International Trade Relations Officer (GMG/SEG 1)

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional 

• Examines and actions decisions made by the Council for Trade and 
• Economic Development (COTED); 
• Reviews policies, submissions, documents, Free trade Agreements etc.;
• Makes recommendations based on sound research; 
• Provides advice to Customs and other appropriate clients; 
• Analyzes requests for waiver of additional import duties; 
• Makes the necessary recommendation through the Director for consideration;
• Prepares letters advising applicants and the relevant Revenue Department of the decision and where required convey decision by phone also; 
• Receives requests for information, conducts research and provide same;
• Discusses with Director, where necessary for direction; 
• Conducts research to provide the Director with the information to facilitate preparation of reports, briefs and policy papers; 
• Provides accurate and timely information to members of the public, 
• Public and Private sector entities, on matters relating to the CET and additional stamp duty;
• Ensures that all requests for information/reports/documents are produced and disseminated to various clients within the time and with the quality specified; 
• Ensures that clients of the Branch are politely and courteously dealt with via telephone, email or by any other means of communication; 
• Participates in meetings; 
• Liaises with the different stakeholders; 
• Ensures the flow of information is maintained both internally and externally;
• Keeps abreast as to environmental developments; 
• Develops and maintains a database of applicants receiving CET Suspensions;
• Prepares monthly reports. 

Management/Administrative 

• Prepares Individual Work Plans; 
• Assists in ensuring that the Branch has sufficient and appropriate physical resources to enable the staff to perform their duties efficiently and effectively; 
• Participates in regular staff meetings and ad-hoc meetings, as necessary to discuss task scheduling and any other issues/problems that impact the Branch so as to provide solutions to achieve objectives; 
• Maintains effective working relationships with external and internal stakeholders and clients, ensuring that the Branch provides a consistently high level of service to them. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Sound knowledge of tax laws and treaties 
• Sound knowledge of taxation policies 
• A sound working knowledge of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements to which Jamaica is signatory 
• Strong knowledge of direct and indirect taxes as well as emerging taxes 
• Working knowledge in Human Resource Management practices. 
• Strong research and analytical skills 
• Sound knowledge of computer applications 
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Possess and exercise high integrity and ethical standards 
• High attention to detail/ focus 
• Problem Solving and Analysis – Possess the ability to identify and analyze work related problems and generate innovative or appropriate solutions 
• Communication –Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• Initiative – Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment 
• Integrity – Possess the ability to act within guidelines, honesty, conduct business transactions, and treat these in a confidential manner.
• Interpersonal Skills – Possess the ability to interact co-operatively with others and to build long term internal and external relationships; extensive network of professional contacts in the government and tax space 
• Time Management – Superior time management skills with respect tosetting priorities and managing multiple workflows against tight deadlines. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• BSc. Degree in Economics, International Relations or International Trade or equivalent
• One (1) years’ experience in Foreign Affairs/Trade or other related areas. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• Pressured working conditions with numerous critical deadlines; 
• Managing multiple complex assignments; 
• Required to work abnormal working hours; 
• May be required to travel both locally and oversees on official work related business. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.