Job offer: Director, Internal Investigations and Acis

OrganisationJamaica Customs AgencyReferenceVAC-52004Contract TypeFull-TimeIndustriesGovernment & Public SectorLocationKingstonSalary & Benefits$9,401,821 annuallyDate Posted11/09/2024Expiry Date30/09/2024The Director, Internal Investigations & ACIS conducts investigations of misconduct, formulates strategies, manages reviews and complaints, implements security measures, and assists with the Integrity Strategy's implementation.

 

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director, Internal Affairs, the Director, Internal Investigations & ACIS will be responsible to:

• Conduct investigations of incidents of professional misconduct and plausible suspicions of lawbreaking attributed to officers of the Agency.
• Formulate strategies for improving administrative procedures and operational guidelines.
• Manage the processing of clients’ and stakeholders’ requests for review, complaints, and enquiries regarding decisions taken by Customs Officers.
• Implement internal security measures and programmes.
• Assist with coordinating the implementation and monitoring of the Integrity Strategy, jointly with the Integrity Committee and the Border Protection Unit.

 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Manages the investigations of incidents of professional misconduct and plausible suspicions of lawbreaking attributed to officers in the Agency by:
  • Planning, directing, controlling, and coordinating the processing of cases referred to the Branch for review of decisions taken by Customs Officers, complaints and enquiries and mitigation penalties.
  • Establishing policies and procedures to strengthen case management administration and operational guidelines.
  • Overseeing interviews of accused officers to obtain responses to accusations.
  • Where necessary, ensuring the recording of interviews and preparing charges and responses to tasks.
  • Oversee the conducting of investigations to establish facts supporting the complainant or accused, using supportive information from witnesses or tangible evidence.
  • Ensuring that reports of findings are written from the investigation results and submitting reports to the commanding officer for review.
  • Evaluating each case and finding suitable solutions to resolve each issue, if possible before the finalisation of decisions or appeal procedures are reached; and,
  • Overseeing reversal of decisions, where appropriate, and articulating and documenting rationale used to arrive at conclusions/decisions.
• Manages the implementation of an integrity strategy that informs the focus of operational activities in collaboration with the Integrity Committee and the Border Protection Division by:
  • Formulating strategies for improving operational efficiencies by implementing corrective measures and revising policies and procedures.
  • Guiding the development and implementation of integrity strategies that inform the focus of the Agency’s operational activities. 
  • Overseeing the maintenance of the Agency’s anti-corruption policy, standards, and procedures.
  • Maintaining inter-agency relations with integrity-related agencies
  • Directing the formulation of strategies to ensure staff compliance with integrity submissions and requirements.
  • Directing the assessment and analysis of vulnerabilities for treatment to support the integrity of the Agency’s staff, processes, and systems.
  • Managing the development and implementation process of the mechanisms to measure and monitor the progress of programme objectives. 
  • Providing technical guidance on developing and implementing corruption prevention strategies and anti-corruption-related matters and initiatives to private sector customers and other public entities.
  • Representing the Agency and participating in international organisation meetings, seminars and workshops as required to discuss Jamaica Customs’ concerns, challenges, opinions, and positions on safeguarding against corrupt activities and promoting the integrity of the Agency. 
  • Delivers support and coordinated focus within the management core to promote cultural awareness of anti-corruption throughout the organisation.
  • Presenting reports on identifying and assessing how changes in government policies/procedures could impact anti-corruption initiatives.
  • Presenting submissions to the Senior Director, Interna Affairs and HRM&D on corruption matters to review and update anti-corruption policies, formulate recommendations, and resolve areas of ambiguity as required.
  • Reviewing and approving the adjustment of integrity programme activities to monitor and measure effectiveness.
  • Providing integrity assurance of all anti-corruption activities carried out by the branch staff and ensuring that all anti-corruption activities are executed by the Agency and GOJ standards and policies.

Human Resource Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day guidance and manage the section activities and operations.
• Monitor and evaluate the performances of direct reports, prepare performance appraisals, and recommend and indicate corrective actions where necessary to improve performance and attain established personal and organisational goals.
• Undertaking human resource management-related functions, including staff selection, training, and discipline by the Agency’s policies and procedures, and convening staff meetings to discuss issues and matters/challenges that impact the Section’s performance to determine appropriate solutions.
• Participates in staff recruitment for the section and recommends transfer, 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 unit are identified and addressed.
• Recommend disciplinary action where necessary in respect of direct reports.

Management/Administrative Responsibilities

• Ensures that all required processes, systems, and controls are in place within the Section to achieve its objectives and ensure the effective and efficient use of resources effectively and efficiently.
• Ensures the timely delivery of the Section’s responsibilities to the JCA’s annual corporate planning and budgeting process.
• Ensures that appropriate communication and knowledge management systems are in place within the Section and with other internal or external Units and Divisions/Branches to facilitate the sharing of relevant information in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ensures that the Section’s work is adequately documented to facilitate the development of operational manuals, outlining applicable policies and procedures for the operational activities, with the view to amalgamating them into a single Operations Handbook for Jamaica Customs.
• 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

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Maintains customer service principles, standards, and measurements.
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers in business process design.
• Ensures critical success factors are identified and meet expectations.

Other Responsibilities

• Performs all other duties and functions as may be required from time to time.
• May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence.
• Enforces Health & Safety Policies & Procedures and mitigates and minimises workplace hazards.

 

Required Competencies

Core

• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills 
• Solid decision-making, planning, organisation, and time management skills.
• Exceptional written, presentation and oral communication skills and experience appropriate to executive and board-level reporting and presentation.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with technical and non-technical staff, including executive management, in a fast-paced environment.
• Expert-level interviewing skills with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent research, analytical and investigative skills
• Ability to display high ethics, confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity.
• Ability to work independently to make critical decisions and analyse complex issues.
• Good staff management and work coordination skills.
• Strong personal effectiveness
• Good industrial relations skills

Technical

• Excellent knowledge of case management, intelligence gathering and investigation techniques and practices.
• Excellent knowledge of governmental policies, practices and procedures on customs administration and operations.
• Excellent knowledge of legal requirements of the Customs Act and other related Acts.
• Working knowledge of investigations, including forensic accounting and computer analysis.
• Working knowledge of the relevant computer systems and applications.

 

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Public Administration or Management Studies or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences with at least six years of experience: (3) years experience in national security, intelligence, or investigative fields, and (3) years in the managerial level.

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or Management Studies or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences with at least ten years of experience: (5) years experience in national security, intelligence, or investigative fields, and (5) years in the managerial level.
• Supervisory Management training and experience.
• Specialized knowledge and training in customs administration, policing, intelligence gathering, and coordination.
• Experience in applying the Customs Act and related legislation would be advantageous

 

Special Conditions Associated with The Job

• Work will be conducted in an office with standard office equipment and specialised software. 
• The environment is fast-paced, with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines, resulting in high degrees of pressure on occasions.
• May be required to travel locally and overseas to attend conferences, seminars, and meetings.
• Fair travelling required (>40%) periodically to investigate and review operational activities. 
• May be required to work long hours (>50 hours weekly) over protracted periods.
• May be exposed to threats and hazardous substances based on locations visited sometimes to investigate operational breaches.