Job Purpose
Under the leadership and direction of the Director, Corporate Communications, Public Relations/Education (MCG/IE 6), the Manager, Public Relations/Education (MCG/IE 5) is responsible for the development and management of public relations and education programmes, which generate interest and awareness in the core functions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining. The incumbent will work closely with the Director, Corporate Communication, PR/Education and other managers in the Division to create a fully joined up approach to all MoAFM’s communications and public interface strategies.
Key Responsibilities
Management/Administrative:
- Participates in the strategic planning of Corporate Communications, PR/Education initiatives, ensuring clear evaluation frameworks are set to measure the impact;
- Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the overall plan for the section;
- Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences, as required;
- Prepares reports and programme documents, as required;
- Maintains customer service principles, standards and measurements.
Technical/Professional:
- Contributes significantly to the development and delivery of the MoAFM’s Public Relations and Education strategies;
- Develops and implements strategic public relations and education plans, programmes and projects to inform the public, to increase public understanding, and to obtain support and co-operation from the public;
- Collaborates with the Manager, Public Relations (Events & Protocol Services) in updating and maintaining the MoAFM’s calendar of events and connected matters;
- Develops public education and information materials, presentations and displays – including contributing to the MoAFM’s Newsletters, FAQs, fact sheets, media/new media outreach and website content;
- Facilitates resolution of complex issues by build strategic relationships with stakeholders and develops consensus;
- Organizes and participates at community outreach activities to educate the broader community about the MoAFM functions and programmes;
- Researches, writes and edits speeches for the Ministers, PS, CTDs and other senior executives for MoAFM events and various speaking engagements, including high impact internal and external audiences;
- Writes and distributes news releases and announces important MoAFM information and events;
- Manages media relations, including queries, press releases, interviews and placement of stories, press conferences and events for the MoAFM and its various Divisions on the local, national and international levels;
- Arranges interviews with Journalists and professional photo shoots for media publications and records special events;
- Organizes and represents the MoAFM at events including press conferences and launches, exhibitions, open days, functions and press tours etc.;
- Liaises with the Jamaica Information Service to secure special services such as airtime, photography, multimedia projection, etc.;
- Attends ministerial and executives speaking engagements on a regular basis and provides feedback to the Director, Corporate Communications, PR /Education;
- Ensures that all remarks and other public statements prepared for the Ministers, PS, CTDs, and other senior executives are accurate and aligns with the ethos of the Ministry;
- Manages the Organisation’s public relations buying budgets and operations;
- Produces special stories, feature articles and general information to the media upon request;
- Contributes in the planning and executing of external opinion surveys, including design & administration, as well as the collation and evaluation of feedback;
- Monitors the print, electronic and news media, and develops strategies for dealing with topical issues relevant to area of responsibility;
- Designs data collection procedures to facilitate the validation of quantitative and qualitative monitoring tools to support the Public Relation and education functions;
- Develops and maintains professional and effective working relationships with the media, civic communities and other interest groups to provide on-going information on the MoAFM’s activities and accomplishments;
- Keeps informed of developments in the Public Relations fields, and Government management to aid the MoAFM operating with initiative and innovation.
Human Resource:
- Provides management and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring, coaching and discipline;
- Evaluates and monitors the performance of staff in the Branch and implements appropriate strategies;
- Coordinates the development of individual work plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned;
- Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Branch;
- Recommends training, promotion and approves leave in accordance with established Human Resource Policies and Procedures;
- Identifies skills/competencies gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the division to ensure adequate staff capacity;
- Monitors the performance of staff and facilitates the timely and accurate completion of the staff annual performance appraisals and other periodic reviews;
- Ensures the well - being of staff supervised;
- Effect disciplinary measures in keeping with established guidelines/practices;
- Performs all other related duties and functions as may be required from time to time.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
Core:
- Excellent oral communication skills
- Excellent written communication and presentation skills
- Good planning and organizing skills
- Good leadership and people management skills
- Good analytical thinking skills
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Excellent customer and quality focus skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent teamwork and co-operation skills
- Ability to manage the client interface and external partnerships
- Of strong integrity
- Ability to apply initiative
- Compliance
- Good change management skills
Technical:
- Good knowledge of Public Relations and Education principles and practices
- Ability to foster and maintain a good working relationship with the media
- Good understanding of the machinery of Government, political processes and the requirements of Ministers and other officials
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other programme applications (PowerPoint and Publisher) appropriate to assigned responsibilities
- A strong sense of trust and a high level of confidentiality and integrity
- Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills with ability to consult and provide advice to all levels of the Organization
- Ability to work independently and contribute effectively as a Team Member to achieve goals
- Strong organizational and time management skills with an ability to prioritize and manage workload, meet deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Media/Communication Studies, Mass Communication or a related discipline;
- Four (4) years’ experience in a Public Relations/Media and Communications environment.
Special Conditions Associated with the Job
- Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software.
- The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines, which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions.
- Will be required to travel locally and internationally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
