetings and conferences; 
• Communicates with the relevant stakeholders internal and external to the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology for relevant briefing material for regional and international conferences and meetings that the Executive Office is attending; 
• Maintains active documentation related to decisions, agreements, resolutions or declarations to which Jamaica is a party; 
• Ensures follow-up actions on activities and other initiatives of the Ministry;
• Prepares documents on projects by working with international partners, government agencies, ministries and other related agencies; 
• Monitors and prepares progress reports on international projects;
• Contributes to the production of relevant publications and other public education material; 
• Represents the Ministry of Science Energy and Technology in external meetings as directed by the Permanent Secretary; 
• Seeks and pursues opportunities for the Ministry by networking with relevant organisations; 
• Monitors and capitalises on the performance and value of local, regional and international partnerships and brings the information to light; 
• Ensures the dissemination of information and/or decisions emanating from regional and international fora; 
• Provides support in liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, with regard to bilateral and multilateral relationships and other arrangements to support the development of the science, energy and technology sectors; 
• Assists with publicizing the advantages of these cooperation, understating, agreement and assistance; 
• Prepares reports declarations, resolutions and action plans. 

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Consults/liaises with the appropriate MDAs and other stakeholders to elicit advice/feedback on local, regional and international science, energy and technology matters affecting the Ministry; 
• Prepares, monitors and oversees responses to queries, questionnaires, surveys etc. from local, regional and international organisations ensuring the provision of prompt and accurate information and data; 
• Examines and quality assures documents/correspondence prepared by the Division; 
• Provides analysis and advice on local, regional and international science, energy and technology matters; 
• Researches, prepares and submits reports, briefs, discussion/position papers, meeting agendas as required; 
• Prepares Cabinet Submissions and/or Cabinet Notes;
• Organises or participates in the preparation for visits by regional and international dignitaries and other official events linked to the development and maintenance of the science, energy and technology sectors, as required at the level of the Ministry; 
• Serves as the Ministry’s main focal point for the planning and execution of international conferences relating to the portfolios; 
• Develops a mechanism for maintaining and updating information on regional and international technical cooperation initiatives; 
• Enables the Ministry to emulate international best practise by monitoring trends and developments; 
• Assists with the implementation of science, energy and technology activities and initiatives; 
• Track and monitors the Ministry’s implementation of the international agreement an treaties relating to the portfolio areas; 

Human Resource Responsibilities 

• Provides leadership and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring, coaching and discipline; 
• Coordinates the development of individual Work Plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned; 
• Recommends training, promotion and approves leave in accordance with established Human Resource Policies and Procedures; 
• Identifies skills/competencies gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the Department to ensure adequate staff capacity;
• Manages the performance of direct reports and facilitates timely and accurate completion of the staff annual performance appraisals and other periodic reviews; 
• Recommend and effects disciplinary measures in keeping with established guidelines/practices; 
• Ensures staff awareness of and adherence to the Human Resource Policy, circulars, Staff Orders and other policies and management procedures within the organization. 

Other duties 

• Performs any other related duties.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Meeting arrangements coordinated in accordance with established guidelines and within agreed timeframe; 
• Delegations briefed in accordance with established guidelines and within agreed timeframe; 
• Briefing packages prepared in accordance to established guidelines and within agreed timeframe; 
• Contact made for briefing material within agreed timeframe;
• Documents maintained in accordance with established guidelines;
• Follow-up action within agreed timeframe; 
• Documents prepared in accordance with established guidelines and within agreed timeframe; 
• Projects monitored in accordance with established standards and within agreed timeframe; 
• International agreements and treaties implemented, tracked and monitored in accordance with established standards; 
• Focal points activities coordinated in accordance with established standards;
• Reports prepared in accordance with established standards and within agreed timeframe.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core 

• Oral communication 
• Written communication 
• Customer and quality focus 
• Team work and cooperation 
• Integrity 
• Compliance
• Interpersonal skills
• Change management 
• Problem solving and decision making
• Initiative
• Coordinating skills 

Functional 

• Strategic vision
• Analytical thinking
• Impact and influence
• Planning and organizing
• Use of technology - Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications (Microsoft Office)
• Technical skills: Diplomatic skills, ability to work pro actively, independently and under pressure, Skilled at writing reports and briefings.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Management Studies, Public Administration, Public Policy, International Relations or any related field with at least three (3) years’ related experience; 

OR 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management Studies, Public Administration, Public Policy, International Relations or any related field with at least five (5) years’ related experience; 
• Command of another language (e.g. French or Spanish) would be and asset. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASOCIATED WITH THE JOB 

• Meeting critical deadlines; 
• Irregular working hours. 

AUTHORITY

• None