JOB PURPOSE
The incumbent will be responsible to undertake Financial, Operational, Compliance, Information System and Value for Money audits of the Jamaica Customs Agency by:
- Managing the audit function within the Jamaica Customs Agency;
- Performing operational and financial audits of various functions within the Corporation to evaluate and determine the adequacy of internal control, helping ensure efficient and effective operating procedures are in place;
- Determining that the Jamaica Customs Agency operations are in accordance with the Customs Act and Regulations, GCT Act, Staff Orders, the World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines, International Standards Organization (ISO) and all other national and other international procedures that govern customs operations.
- Ensuring that accounting procedures are in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Instructions for Executive Agencies (FIEA), Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act, other relevant laws, rules and regulations governing Customs Administration and inter-agency functions executed as well as directives issued from time to time by the Ministry of Finance and Public Service.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical/Professional Responsibilities
Strategic QMS Leadership & Governance
- Lead the strategic implementation and continual improvement of JCA’s Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015), ensuring full compliance and alignment with both certification requirements and business objectives.
- Develop, review, and refine policies, procedures, standards and audit frameworks that support quality governance throughout JCA.
- Ensure that audit workplans and findings are formally incorporated into agency strategic risk assessments and management reviews.
- QMS Internal Audit Planning & Execution
- Design, coordinate, and lead a programme of internal ISO 9001 audits, including process audits, system-wide compliance reviews, and effectiveness assessments.
- Manage full audit cycles—planning, scope definition, riskbased audit testing, evidence collection, verification of nonconformities, and performance of rootcause analysis.
- Chair internal “mock audit” sessions and precertification reviews to prepare for external audits.
Nonconformity & Corrective Action Management
- Maintain the nonconformity database—track findings, monitor corrective/preventive action implementation, and verify closure with Certification Bodies or internal stakeholders.
- Lead rootcause analysis, develop corrective/preventive action plans in collaboration with process owners, and monitor effectiveness.
- Reporting, Documentation & Stakeholder Engagement
- Author comprehensive audit reports, papers, and boardlevel submissions for the Manager, QA Division or Planning & Research directorate.
- Present audit findings and quality improvement recommendations at Management Review meetings, workshops, and certification interface sessions.
- Act as liaison with external Certification Bodies, ensuring timely response to audit queries and active participation in recertification processes.
- Prepares reports summarizing audit findings, reviews them with management and makes recommendations to solve issues and problems. Identifies trends from audit results and works with process owners to develop solutions. Actively participates in the preparation of audit reports for senior management and the Audit Committee.
Training, Awareness & Culture Building
- Lead ISO QMS training programmes, process mapping and awareness sessions for staff across all levels.
- Mentor and coach Quality Assurance team members and junior auditors in ISO auditing techniques and correctiontracking processes.
- Promote and embed a culture of continuous improvement, customer focus, quality awareness, and QMS ownership throughout the Agency.
Risk Management & Performance Monitoring
- Conduct process and operational risk assessments (aligned with ISO 9001 risk-based thinking) to inform audit prioritisation and mitigation initiatives.
- Establish and monitor key quality performance indicators (KPIs): audit performance, nonconformity closure rates, corrective action effectiveness, internal control metrics.
- Support development and monitoring of divisional budgets and work plans tied to QMS performance goals.
Continuous Professional Development & Best Practices
- Keep updated on latest ISO auditing techniques and emerging international standards, attending relevant workshops, seminars, and certifications.
- Benchmark JCA’s QMS practices against regional and international standards and identify opportunities for best practice adoption.
Administrative & Operational Support
- Contribute to the Division’s operational planning, quarterly/annual reporting, and QA budget submissions.
- Ensure effective records management for audit documentation, working papers, nonconformity logs, and management review outputs.
- Represent JCA at stakeholder meetings, audits, quality forums, and inter-agency consultations when required.
- Assists in the evaluation of policies and procedures making recommendations to help ensure that process flow, accuracy and documentation of accounting records are improved and that there is compliance with laws and regulations.
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 meets expectations;
- Prepares quarterly and/or annually Customer Service reports in accordance with established standards
Other Responsibilities
- Performs all other duties and functions as may be required from time to time.
- Assists in planning and conducting the audit of the Agency’s Quality Management System.
- Examines and evaluates transactions and business processes, and identifies opportunities for enhancing compliance, internal controls and process efficiency and communicates results at all levels throughout the organization.
- Participates in the compliance programme working with process owners throughout the Agency to perform design and operating effectiveness tests
- Participates in Agency-wide risk assessment activities and ongoing development of the comprehensive audit plan.
- Keeps abreast of professional standards, and government regulations. Informs management of changes and provides recommendations for implementation.
- Researches laws, regulations, Agency policy and standards governing government accounting practices and procedures.
- Monitor Corrections and Corrective action plans submitted by the process owners
- Verify the accuracy of root cause analyses submitted by the process owners
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Core
- Excellent analytical, investigating and problem-solving skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills including report writing and presentation skills
- Excellent quality control and reviewing skills
- High degree of confidentiality and integrity
- Strong negotiating and resolving skills
- Strong interviewing techniques
- Strong human relations skills and ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, staff and external contacts and to work effectively in a professional team environment.
- Strong planning and organization skills.
- Good staff management and work coordination skill.
Technical
- Comprehensive knowledge of current auditing and accounting principles, practices, standards and techniques.
- Working knowledge of the Customs Act and Regulations and Customs Administration.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the Financial Instructions to Executive Agencies (FIEA) and Staff Orders.
- The Financial Administration and Audit Act Instructions (FAA Act) and other relevant accounting legislations.
- Working knowledge of the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF)
- Working knowledge of any automated working paper software.
- Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, Public Sector Management or related field.
- At least 4–5 years’ experience in quality assurance or auditing, including a minimum of 2 years at Level 5 or equivalent audit role.
- Certification in ISO 9001 auditing (e.g. Lead Auditor) and internal audit methodology (ISO 19011).
- Strong knowledge of Customs Act, Executive Agency Act, regulatory frameworks governing JCA operations.
- Excellent analytical, rootcause analysis, report-writing, and presentation skills; high proficiency in MS Office and audit support software.
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.
- May be required to travel locally and overseas to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.
- Capacity to travel locally/internationally as required, and to engage various stakeholder groups.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by HRMD
