Director, Strategic Planning, Performance Monitoring, Policy and Research (GMG/SEG 4)

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Postmaster General, the Director, Strategic Planning, Performance Monitoring, Policy and Research is responsible for preparing the strategic and operational plans for the Post and Telecommunications Department (PTD) and monitoring organizational performance. This role leads the review and analysis of policy documents, providing recommendations for necessary changes, and delivers evidence-based data to inform policies and strategies across PTD operations. Additionally, the Director manages the Department’s strategic business planning, ensuring alignment of corporate and support functions with departmental objectives, by utilizing the Cabinet Office’s Performance Management Evaluation System (PMES). The Director also integrates expectations from the National Vision Plan, Parent Ministry, and stakeholders into the Strategic Business Plan, ensuring that performance outcomes align with the mission and values of the Post and Telecommunications Department. 

Key Responsibilities

• Plans, directs and monitors the work of the Strategic Planning, Performance Monitoring, Policy and Research Unit, by developing its Operational/Unit Plan and Budget and ensuring that Individual Work Plans are prepared by direct reports; 
• Ensures the establishment of mechanisms within the Unit to enable the achievement of its objectives effectively and efficiently; 
• Prepares Individual Work Plan; 
• Guides the co-ordination of Strategic Planning Retreats, Executive Management and Senior Management meetings; 
• Prepares reports for and participates in Review Sessions/Quarterly Review Meetings at Parent Ministry; 
• Prepares and submits activity/performance, special and other reports for review and action; 
• Provides technical advice to the PMG, the Board and other relevant personnel on planning and policy matters; 
• Assists in the preparation of briefs, speeches and position papers for the PMG, as required; 
• Represents the Department at local and international meetings, conferences and other affairs, as required; 
• Prepares and submits performance and other reports as required, and ensures timely submission of all documents/information requested from the Department; 
• Directs and co-ordinates a comprehensive Strategic Planning Process for the Department, by ensuring full stakeholder participation in the planning and implementation of performance measures to support its goals, objectives, budget, plans and priorities; 
• Leads the development and implementation of the Department’s Operational Plan and Budget; 
• Solicits the input of Divisional/Branch Heads in the development of their Strategic and Operational Plans and Budget, ensuring that they are directly linked to the Department’s strategic objectives and performance indicators; 
• Collaborates with the Enterprise Risk Management Specialist to forecast and analyse external variables of strategic importance to the Departmen,t and integrates these into the planning process; 
• Co-ordinates the activities required for the development of the Department’s Budget;
• Develops, implements and maintains policies and procedures to guide the operations of the Department; 
• Collaborates with the Public Relations Division to develop a programme for the effective communication of the PTDs policies, programmes and projects with its shareholders;
• Establishes policies and procedures for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects undertaken by the Department, and ensures reporting requirements of all stakeholders/partners are met; 
• Co-ordinates, in consultation with the Human Resource Management and Development Branch and other key stakeholders, strategic planning and Budget preparation sensitization sessions, to equip relevant officers with the information needed to participate in the strategic planning process for their respective areas and the Department; 
• Monitors the integration of policy, technical and other inputs into the development and review of the Department’s Strategic Business and Operational Plan; 
• Co-ordinates and chairs periodic strategic business and operational planning and review meetings with internal stakeholders to facilitate the provision of updates, evaluate performance targets and recommends strategies to enhance the achievement of objectives; 
• Monitors and enforces compliance with the Government of Jamaica’s Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System (PMES), by issuing monitoring and evaluation guidelines to Divisional/Branch Heads and conducts reviews to assess compliance level with established standards; 
• Develops performance measures and quantifies intermediate outcomes, outputs, responsibilities, results, products and services, where possible, using unit cost measures to assess programme efficiency; 
• Reinforces the use of performance measures to work towards the achievement of identified missions, goals, objectives and any applicable benchmarks; 
• Includes PMES requirements and strategies in the performance evaluation instrument, as outlined in the GoJ Accountability Framework for Senior Executive Officers;
• Directs and co-ordinates the preparation of the Department’s Annual Report;
• Conducts surveys, analyzes and prepares reports and presents recommendations regarding the Department’s planning, implementation and performance in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Cabinet Office; 
• Collects sound financial and non-financial information, and maintains such information in an effective performance database for effective decision making. 
• Evaluates critical programmes that are aligned to the Government’s priorities;
• Assists Heads of Division/Branch in identifying problems and potential barriers to effective implementation of planned projects, and recommends corrective actions, as required;
• Scans continuously the internal and external environment to identify opportunities for projects, which will assist the Ministry to effectively achieve its long term and short-term objectives; 
• Oversees and ensures the effective management of project implementations in accordance with plan; 
• Monitors critical paths and adopts a proactive approach to highlighting and initiating corrective action in cases of delay, or any other situations which may affect the timely completion and/or achievement of project objectives; 
• Oversees and ensures the development of a research mechanism to provide information and analysis to support the policy and planning functions, in particular, and the overall work of the Department in general; 
• Keeps abreast of trends and changes in planning and policy development and makes recommendations for their adoption, where necessary, to enhance the Department’s planning and policy development functions; 
• Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Strategic vision 
• Good analytical thinking skills 
• Good leadership and people management skills 
• Good interpersonal and relationship management skills 
• Good planning and organizing skills

Technical: 

• Developing and executing organizational plans 
• Implementing performance measurement frameworks 
• Designing and assessing policy initiatives 
• Conducting research and maintaining performance databases 
• Forecasting and adapting to organizational changes 
• Utilizing ICT tools for planning and monitoring 
• Ensuring adherence to government policies 
• Knowledge of GoJ’s Strategic Planning and Budget Management processes
• Knowledge of performance management techniques and applications
• Knowledge of Public Sector regulations (Public Service Regulations, Staff Orders, Financial Administration and Audit Act, etc.) 
• Knowledge of Principles and techniques of research, analysis, and policy development
• Ability to analyze financial and corporate data for decision-making 
• Understanding of corporate functions and their strategic contributions 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Master’s Degree in one of the following disciplines: Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Sector Management or Business Management; 
• Five (5) years’ experience in a planning and policy environment in Public or Private Sector;
• Training in Strategic/Corporate Planning would be an asset; 
• Training in Project Management would be an asset. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• May be required to work beyond regular working hours; 
• Spend long hours sitting and using office equipment; 
• Required to travel islandwide; 
• May be required to travel overseas.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.