Senior Director, Agricultural Policy Development & Evaluation (GMG/SEG 5)

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Principal Director, Agricultural Economic Planning & Policy Development (GMG/SEG 6), the Senior Director, Agricultural Policy Development & Evaluation (GMG/SEG 5), is responsible for overseeing and directing the staff of the Agricultural Policy Development & Evaluation Section in developing, formulating, analysing, evaluating, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring policies for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The incumbent will review policies in relation to other policies and programmes in order to make recommendations impacting policy development within the Ministry, leads the discussion on policy evaluation and operationalization, and oversees key policy perspective sharing across the Ministry and its Agencies, while also focusing on emerging issues facing the Agricultural Sector. 

There is also the requirement to formulate technical papers and reports as well as to provide expert and authoritative technical advice to the Principal Director, Chief Technical Director, Permanent Secretary, and other senior officers. 

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative: 

• Develops and implements the strategic vision for the Branch. 
• Establishes priorities, sets objectives and goals, and ensures the achievement of targets.
• Institutes measures for adherence to international best practices and standards that protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information and data.
• Keeps abreast of current developments in the assigned areas of responsibility to guide the work of the Branch. 
• Ensures that the Budgets, work programmes, Corporate and Operational Plans are accurate and consistent with organizational priorities. 
• Monitors and controls the implementation of Budgets, Operational and Work Plans to ensure that work is carried out as planned, within budget, and that agreed targets are met
• Liaises with stakeholders and establishes strong linkages and partnerships with internal and external users to ensure that stakeholders’ needs are met. 
• Ensures that all the required processes, systems, and controls are in place to enable the achievement of the Branch’s objectives 
• Investigates complaints from clients and effects the required corrective measures.
• Supervises the preparation of reports to the Principal Director, Permanent Secretary, Senior Executives and other relevant stakeholders; 
• Convenes and attends internal committee meetings to address policy matters and executes directives as necessary; 
• Represents the MoAF on committees and at meetings, webinars, seminars and conferences locally or overseas and makes presentations, as required.

Technical/Professional: 

• Provides leadership and direction in the management and development of the Branch.
• Provides policy and technical advice and support to the Principal Director on policy matters. 
• Conducts background policy research and analysis to support existing policies as well as proposals for new policies. 
• Reviews and synthesizes research findings to identify and recommend best practices.
• Extracts, collects, and aggregates data across databases, information sources, survey responses, and other data sources; ensures data quality and examines for consistency and accuracy. 
• Proactively identifies and proposes alternatives to improve the stability, performance, and accuracy of the data. 
• Designs, develops, and implements a Policy Development and Evaluation Framework and related systems, regulations, and guidelines for the sectors encompassed by the MOAF.
• Ensures that the Framework is tested, refined, and fully implemented.
• Leads in the development and implementation of policies for the Agricultural Sector.
• Conducts policy analyses and makes recommendations on issues impacting industrial development (including but not limited to productivity, labour and incentives).
• Prepares technical responses to requests for comments on policy proposals from various Government entities. 
• Monitors the implementation of policies, sector strategies and priority programmes.
• Participates in the development of agricultural policies for Agencies under the purview of the Ministry. 
• Identifies indicators to evaluate the impact of agricultural related policies and makes recommendations for adjustments, as necessary. 
• Develops performance indicators and programme evaluation criteria and methods to track policy impact. 
• Tracks the implementation of policy in order to ensure that objectives are met in accordance with prescribed priorities and performance benchmark. 
• Reviews Cabinet Memoranda and Policy Papers on relevant Ministry’s policy issues;
• Analyses the effects of policy proposals and amendments on Government and Ministry initiatives. 
• Reviews a range of background data and information; develops policies for the enhancement of the Sector and the sustainable development of the economy.
• Monitors the impact of current policies, strategies, and plans on the Sector.
• Monitors policy trends and new developments in the Sector to ascertain the need for changes in policies or formulation of new ones. 
• Liaises with various representatives of the Divisions and Departments of the MoAF and other Ministries/Agencies and representatives of the Private Sector in the development of policies. 
• Develops policies and programmes for the Sector which are consistent with the National Plan. 
• Analyses progress reports submitted by various Divisions and determines the need for additional information and advises accordingly. 
• Liaises with Senior Legal Officer concerning amendments to existing legislation, as necessitated by policy changes. 
• Conceptualizes and develops policy proposals. 
• Develops policy options, researches their potential effectiveness and impact and makes recommendations for new policies. 
• Reviews feasibility studies, quantitative, qualitative, and a range of analyses and provides timely and accurate reports and briefs for submission to the Principal Director on current and emerging issues impacting the Agricultural Sector. 
• Submits to the Principal Director, CTD, and Permanent Secretary recommendations for changes in policies based on economic, social, environmental, and global conditions.
• Recommends the revision of policy guidelines in order to meet sectoral changes.
• Contributes professional expertise and policy experience and support to the Principal Director and team members, when needed. 
• Coordinates and prepares information for local and international agencies, including CARICOM, IICA, CARDI, FAO and WTO. 
• Writes Cabinet Submissions, Cabinet Notes, papers, studies, and briefs, as required.
• Develops presentations for diverse audiences and develops, formats for reports, charts /or graphs for varying documents and written and oral presentations for both internal and external audiences.
• Establishes and maintains excellent relationships with Private and Public Sector representatives and builds stakeholder networks to facilitate the collection and exchange of information; 
• Develops performance indicators and programme evaluation criteria and approves methods to evaluate and track policy impact. 
• Tracks the implementation of policies in order to ensure that objectives are met in accordance with prescribed priorities and performance benchmarks. 
• Monitors the database of policy issues and actions taken by the MoAF.
• Advises the Principal Director on potential policy problems and risks in a timely manner and proposes solutions. 
• Determines the need for further policy research. 
• Co-ordinates and manages stakeholder consultations to resolve policy conflicts.
• Determines policy matters that are lagging and takes corrective measures.
• Co-ordinates and collaborates with the Human Resource Team on the seminars, 
• workshops, and conferences for internal and external stakeholders to create awareness of the procedures involved in policy development, monitoring, and analysis.
• Keeps abreast of best practices, trends, and developments in policy development and evaluation processes for their adoption, when necessary. 

Human Resources 

• Provides guidance to staff through coaching, mentoring, training and development initiatives. 
• Provides leadership to direct reports through effective planning, delegation and communication. 
• Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance in attaining personal and organizational goals. 
• Recommends transfer, promotion, termination and leave for staff in accordance with established human resources, policies and procedures; and 
• Ensures that the welfare and developmental needs of staff 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 organization’s goals
• Performs other related duties that may be assigned by the Principal Director from time to time. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and people management skills 
• Excellent leadership and management skills 
• Excellent analytical thinking skills 
• Excellent presentation and influencing skills. 
• Highly developed problem-solving and decision-making skills 
• Strong research skills. 
• Highly developed planning and organizing skills. 
• Ability to exercise good judgement and initiative 
• Ability to work effectively in a team and to work independently. 
• Must maintain a strict code of ethics in working with highly confidential data 

Technical: 

• Advanced technical report writing and editing skills. 
• Highly developed change management skills 
• Good knowledge of the policies and procedures of the MoAF 
• Sound knowledge of national policy environment and issues 
• Sound knowledge of international best practices and trends in agricultural, policy issues.
• Good knowledge of public sector laws, regulations, and guidelines. 
• Knowledge of modern approaches to policy research, development, and analysis.
• Must maintain a strict code of ethics in working with highly confidential data.
• Sound knowledge of the GOJ Public Service Regulations and related legislation and guidelines 
• Proficiency in the use of software relevant to the functions of the post.

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Management Studies, or equivalent qualification/training
• Training in Policy Development 
• Three (3) years related experience in a comparable working environment. OR 
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Management Studies, or equivalent qualifications/training
• Training in Policy Development 
• Five (5) years related experience in a comparable working environment.

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• May be required to work for extended hours to meet programme deadlines.
• Required to travel island-wide, including travel to remote locations. 
• May be required to work for extensive periods in the field. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.