AEO Account Officer – Post Clearance Audit

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Account Officer/Supervisor Authorized Economic Operator, the Account Officer/Authorized Economic Operator is responsible to:

• Be the principal advisor and primary contact for assigned participants in the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.
• Implement AEO policies or systems that improve trade compliance, security, and integrity of the global supply chain while increasing border efficiency and Customs clearance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Analyses and resolves difficult and complex security problems affecting international commerce, ensuring compliance with the Customs Act and Regulations and other legislation, and guided by the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards by:
  • Maintaining the assigned AEO operator file and contact log.
  • Guiding potential AEO participants through the application process and helping with the completion of their security profile.
  • Collaborates with other JCA disciplines to create and implement comprehensive strategies to manage and segment risk, solve problems, and increase efficiencies.
  • Ensuring Customs laws, regulations, and security measures are followed without placing an undue burden on the flow of commerce.
  • Targeting and resolving common problem areas by conducting remedial programs with the AEO trade community, as appropriate.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the results of the remediation programs.
  • Initiating appropriate enforcement actions or referrals to other JCA disciplines if non-compliance persists.
  • Initiating response to all client communications, working on conflict resolution, and compliance for AEOs.
  • Reporting to the AEO Senior Account Officer, providing regular input on all significant account activities.
  • Ensuring that AEO issues are dealt with in an efficient manner, informing the AEO Senior Account Officer of any high profile or systemic problems that may arise.
  • Working closely with the other members of AEO team and other JCA disciplines to maintain a continuous knowledge of compliance status for security and trade compliance to identify potential issues and/or opportunities.
  • Ensuring that all recommended processes and procedures are completed, quality standards are met.
  • Providing regular two-way communication between the operator and team.
  • Monitoring cargo release for AEO companies and work with Customs and other agencies to resolve holds.
  • Reviewing importers’ /exporters’ security measures all along the supply chain. Identifies deficiencies and recommends corrections to/negotiates with importers/exporters to implement corrections.
  • Working with the applicant to develop and implement an AEO self-policing process to monitor and measure internal security procedures.
  • Assisting the applicant in developing and implementing a security training program focusing on the company’s logistics security processes and anti-smuggling concerns.
  • Assist with providing guidance, training, and direction to Customs employees, importers, carriers, brokers, other public agencies, and all other applicable sectors of the AEO program regarding program objectives, goals, and policies.
  • Assisting AEOs to develop and implement corrective action plans when needed.
  • Continuously promoting customs-to-business partnership with the Private Sector to improve and strengthen the AEO Programme.
  • Liaising with the Inter- Agency Comimttee to:
    • Conduct the risk assessment and background on all AEO Entities
    • Resolve issues/challenges/queries that the AEO participant may be encountering with these agencies regarding shipments for import/export
  • Assisting with capacity building for all JCA staff through coaching, mentoring and short training sessions.
  • Performing reasonable problem resolution for AEOs consistent with JCA’s mission.
  • Conducting validation exercises on all eligible AEOs and making recommendations for admittance, retention, suspension, and revocation of AEO status for their accounts.
  • Conducting awareness management sessions for private sector.
  • Facilitating work benches with both the public and private sectors.
  • Assist with communicating and consulting with and educating public and private sectors in matters relating to the AEO Programme.

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Maintains customer service principles, standards, and measurements.
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers
• 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.
• Complies with Health & Safety Policies & Procedures.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, planning, and organizing skills.
• Strong judgement and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and human relations skills.
• Sound knowledge and proficiency in report writing.
• Excellent negotiating skills.
• Good investigative /interviewing techniques.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative with little supervision.
• High confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to display high confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.

Technical

• Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs operations and other tax legislation and their impact on business, trade and economics.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of Security and Integrity Standards relating to Customs Administrations and logistics Management.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Risk Management techniques, applicable information related to logistics, security of the supply chain (e.g. the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards).
• Sound understanding and experience in the management of limited resources to achieve challenging output targets.
• Understanding of the application of information technology solutions to organizational problems and the fundamentals of business processing reengineering.
• Understands the principles of project management.
• Competent knowledge of ASYCUDA, and JCA expert systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Customs Act and Regulations.
• Working knowledge of related Acts and Regulations e.g. Bureau of Standards Act.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• First degree in Business Administration, Accounting, International Relations, Auditing, or equivalent qualification.
• Training in Supply Chain Security and or Supply Chain Management and Logistics.
• At least three (3) years’ experience in the Customs Administration including experience in the application of the Customs Act and related legislation, along with two (2) years in auditing techniques.
• Knowledge of the Revenue Administration Act, Tax laws, Security and Integrity Papers and legislations.
• Specialized knowledge and training in customs administration and operations.
• Specialized knowledge and training in supply chain security and risk management techniques.

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 represent the Agency at conferences, seminars, and meetings.
• Extensive degree of travelling required island-wide to monitor activities of AEO Entities and/or lead investigations.
• Possible exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by HRMD