Senior Director International Trade Relations (GMG/SEG 5)

Job Purpose

Under the general direction of the Deputy Financial Secretary, Taxation Policy, the Senior Director International Trade Relations, oversees the developments in International Trade Relations to ensure Taxation Policy is consistent with the obligations of Jamaica under various Treaties and Agreements, such as the WTO Agreement, the CARICOM Treaty as well as Agreements between CARICOM and other Third Party countries. This is in a bid to ensure that revenue is safeguarded and agreements reached do not conflict with National Tax Policies and, therefore, would not hinder Jamaica’s economic development policy. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical 

• Liaises with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, other Ministries and the Private Sector to ensure the position of the MOFPS is properly articulated; 
• Provides advice to the Minister, Financial Secretary through position papers etc.; 
• Leads on the delivery of international trade policy objectives as set out in the international strategy; 
• Leads on all international trade matters that affect taxes; 
• Reviews articles of Treaties and/or Free Trade Agreements that impact taxes; 
• Monitors World Trade Organization Agreements to ensure compliance; 
• Identifies breaches to Agreements and brings to the attention of the violating party; 
• Facilitates the review of the Jamaica Customs Tariff; 
• Implements the Revised Common External Tariff (CET) based on the updated Harmonized System (HS) of Classification; 
• Provides information on Trade through the conducting of Trade Research, Market Intelligence, Market Profiling and Business Mapping in Foreign Markets; 
• Examines and analyzes Trade Reports; monitors International Trade practices, and makes recommendations on its implications for tax policy; 
• Conducts research and analyzes and monitors appropriate information on the international and regional trading arena for the purpose of making well-informed decisions;
• Determines preferential access on items to safeguard the revenue; 
• Conducts annual reviews on tax types at the border; 
• Conducts analysis on the reform of Border Taxes; 
• Creates tax models and conducts simulations to inform the Annual National Budget process;
• Prepares Cabinet Submissions, Briefs, and Reports etc., regarding Tax Policies, as they relate to the provisions of the various Trade Agreements WTO, CARICOM and other Bilateral Agreements; 
• Reviews Cabinet Submissions prepared by other Entities; 
• Conveys decisions pertaining to the MOFPS to the relevant stakeholders;
• Represents Jamaica at Regional and International Meetings to ensure concessions negotiated are in keeping with Jamaica’s Economic Development Plan; 
• Prepares Reports Briefs and Submissions, outlining recommendations for policy changes and decisions; 
• Prepares Speeches for the Minister regarding the trade portfolio; 

Management/Administrative 

• Plans, organizes and directs the work of the Branch, including the development of the Branch’s component of the Corporate and Operational Plans and Budgets, and monitors the Branch’s achievement against them; 
• Represents the MOFPS at conferences, symposiums/seminars/workshops and meetings both local, and overseas, and makes presentations on issues bearing portfolio responsibility;
• Serves as member of technical working groups where required; 
• Conducts periodic reviews of supervisees, in accordance with Work Plans;
• Conducts final assessment of supervisees based on performance assessment criteria and prepares performance report; 
• Develops and manages the performance of the Branch and its staff, including transferring skills, motivating staff, setting performance targets, monitoring performance, providing feedback to staff, and arranging for training; 
• Ensures that the Branch’s staff have sufficient and appropriate physical resources to enable them to undertake their duties efficiently and effectively; 
• Coordinates and supervises the activities of supervisees to ensure completion of assignments as well as compliance with established systems and procedures; 
• Utilizes management tools, such as Succession Planning/Training, job rotation and job enrichment, to motivate and empower employees; 
• Develops and reviews the Division’s policies, procedures and systems to meet Ministry’s goals, objectives and targets; 
• Conducts regular Staff Meetings and Ad-Hoc meetings, as necessary, to discuss job 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

Core 

• Strategic Management - Possess the ability to plan and set realistic objectives and develop a course of action to manage and achieve organization’s goals 
• Leadership - Excellent leadership and people management skills 
• People Management - Possess the ability to select, and develop employees through training, mentoring and job rotation. 
• Problem Solving and Analysis – Possess the ability to identify and analyse 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 to setting priorities and managing multiple workflows against tight deadlines.

Technical 

• 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. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• BSc. Degree in Economics, International Relations International Trade or equivalent
• Five (5) years’ experience in Foreign Affairs/Trade or other related areas. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• Pressured working conditions with numerous critical deadlines; 
• Ability to manage multiple complex assignments; 
• Will be required to work abnormal working hours; 
• May be required to travel both locally and overseas on official work related business;
• Frequent meetings 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.