Job offer: Principal Director, Msme, Industry and Emerging Sector Development and Iso

OrganisationMinistry of Industry, Investment and CommerceReferenceVAC-52203Contract TypeFull-TimeIndustriesGovernment & Public SectorLocationKingstonSalary & Benefits$9,401,821 - $12,644,404 per annumDate Posted30/09/2024Expiry Date16/10/2024Develops and manages business projects, provides expert guidance in industrial development and MSMEs, promotes ISO standards, oversees procurement systems, and supports trade expansion, while managing staff and operations effectively.

 

Job Purpose

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce is seeking a motivated and talented individual to appoint as Principal Director for Micro, Small, and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs), Industry, Emerging Sector, and ISO. Reporting directly to the Chief Technical Director, the Principal Director must provide guidance, leadership and monitoring of activities related to the development of MSMEs, industry, emerging sectors and quality management systems. The Principal Director will develop and deliver strategies and programmes to promote business growth and development which will result in increased exports of goods and services. 

 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional:

• Develop and produce proposals to support project funding in support of business and industry development projects and initiatives. 
• Provide expert guidance and advice in industrial development, implementation of ISO standards and MSMEs focal area. 
• Initiate, plan and manage activities to generate interest and awareness of business development opportunities.
• Help to institutionalize a system for the on-going promotion of procurement of goods, works, and services from local businesses to create demand and reduce imports
• Develop and manage a system for the tracking and reporting of government procurement under the special and differential treatment mechanism and other related initiatives.
• Influence the development of projects and programmes for the provision of business development services to the MSMEs.
• Define and set targets for the achievement of plans for the MSME sector, in accordance with the revised MSME Policy and Implementation Plan.
• Develop initiatives to strengthen the Ministry’s leadership of the MSME sector, in collaboration with key private and public sector stakeholders.
• Give advice on resolving complex issues affecting data and information management for the MSME sector and selected industries. 
• Influence resource mobilization for the implementation of ISO standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 17020, and ISO 17025 across the public and private productive sectors.
• Promote the implementation of ISO quality systems to medium-sized entities particularly those with a focus on export enterprises.
• Encourage different target groups to implement ISO quality standards, as may be applicable to them.
• Support ISO 9001 certified entities to implement productivity interventions/streamline processes and enhance productivity.
• Oversee a system that requires ISO certified agencies to continually eliminate non-value-added elements of their standard operating procedures and report on them to improve the business environment. 
• Provide expert advice on the development of policies and strategies for the manufacturing sector, services sector, craft industries, etc., as well as emerging sectors.
• Oversee the full life cycle of projects, from identifying new opportunities, evaluating, developing, marketing, negotiating, managing risk to closing, as required.
• Support Jamaican companies seeking to access incentives and benefits under existing trade agreements, working in collaboration with relevant MDAs and the private sector.
• Support other Divisions of the Ministry when engaging with relevant Ministries, Agencies and Departments, and regional and international organizations to provide input and delivery on market access barriers issues, internationalization of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and expansion of trade in services.
• Schedule and participate in events, conferences, exhibitions, presentations, roadshows, and meetings to promote business and industry development.
• Develop and maintain relevant high-level professional networks and relationships in local, regional and international markets for the benefit of Jamaican businesses, agencies, institutions, and other organizations.
• Actively apply sound business practices and maintain accuracy of information in all interactions to deliver accurate and timely reporting and effective relationship management.
• Utilize networks and relationships to facilitate business relationships between Jamaica and local and international agencies, institutions, and companies.
• Lead consultations on ISO, MSME policy, business development, emerging industry development and industry growth with stakeholders at a national, regional, and international level, in keeping with GOJ policies.
• Oversee the monitoring of assigned agencies within the Ministry to ensure compliance with GOJ’s policies and guidelines and with the public investment and procurement framework regarding projects.
• Prepare and review Cabinet Submissions, Notes, Briefs, Reports and Position Papers to facilitate the implementation of policies, projects, legislation that support improvement of the business environment.
• Introduce and maintain systems for data and information collection, sharing and dissemination, analysis, and reporting.
• Oversee research and special studies in support of emerging industries development.
• Monitor agreements to ensure compliance with deadlines and in accord with the stated objectives.
• Oversee the formulation, review and implementation of relevant policies, strategies, rules, regulations, systems, and procedures for the respective portfolios.

Management/Administrative: 

• Prepare and oversee preparation of Reports to Ministers other Ministries, Permanent Secretary, Chief Technical Director, Agencies and international meetings and conferences. 
• Oversee the development and implementation of Strategic Business/ Operational Plans, Budget, and Individual Work Plans.
• Ensure Operational Plan of the assigned Units and Divisions are technically sound, and that objectives set are achievable and consistent with overall policy directive. 
• Represent the Minister, Permanent Secretary and Chief Technical Director at meetings, conferences, workshops, and seminars relevant to the Division’s roles and functions. 
• Review Annual Reports from agencies and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure that policies and programmes of the assigned Units and Divisions as well as agencies and projects are administered efficiently to achieve set targets.

Human Resources:

• Manage the welfare and development of direct reports through the preparation of Performance Appraisals and recommendation of required training and development programmes.
• Provide leadership to staff through effective objective setting, delegation, and communication.
• Promote a work environment that encourages continuous learning and new skill development.
• Provide guidance to staff through coaching, mentoring, training, assistance and support as needed.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
• Ensure that staff are aware of and adhere to the policies, procedures and regulations of Division, the Ministry, and the Government.
• Initiate disciplinary proceedings where appropriate.
• Ensure that the staff have sufficient and appropriate physical resources to undertake their duties efficiently and effectively.
• Convene regular staff meetings and ad hoc meetings as necessary to discuss job scheduling and any other issues/problems and provide solutions that facilitate the achievement of objectives.
• Maintain effective working relations with external and internal stakeholders and customers, to ensure a consistently high level of service from the Division.

 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

Core:

• Excellent leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Negotiating skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Customer and quality focus
• Time management

Technical:

• Knowledge of development economics, development issues, and successful strategies implemented by developing countries 
• Experience in managing development interventions
• Ability to manage conflicting and complex demands and priorities, work at pace, flexibly and under pressure and make effective decisions.
• Experience of a successful leadership role in a complex organization, providing strategic prioritization and clear evidence of empowering others to achieve organizational goals.
• Significant experience in and/or high-level understanding of the standards, trade and investment activities in the priority industry sectors for Jamaica.
• Experience working with international development partners and preparing project proposals and grant funding documents. 
• Ability to apply conceptual and critical thinking skills to analyze and resolve complex issues. 
• Proven knowledge of investment, commerce and trade issues and the overall Jamaican business environment.
• Excellent knowledge of Jamaica Promotions Act, Investment Incentives Act and other relevant legislation
• Knowledge of Jamaica’s trade agreements and international obligations 
• Strong ability to build networks and develop collaborative relationships internally and between industry, Government, community, and other stakeholders.
• Strong ability to lead a team through empowering and encouraging them to take responsibility and achieve results.
• Capacity to foster and sustain strategic relationships with Ministry and Agency heads, private sector representatives and other stakeholders on quality systems, Micro, Small, and medium size Enterprise (MSME), industry, emerging sectors and generally standard related issues.
• Strong knowledge of Quality systems and procedures.
• Possess the ability to collect and analyse ISO quality systems data from various sources, conduct research and develop proposals and plans to enhance efficiency, including productivity methodologies, data collection, protocols, assessments analyses, evaluating and reporting.
• Proven knowledge of gap audits to identify areas of improvement, providing actionable recommendations, analysing and writing reports.
• Must be able to effectively represent the Ministry's interest and positions at local and international conferences, meetings and other fora and presenting paper as required.

 

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience

• Graduate or post-graduate qualification in Development Economics, International Business, Economics/Finance, Business Administration, or related areas.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years’ experience in a Senior Management position
• At least three (3) years of experience developing policies/strategies for businesses and industries.

 

 

Please note that we thank all for responding, but only short-listed applicants will be contacted.