Executive Director

RATIONALE/JUSTIFICATION

To improve the central executive management role of the NCST Secretariat and enhance the capacity of the Chairman to act in an informed manner. The Executive Director is therefore responsible for the overall administration and management of co-ordination of policy, advisory service, and personal support to the Chairman and Vice Chairman, high-level liaison and coordination with ministries and government departments, foreign governments, organized businesses and civil society organizations, to advance the development of science, technology and innovation as an effective socio-economic tool for Jamaica's development. 

KEY OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES

• Progress reports, memoranda of unfinished business and impact assessments of Secretariat’s activities; 
• Integrated national science and technology budget; 
• Organization and management of the Secretariat; 
• Procurement, security and maintenance of the Secretariats property;
• Local and international fundraising; 
• Electronic and print databases on NCST’s subject matters; 
• Strategic research for national development objectives; 
• Systems to monitor science and technology initiatives; 
• Periodic analysis of the state of science and technology in the nation;
• Commission’s decisions effected and monitored; 
• Planned fora (meetings, seminars, workshops, etc.); 
• Extensive contacts made and maintained with various stakeholders;
• Preparation and presentation of advisories;
• Five (5) year Strategic Plan; 
• Annual Operational Plans; 
• Annual Commission’s Budget; 
• Overseeing of Commissions finances; 
• Implementation of human resources policies, procedures and practices;
• Implementation of Performance Management System. 

SCOPE OF WORK

• Directs the organization and management of the daily business of the Commission; 
• Places before the Commission: memoranda of unfinished business, progress reports, final results, and impact assessments of decisions taken and implemented, public concerns, new developments in science and technology (S & T) and other areas related to the work of the Commission; 
• Prepares and maintains an integrated National Science and Technology budget under the direction of the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST); 
• Communicates the Commission’s decisions to the relevant agencies and persons; 
• Monitors the implementation of the Commission’s decisions by the relevant agencies and persons; 
• In collaboration with the various agencies, assists in the development of technological intelligence capabilities for different sectors of the economy; 
• Coordinates the communication of the work of the Commission to the wider public as necessary and build public support for “Science and Technology for Development”; 
• Establishes and maintains links with national and international organizations and persons which/who can be of technical and financial assistance to the Commission in the discharge of its responsibilities;
• Engages in developing partnerships that foster the promotion and optimal use of national, regional and international linkages in relation to science and technology; 
• Manages the procurement, security and proper maintenance of the Commission’s property; 
• Leads local and international fundraising efforts for ST&I Research & Development; 
• Coordinates public relations and dissemination activities of the Commission; 
• Interfaces with relevant public and private sector organizations in order to galvanize and direct the use of science and technology for increasing national productivity and competitiveness; 
• Manages the gathering and presentation of information to the Commission, its sub-committees and its Chairman, both on request and according to independent assessments of need by the Secretariat; 
• Oversees the setting up and maintenance of electronic and print databases on subject matters relevant to the work of the Commission; 
• Assists with the screening of experts recruited to provide science and technology services to the Commission; 
• Prepares monthly reports on the activities of the Secretariat for presentation to the Chairman; 
• Undertakes the development of strategic research efforts to recommend strategic key technologies relevant to national development objectives and conduct or commission such research as considered necessary; 
• Oversees the development of systems to monitor and evaluate the input and results of Science and Technology activities, including the allocation and utilization of public funds and recommends the appropriate corrective measure; 
• Performs periodic analysis of the state of science and technology in the nation, based on the application of agreed input and output indicators and provide timely reports to ensure that information is routinely available to the Commission, other entities and individuals for policy and decision-making;
• Develops a five (5) year Strategic Plan for the Secretariat; 
• Develops and ensures the implementation of annual Operational Plans and prepares and manages the annual Commission’s Budget accordingly; 
• As the Accounting Director of the Secretariat, oversees the handling of the Commission’s finances; 
• Determines staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery; 
• Oversees the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job description for all staff; 
• Recruits, interviews and selects staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the Commission’s mission; 
• Implements a performance management system for all staff which includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review. 

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Established deadlines, targets and quality standards are consistently met. 
• Operates in a fair and impartial manner, sets high standards and establishes clear and focused directions for subordinates. 
• High level of confidentiality maintained in the execution of job functions at all times 
• High ethical standards are maintained in the conduct of professional and personal business; 
• Reports are accurate and submitted within established time frame.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core 

• Oral communication 
• Written communication 
• Customer and quality focus 
• Team work and cooperation 
• Interpersonal skills 
• Compliance 
• Integrity 
• Change management 
• Adaptability 

Functional 

• Initiative 
• Use of technology (accepts and implements information technology in work activities to enhance organizational performance
• Strategic vision 
• Managing external relationships
• Problem solving and decision making
• People management 
• Analytical thinking 
• Goal/result oriented 
• Planning and organizing 
• Leadership 
• People Management 
• Methodical 
• Goal/resulted oriented 
• Analytical thinking 
• Social skills 
• Managing partners 
• Impact and influence 
• Capability to formulate and implement policies and plans 
• Ability to attract external funding

CONTACTS

• All Ministries and Departments, Private Sector, Regional, Sub-Regional and International Agencies and their heads. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

• Advanced Science Degree in Basic or Applied sciences; 
• A Masters in Business Administration, Commerce, Law or related area of training & experience; 
• At least five (5) years experience at senior management level or Head administrative role; and; 
• A minimum of ten (10) years relevant professional experience working within the scientific community. 
• The required years of professional experience should include five (5) years in a senior leadership capacity and should include but not limited to: 
  • Experience in coordinating activities at the local, regional and international levels; 
  • Experience in dealing with and coordinating activities with scientists, technologists, industrialists, manufacturers, agriculturists and others in production and other fields employing science and technology in development; 
  • Scientific/technical competence with demonstrable knowledge of/and familiarity with the scientific and business communities, including an understanding of the needs of the academic and industrial users, as well as the broad range of stakeholders; 
  • Experience and training in the establishment of information systems (electronic and otherwise) and the retrieval and dissemination of information and data; 
  • Experience in providing public education in science and technology.

Specific knowledge required: 

• An excellent community builder with good awareness of the sensitivities of operating locally and across countries and disciplines; 
• Good knowledge of funding institutions, and international funding mechanisms, and experience in operating at an international level; 
• Demonstrable knowledge of the issues and regulations associated with intellectual property protection and process of law governing protection or rights and technology transfer; 
• Foreign language e.g. Spanish; 
• Knowledge of the non-formal and popular education process;
• Emerging issues in science and technology; 
• Accounting, financial and budgeting practices. 

REPORTING ARRANGEMENT

• The Executive Director reports to the Chairman of the Commission through the Vice Chairman of the Commission. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

• The position of Executive Director will be appointed an Accounting Officer under the Financial Administration and Audit (Amendment) Act of 1992. The Act defines an Accountable Officer as any Public Officer including an Accounting Officer concerned in and responsible for the collection, receipt, custody, issue or payment of public moneys or other public property. 
• In accordance with the documented standards and procedures of the company and laws governing the public sector and Government of Jamaica guidelines.

REMUNERATION

• According to existing guidelines and as approved by the Commission; and in keeping with the advice of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and the Public Service. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• May be required to work beyond normal working hours; 
• Substantive holder must be able to interact effectively with highly confidential information; 
• Extremely fast-paced. 

AUTHORITY

• Makes recommendations about recruitment and separation of staff to the Commission, subject to the approved establishment; 
• Assigns duties, sets priorities and revises work schedules in accordance with Commission’s/Secretariat’s goals and objectives; 
• Implements/develops strategies, operating procedures and systems, sets performance standards and reviews productivity; 
• Issues orders and maintains discipline, safety, security and morale in accordance with the commission’ policies and collective agreement, where applicable; 
• Incurs expenses within the approved budget according to GOJ procedures and subject to cash flow commitments; 
• Makes recommendations to the Commission regarding policy and strategy.