Senior Director, Justice Reform Programme Management (GMG/SEG 5)

Job Purpose

Under the general direction of the Permanent Secretary, the Senior Director, Justice Reform Programme Management, provides strategic leadership for the design, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes and institutional reform initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for mobilizing and managing donor funding, strengthening stakeholder partnerships, overseeing programme performance, and ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, national development objectives, and international best practices. The incumbent leads multidisciplinary teams and works closely with government agencies, development partners, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and internal departments to deliver high-impact programmes and sustainable reform outcomes. 

Key Outputs:

• Strategic justice reform programmes and institutional transformation initiatives developed and implemented 
• Programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation frameworks established and operationalized 
• Donor-funded projects coordinated and managed 
• Strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement initiatives strengthened and maintained
• Grant proposals, concept notes, briefs, speeches, reports and policy documents prepared
• Justice reform research, analysis and legislative tracking conducted 
• Strategic advice and technical guidance provided 
• Programme budgets, forecasts and expenditure monitoring systems managed
• Governance, risk management and accountability mechanisms implemented
• High-level meetings, consultations, conferences and reform events coordinated and executed
• Cross-sectoral collaboration and information-sharing mechanisms facilitated
• Strategic plans and implementation roadmaps for justice reform initiatives developed
• Monitoring reports, analytical reports and donor reports submitted 
• Staff supervision, coaching and performance management activities conducted
• Individual work plans and divisional operational plans developed and implemented 

Key Responsibility Areas:

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Lead the development and execution of strategic programmes, transformation initiatives, and institutional reform agendas. 
• Provide oversight for programme planning, implementation, budgeting, risk management, and reporting. 
• Ensure programmes are aligned with organizational strategy, policy priorities, and stakeholder expectations. 
• Establish performance frameworks, KPIs, and monitoring systems to track programme delivery and impact. 
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in programme management approaches.
• Lead organizational and sector-wide reform initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, governance, service delivery, and institutional performance.
• Coordinate policy reform implementation and change management activities.
• Advise executive leadership on reform strategies, operational transformation, and institutional strengthening. 
• Identify regulatory, operational, and systemic gaps and recommend actionable solutions.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with bilateral and multilateral donors, international development agencies, foundations, and funding institutions. 
• Lead donor engagement strategies and funding negotiations. 
• Identify funding opportunities and oversee the preparation of grant proposals, concept notes, and partnership agreements. 
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, funding agreements, procurement standards, and reporting obligations. 
• Monitor donor-funded project performance, expenditure, and results delivery.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with government ministries, development partners, NGOs, private sector stakeholders, and regional/international institutions. 
• Represent the organization in high-level meetings, conferences, negotiations, and technical working groups. 
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and partnership development initiatives.
• Promote strategic alliances to support programme sustainability and institutional objectives.
• Ensure programmes operate within approved governance frameworks, legal requirements, and organizational policies. 
• Oversee programme risk assessments and mitigation strategies. 
• Ensure accountability, transparency, and effective stewardship of financial and programme resources. 
• Prepare executive reports and briefing notes 
• Direct programme budgeting, forecasting, and financial monitoring activities.
• Ensure effective allocation and utilization of donor and organizational resources.
• Monitor programme expenditure against approved budgets and deliverables.
• Support procurement, contract management, and vendor oversight processes where required.
• Serve as the focal point for strengthening the MJCA’s external partnerships and ensure effective 
• coordination, information exchange and follow-up on collaborative initiatives with entities such as UNDP, FCDO, UNICEF and also local justice sector partners. 
• Provides support for legislative agenda to advance justice reform in Jamaica
• Tracks legislation and evolving justice reform dynamics 
• Plans events and logistics, executes events geared toward justice reform and modernization
• Develops strategic plan for Justice Reform Implementation Programme 
• Provides timely periodic reporting and analysis on trends, policy considerations, key topics and potential political implications of developments in the justice sector 
• Drafts briefs, memos and other documents in support of justice reform policy work for the Permanent Secretary. 
• Provides inputs for strategic Ministerial briefs, speeches and talking points.
• Coordinate cross-sectoral inputs on justice reform as necessary and ensure high-quality preparation for related meetings with sponsors and international donor partners. 
• Provides Technical advice on Justice Reform to the Ministry’s senior management team.
• Conducts required research on justice reform in other jurisdictions and present material to the Permanent Secretary. 

Human Resources Responsibilities 

• Contributes to and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and organization’s goals; 
• Prepare presentations on role of Section for the Orientation and Onboarding programme. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Performs all other duties and functions as may be required from time to time. 

Performance Standards:

• Strategic programmes and reform initiatives are implemented within approved scope, timelines, budget and quality standards 
• Programme objectives, deliverables and key performance indicators (KPIs) are achieved in accordance with approved plans 
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks are effectively implemented and produce accurate, timely and data-driven reporting 
• Donor-funded projects comply with contractual obligations, procurement standards, governance requirements and reporting timelines 
• Grant proposals, concept notes, briefs, speeches, reports and policy documents are accurate, comprehensive and submitted within agreed timeframes 
• Strategic advice and technical recommendations provided are evidence-based, practical and aligned with organizational and national priorities 
• Legislative developments, justice reform trends and emerging issues are continuously monitored and communicated to senior leadership 
• Stakeholder relationships are effectively maintained to support programme delivery, collaboration and sustainability 
• Programme risks are identified early and appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented
• Financial resources are effectively managed to ensure accountability, value for money and efficient utilization of funds 
• Meetings, consultations, workshops and reform events are effectively coordinated and executed according to approved standards and within agreed timelines 
• Cross-functional and external stakeholder coordination is maintained to ensure timely exchange of information and programme alignment 
• Strategic plans and implementation roadmaps are developed in accordance with prescribed guidelines and organizational objectives 
• Reports and analyses are prepared in the prescribed format and submitted within established deadlines 
• Staff are effectively supervised, coached and supported to achieve divisional objectives and performance targets 
• Handling of sensitive information and interfacing with people at different levels;
• Work Plan conform to established procedures and implemented according to established rules;
• Confidentiality, integrity and professionalism displayed in the delivery of duties and interaction with staff.

Required Competencies:

Core Competencies 

• Adaptability 
• Compliance 
• Customer and Quality Focus 
• Initiative 
• Integrity 
• Interpersonal 
• Oral Communication 
• Team Work & Cooperation 
• Time Management 
• Written Communication 

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Accountability 
• Analytical thinking 
• Attention to Detail 
• Change Management 
• Coaching and Mentoring 
• Conflict Management 
• Diplomatic Sensitivity 
• Fiscal Management 
• Flexibility 
• Goal/Results Oriented 
• Leadership 
• Managing External Relationships 
• Methodical 
• Planning and Organising 
• Presentation and Reporting 
• Problem Solving and Decision-making 
• Resilience 
• Strategic Vision 
• Stress Tolerance 
• Technical Skills 
• Use and Application of Technology 

Other Competencies

• Strong technical base, well-developed analytical capabilities, and particularly, the ability to critically analyze industrial reports and other technical reports and outputs from consultants and other experts
• Proven ability to analyse and interpret information for decision making
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment
• Proven ability to prioritise amongst conflicting demands and makes rational decisions based upon a sound understanding of the facts in limited
• Comprehensive knowledge of the general operations of the machinery of the government, the role, function and operations of Cabinet and Parliament
• Sound knowledge of the operations and functions of government ministries in order to envision and support opportunities for joined-up policy making
• Project Management: Planning, implementing, monitoring and completing projects, ensuring effective management of scope, resources, time, cost, quality, risk and communications.
• Excellent knowledge of the Government’s overall justice objectives
• Accountability and Financial Management: Implements strategies to achieve operational efficiencies and value for money
• Ability to manage limited resources in order to achieve challenging output targets

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Sociology, Law, Public Policy, Management Studies, Public Administration, International Development or related Social Science discipline. 
• Professional certification in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, MSP, or equivalent) would be an asset. 
• Five (5) years of relevant work experience, preferably in positions involving systemic policy reform, research, and/or project management 
• At least 3 years in a senior leadership or executive management role. 
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programmes and donor-funded initiatives. 
• Experience working with international development agencies, multilateral institutions, or government reform programmes is highly desirable 

Continuous Professional Development 

• Attend relevant training on emerging trends and practices within the field 
• Network within the profession and relevant associations to keep abreast with the industry. 

Authority:

• N/A 

Specific 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.
• Extended hours may be required to meet project deadlines

The Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs thanks all applicants for their interest, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.