Job Purpose
The Principal Director, Transport Policy (International and Land) is responsible for the provision of policy advice; the development, implementation and monitoring of the Transport and Road Safety policies and activities; the preparation and update of legislation and standards to enable the Ministry to deliver seamless, integrated, multimodal transport services across Jamaica.
Key Responsibilities
Management/Administrative:
- Participates in the strategic planning process of the Ministry;
- Ensures the alignment of Branch Operational Plans with the strategic objectives and priority programmes of the Ministry;
- Monitors the implementation of transport and road safety policies and recommends effective changes, where necessary, to achieve desired results;
- Prepares technical briefs for the Ministry as required;
- Prepares and submits pertinent reports, as required, and ensures timely submission of all documents/ information requested of the Branch;
- Manages the Secretariat for the Air Policy Committee;
- Represents the GOJ at relevant meetings of the ICAO, IMO, The UN and other international organizations, securing our presence in the international transport arena; Prepares Branch Plans and Budget.
Technical/Professional:
- Leads in the formulation and development of strategic transport and road safety policies, legislation and regulations, in line with international, national, regional and local legislation, policies and best practices;
- Guides implementation approaches for Jamaica’s land and maritime policies and issues;
- Provides technical advice on transport and road safety issues as they relate to policy development;
- Provides policy oversight to the transport portfolio entities;
- Consults with Ministries, Departments and Agencies in preparing recommendations and action plans affecting international and domestic maritime policies and regulations and to achieve co-ordination, collaboration and integration of government policies;
- Negotiates bilateral and multilateral air and maritime service agreements and civil aviation relations with partners around the world;
- Collaborates with key stakeholders in Jamaica’s airlines, airports, seaports and other organizations to develop position papers, prepare background materials for negotiations. Issues may include air cargo and passenger service policies; border/port security; reviewing aviation environmental protection proposals; reviewing airline safety, security and facilitation actions and economic regulatory policies;
- Spearheads activities as required to ensure Jamaica’s compliance with international aviation and maritime treaties – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other Regional Bodies;
- Spearheads activities to raise Jamaica’s profile and visibility in the international land transport and road safety arena, including accession to and ratification of relevant treaties and conventions;
- Advances and articulates the relationship between aspects of the Trade Policy and Transport;
- Engages with key stakeholders, public and private, local and international, to facilitate the development of a competitive environment in Jamaica for shipping and related services and to facilitate the growth of the sector;
- Prepares updates and status reports for Permanent Secretary and the Honourable Minister as required;
- Collaborates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and trade officers in other MDAs to develop synergies within the transport sector;
- Oversees the development and implementation of mechanisms for effective monitoring and assessment of transport infrastructural projects in order to assure compliance.
- Directs and prepares the completion of Cabinet Submissions, Cabinet Notes and Ministry Papers on policy and development issues within the transport portfolio;
- Oversees the implementation of Cabinet Decisions which involves following up with entities, giving guidance, providing feedback and devising appropriate intervention to ensure effective implementation;
- Evaluates emerging strategic transport policies/legislation through the
- a) assessment of public response revealed through public consultation,
- b) policy compliance,
- c) accessibility assessments,
- d) assessment of benefits to users and non users and,
- e) financial and economic assessments;
- Develops the framework for the planning, implementation and monitoring of transportation and road safety strategies;
- Keeps abreast of developments and trends in local and international infrastructural transport development with a view to inform policy;
- Keeps abreast of cutting edge infrastructural transport machinery and road safety best practices to inform policy which would influence changes in behaviour;
- Provides interpretations and advice on policy and regulations to the Ministry, Departments and Agencies;
- Oversees and, if necessary, carries out transportation modeling in support of strategic transport policies, strategies and schemes;
- Liaises with the Attorney General’s Department and the Ministry’s Legal Services Branch in the development and revision of transport’s infrastructural policies and legislation; Keeps abreast of international treaties to ensure their translation and incorporation into the Ministry’s policies legislation and regulations;
- Represents and recommends the Ministry’s and by extension Jamaica’s policy positions on transportation at local and international fora;
- Provides policy advice to the Minister through briefs, reports, meetings, etc.;
- Facilitates and encourages stakeholder participation in the formulation of policy via public meetings etc.;
- Oversees research activities related into the effectiveness and efficiency of current legislation;
- Provides technical support to Cabinet sub-committees on various transport infrastructural matters.
Human Resource
- Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action where necessary to improve performance and/or attaining established personal and or organizational goals;
- Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division and recommends transfers, promotion, termination and leave in accordance with Human Resource policies and procedures;
- Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching;
- Ensures that the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Division are clearly identified and addressed;
- Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and Ministry’s goals.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
Core:
- Excellent leadership skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good problem solving skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strategic vision
- Team work and cooperation
- Excellent communication skills
Technical:
- Sound background in policy development
- In depth understanding in the legislative process
- Knowledge of prevailing social and economic factors impacting transport and road safety Experience in various resaerch and analytical methods
- Knowledge of relevant environment standards and regulations
- Experienced in the use of standard computer applications
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
- Masters Degree in Public Administration/Public Sector Management or Business Administration, or specialized transportation field;
- A minimum of eight (8) years experience in policy development or the transportation sector, with five (5) years at a middle management or senior management level.
- Training in research methodologies, policy formulation and management
- Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Special Conditions Associated with Job:
- Position requires undertaking local and overseas travel.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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