Policy Specialist (GMG/SEG 3)

Job Purpose

The incumbent is responsible for guiding and monitoring the implementation of the policies developed by the management of the Financial Investigations Division, assess the practicality of these systems with a view to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Departments’ functions, as well as build and maintain relationships with various local and international stakeholders, including regional law enforcement bodies, to ensure better collaboration and use of resources and effort through integrated and task force approaches. 

Key Responsibilities

Administrative/Management 

• Co-ordinates the production of reports for the Director General, in preparation for meetings internal and external to the Department; 
• Attends various meetings with internal and external agencies with and on behalf of the Director General; 
• Contributes to the strategic and operational plans of the Department; 
• Monitors and evaluates the implementation of policies and strategies aimed at identifying and investigating actual and potential violations of FID Act, POCA and other laws and regulations and recommends changes as necessary.

Technical/Professional 

Provide professional guidance and support to the Director General (DG) on the development, implementation quality assurance and administration of the Department's Statistics Database:

• Manages and co-ordinates the production and publication of statistics and the respective statistical reports for the Department; 
• Collects and evaluates statistical data from the various FID Branches and coordinates the production of statistics and reports for publication on the FID’s website, as well as in the Annual Reports and other reports issued by the Department; 
• Supports operational and strategic decisions through the collection, analysis, interpretation and communication of statistics and information to the relevant stakeholders;
• Oversees the development, implementation and maintenance of the Statistics Database System (SDS); 
• Liaises with respective local and international law enforcement agencies and other authorities of Jamaica and foreign states and with regional and international associations for access to relevant information necessary for compiling the required reports; 

Assist by way of research and analysis with the development of the Department’s policies and procedures in keeping international best practices; 

• Researches and analyses emerging trends and patterns related to financial crimes to inform financial intelligence efforts; 
• Conducts research and maintains knowledge of best practices as it relates to efficient operations of Financial Intelligence Units in other jurisdictions; 
• Conducts periodic assessments of FID policies, programmes and operating procedures and recommends and implements the relevant interventions; 
• Documents existing and new/proposed procedures and facilitates dissemination and enforcement of same; 
• Develops relevant monitoring and reporting systems to ensure the maintenance of established standards and procedures within the Department; 
• Assesses the capacity of FID staff as it relates to new/revised policies and/or SOPs, and collaborates with local and international institutions regarding the provision of training and other capacity building initiatives; 
• Commissions surveys and research in relation to special assignments as directed;
• Conducts studies and/or research aligned to the objectives of FID; 

Support the FID’s collaboration with national, regional and multi-national bodies to develop an effective, integrated AML/CFT regime; 

• Promotes the development and maintenance of Jamaica’s relationship with local, regional and international stakeholders in Jamaica’s anti-corruption, AML and CFT framework, in accordance with the statutory framework and Jamaica’s and the Department’s domestic and international obligations; 
• Develops and implements capacity building interventions for FID staff to maintain EGMONT Group membership, conform to Financial Action Task Force (FATF)standards and to be an effective Asset Recovery Agency; 
• Provides technical assistance and co-ordination services in responding to requests for information from Jamaican law enforcement on the areas of AML and CFT by international bodies such as the FATF, CFATF Egmont group and other international bodies; 
• Fosters good working relations with key stakeholders including the financial sector, designation non-financial institutions, and the media in the interest of combating corruption, financial crimes and terrorist financing; 
• Liaises with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ministry of National Security, Office of the DPP, the Supreme Court, and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF’S) (Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), Major Investigations Task Force and Revenue Protection Division (RPD), in all aspects of duties requiring collaboration and/or pertaining to civil or criminal litigation; 
• Develops and maintains effective co-operative working relationships with all parties both within and external to the Department through the timely dissemination of FID information via seminars, workshops, press releases, FID website and circulars; 
• Collaborates with local and international institutions regarding the provision of training and other capacity-building initiatives jointly with the Senior Director, Corporate Services;
• Develops Terms of References (TORs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and related agreements to facilitate collaboration and sharing of resources with local, regional and international organisations; 
• Develops and implements capacity building interventions for FID staff to maintain EGMONT Group membership, conform to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and to be an effective Asset Recovery Agency;
• Liaises with local and international stakeholders/counterparts in the conduct of investigations and to obtain/share information e.g. Assets Sharing Agreements forfeiture co-operation; 

Supports the development of national reforms in the areas of AML/CFT

• Conducts research and maintains knowledge of best practices deployed in operations of Financial Intelligence Branch in other jurisdictions, to inform the development of the Department’s policies; 
• Assists the Director General by way of research and analysis in the overall development of reforms and measures to enhance Jamaica’s framework for Anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) 
• Conducts or commissions surveys and research aligned to achieving the objectives of FID;
• Keeps abreast of best practices, trends and developments pertaining to anti-money laundering, financial crimes, and terrorist financing strategies/policies locally and internationally and provides updates and advice to the DG on same; 
• Monitors constantly the local and international environments to identify potential issues as well as innovations to improve the operations of the Department; 
• Assesses the capacity of FID staff as it relates to new/revised policies and/or SOPs and collaborates with local and international institutions regarding the provision of training and other capacity building initiatives; 
• Conducts analysis and research and makes recommendations in order to improve the ability and capacity of the FID to develop evidence based policy, programmes and procedures; 

Supports the Director General in ensuring achievement of the Strategic Objectives of the Department 

• Assists the Director General in the development of the strategic and operational plans of the Department; 
• Supports strategic and operational decision making through the collection, analysis, interpretation of data and the identification of emerging trends and patterns related to financial crimes, to inform financial intelligence efforts and provide insightful information to the relevant stakeholders; 
• Collaborates with and participates in discussions related to the operations of the Department and ensures relevant material is disseminated to the appropriate entities; 
• Co-ordinates the production of reports for the DG in preparation for meetings internal and external to the Department; 
• Conducts special assignments, research/studies determined by the Director General;
• Provides ongoing planning and performance monitoring support for the office of the Director General. Monitors and evaluates the implementation of policies and strategies aimed at identifying and investigating actual and potential violations of the FID Act, POCA and other laws and regulations, and recommends changes as necessary; 
• Develops Terms of References (TORs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and related agreements to facilitate collaboration and sharing of resources with local, regional and international organizations; 
• Collaborates with the FID’s Directors and the Head of Communications and Public Relations in the Production of the annual reports for presentation to the Minister of Finance;
• Attends various meetings with internal and external agencies with and on behalf of the Director General. 

Provides technical support in the development and dissemination of information and Communication 

• Develops and maintains effective co-operative working relationships with all parties, both within and external to the Department, through the timely dissemination of FID information via seminars, workshops, press releases, FID website and circulars; 
• Collaborates with and participates in discussions related to the operations of the
• Department and ensures relevant material is disseminated to the appropriate entities;
• Develops presentations and materials that promote public awareness and understanding of financial crimes, and the importance of their elimination from society; 
• Monitors levels of compliance and provides guidance, under the direction of the DG, to financial institutions and designated non-financial institutions regarding their obligations under the FID Act and related legislation; 
• Plans, co-ordinates and conducts outreach activities geared at improving the awareness of financial institutions and related stakeholders to their compliance requirements, as well as to the role of FID; 
• Develops and maintains an effective public information programme for the Department;
• Collaborates with the Communications and Public Relations Branch in the:
  • Development and implementation of a positive public relations brand for the Department; 
  • Production of the annual reports for presentation to the Minister of Finance;
  • Development of publications, presentations and press releases
  • Production of draft responses for the DG in relation to public concern issues; 
  • Drafting of communication materials that promote the image of the FID including newsletters, bulletins, etc.; 
• Prepares and evaluates of statistical data from the various Branches for publication on the FID’s website as well as in the Annual and other reports; 

Human Resources 

• Provides leadership to staff through effective objective setting, delegation and communication;
• Manages the welfare and development of direct reports through the preparation of performance appraisals and recommendation of required training and development programmes; 
• Develops and reviews the Department’s policies, procedures and systems to meet the Ministry’s goals and objectives; 
• Provides guidance to staff through coaching, mentoring and training, providing assistance and support as needed, as well as participate in disciplinary matters for the Department’s staff in accordance with the Ministry’s policies and procedures; 
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of staff for the Department; 
• Ensures that staff is aware of and adheres to the policies, procedures and regulations of the Department; 
• Ensures that the staff have sufficient and appropriate physical resources to undertake their duties efficiently and effectively; 
• Maintains effective working relations with external and internal stakeholders and customers, thus ensuring that the department provides a consistently high level of service to them. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core 

• Flexibility & Adaptability 
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking 
• Stewardship Responsibility & Accountability 
• Communication 
• Teamwork 
• Emotional Intelligence 
• Relationship Building & Networking 
• Innovative Thinking 
• Results-Oriented 
• Change Leadership 
• Strategic Thinking 
• Team Leadership 

Knowledge 

• Sound knowledge of the policy development process; 
• Sound knowledge of research methodologies and planning techniques; 
• Sound knowledge of business process improvement tools; 
• Knowledge of the laws governing the operations of the FID and governing Jamaica’s AML/CFT framework 
• Excellent report writing skills; 
• Excellent judgment, decision making and problem-solving skills; 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; 
• Computer proficiency in the use of - databases, spreadsheets, electronic presentation packages, statistical and report writing software; 
• Knowledge of the financial regulatory framework including: 
  • Banking Act, the Financial Institutions Act, the Insurance Act, the Companies Act, the Bankruptcy Act and all other relevant legislation; 
  • the Corruption (Prevention) Act, Terrorism Prevention Act, Proceeds of Crime Act and other relevant legislation. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• BSc. in International Relations, Public Administration, Economics, Organizational Development, Criminal Justice, Law or related discipline with at least five (5) years' in a similar or related management position; 
• Training and experience in Statistics, Business Analysis, Project Management, or Organization Development; 
• Experience in research, statistics or management information systems.

Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

• May be required to work on weekends and public holidays 
• Potentially hostile working environment 
• Travel required 20 to 30 percent

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.