Customs/Incentives Officer

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direct supervision of the Supervisor, Incentives Monitoring, the Customs/Incentives Officer is responsible for:

• Monitoring and controlling all goods imported on an exempt duty basis and managing all enterprises approved under the Incentives legislation.
• Facilitating trade by providing strategic and tactical guidance to ensure the efficient and effective control of incentives and concessions.
• Optimising revenue by providing strategic and tactical guidance on an appropriate risk-based approach to the monitoring of incentives; and,
• Creating and maintaining an effective deterrent against persons committing customs offences by misusing incentives and optimising revenue declared and collected.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Conducts inspection and examination of factories and other incentives enterprises to ensure that the conditions under which duty exempt goods were entered are being adhered to:
  • Export incentives factories.
  • 807 enterprises.
  • other enterprises in receipt of duty exemptions.
• Takes machinery and equipment inventories, including motor vehicles imported by factories and incentives enterprises. Monitor the use and disposal of such machinery and equipment.
• Maintain records:
  • For raw materials approved or disallowed as claimed by importers.
  • Of reports/files on each visit to factories and other business enterprises.
• Ensures that records necessary for the proper accounting for goods received under duty concessions are being maintained by importers/end users.
• Monitors and controls transfer of finished goods and raw materials, particularly goods subject to minimum bread-down criteria.
• Assists other Officers in vetting various entries, C78, C5 (copies) to detect short payment of duty and other discrepancies for audit/investigation.
• Verifies and approves standards for raw material input manufactured goods.
• Checks and accepts average duty paid schedules as the basis for refunds of duty claimed on the drawback.
• Checks and verifies claims for raw materials drawback and claims under the Duty Suspension Scheme.
• Examine and certify shipments of goods exported under the Drawback/Duty Suspension Scheme.
• Conducts special investigations on reports/correspondence referred to the Incentives Branch.
• Investigates cases of breach of the Acts and Regulations governing incentives control.
• Investigates requests from the EEC relative to duty-free goods imported from Jamaica to satisfy the rules of origin for EEC/LO E exemptions treatment.
• Assists Auditors in conducting certain aspects of auditing, e.g., stock-taking.
• Monitors the operations of In-bond Duty-free Shops.

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.
• Compiles with Health & Safety Policies & Procedures.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent analytical, decision making, planning, and organising skills
• Excellent communication and human relations skills
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Strong judgment, problem-solving and analytical skills, and ability to think strategically
• Ability to display high levels of confidentiality, ethics, integrity, and professionalism
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people, including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds

Technical

• Expert knowledge of the Incentive Scheme Act and legislation.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs and other tax laws and legislation and their impact on business, trade, and economics.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs Operations.
• Good understanding and technical knowledge of Classification and Valuation procedures
• Sound accounting and auditing skills.
• Well-developed IT skills, including the capacity to use ICT based analytical tools.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• First degree in Management Studies, Business Administration, or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences.
• At least 1 year of experience in an operational position, including experience in applying the Customs Act and related legislation.
• Specialized training in Customs Administration.
• Knowledge of the Incentives Scheme Act and supporting legislation.
• Training in auditing.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Work will be conducted in various offices with standard office equipment and specialised software.
• Involves working in a fast-paced environment with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders.
• May have exposure to deplorable and hazardous conditions.
• Travel required (25%).
• May be required to work beyond regular working hours, on-call twenty-four (24) hours.