Senior Director, Western & Montego Bay Operations (Level 9)

Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy CEO, Operations, the Senior Director Western & Montego Bay Operations will be responsible: To facilitate the movement of travelers and legitimate goods and other items in and out of the country by overseeing the frontline operational activities of the Agency and ensuring compliance with the Customs Act, its regulations and related legislation; To optimize revenue by ensuring adequate systems and measures are in place that facilitate the declaration and/or application and payment of correct duties and taxes on goods and other items imported and exported; To protect Jamaica’s borders and her society by providing direction and collaboration on activities aimed at identifying and detaining persons entering Jamaica illegally and/or detecting and seizing illegally imported goods and other items; To maintain an effective deterrent against persons committing customs offences and thereby optimize revenue declared and collected and the protection of society; and, To participate in the strategic planning, reporting and development of Jamaica Customs and represent the operational units. 💰Basic Salary: $11,455,206 annually.

Responsibilities

• Provides direction and guidance to frontline operational units in the Montego Bay (Freeport, Customs House and Donald Sangster International Airport), St Ann and Western regions on trade facilitation, declaration verification, revenue collection and detection and seizure of illegal goods and other items to achieve agreed performance standards and targets and ensure compliance with the Customs and other related acts and regulations involving the:

  • • Entrance and clearance of vessels and aircrafts;
  • • Inspection and control of persons, carriers, baggage and cargo;
  • • Operations pertaining to entry, examination, classification appraisal and warehousing o merchandise;
  • • Collection of and accounting for customs duties;
  • • Control of travel tax receipts; and,
  • • Control of records pertaining to duty exempt releases to enterprises operating under the various incentive laws and loan agreements.

• Provides overall direction and control of Customs activities at the Falmouth outport by:

  • • Ensuring that monthly reports are submitted on the Customs activities in his/her area, indicating progress in achieving objectives set; and,
  • • Visiting the port periodically and holding staff discussions with a view to formulating plans, deciding on courses of action, and, providing solutions and/or taking remedial action pertaining to work plans, organization, staff instructions or operating procedures and making recommendations for solution implementation to solve major problems.
• • Verifies cases of evasion of customs duty and to take appropriate steps to protect the government revenue.

• Maintains control over the establishment and operation of Bonded Warehouses and Tourist Shops in the Montego Bay area by:

  • • Maintaining control over the warehousing of abandoned, seized and overtime goods and the conducting of Auction Sales to dispose of these goods;
  • • Investigating and preparing advisory reports on queries on audit examination reports received from the Internal Audit Branch or Auditor General; and,
  • • Direct investigations and prepare reports required by the Commissioner or the Ministry of Finance on any aspect of Customs operations in his/her area of work.

• Creates an effective team within the Western & Montego Bay Operations sub-division to achieve the Agency’s objectives and targets by:

  • • Monitoring and reviewing the performance of the sub-division to ensure its agreed performance targets are met;
  • • Ensuring that the staffing needs of the sub-division are met through appointments, promotions and staff development and training and discipline in accordance with agency policies and procedures;
  • • Ensuring the management and continuous performance of staff within the sub-division through the implementation of the performance management system; and,
  • • Ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources.
• • Provide day-to-day leadership and direction in the Branch’s development and continual performance improvement and oversee the branch activities and operations
• • Lead strategic planning and review process for the activities of the Intelligence Branch.
• • Guides the staff of the Branch in interpreting the policies and procedures to determine proper courses of action.
• • Ensures that all required processes, systems, and controls are in place within the Section.
• • Ensures that appropriate communication and knowledge management systems are in place within the Branch and with other internal or external Divisions/Branches.
• • Ensures the staff has the necessary tools and equipment to perform their functions effectively and efficiently.
• • Build and maintain strong relationships with all internal divisions.
• • Ensures that the Branch work is adequately documented.
• • Establish and maintain a culture that fosters teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Sections and organisations’ goals.
• • Prepares reports and project documents as required.
• • Develops, monitors, and coordinates budget preparation and monitoring and signs off on related requisitions for the Section/Branch.
• • Confidentiality, integrity and professionalism are displayed in the execution of all duties and in personal conduct.
• • Oversees and participates in regular performance reviews and evaluations of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals, and recommends and indicates corrective actions to improve performance and attain established personal and organisational goals.
• • Undertaking human resource management related functions, including staff selection, training, and discipline by the Agency’s policies and procedures, and convening staff meetings to discuss issues and matters/challenges that impact the Section’s performance to determine appropriate solutions.
• • Participates in recruiting staff for the section and recommends transfer, promotions, terminations, and leave according to established human resource policies and procedures.
• • Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, monitoring, and coaching.
• • Ensure the welfare and development needs of skills in the Branch are identified and addressed.
• • Recommend disciplinary action where necessary in respect of direct reports.
• • 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 meet expectations.
• • Performs all other duties and functions as may be required from time to time.
• • May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence.
• • Enforces Health & Safety Policies & Procedures and mitigates and minimises workplace hazards.

Required Skills

• Core:

  • • Excellent interpersonal and staff management skills
  • • Excellent decision-making, planning, and organising skills.
  • • Excellent communication and human relations skills
  • • Excellent negotiating skills
  • • Strong financial management skills
  • • Strong judgment, analytical skills, and ability to think strategically.
  • • Ability to demonstrate high levels of professionalism, confidentiality,
  • • integrity, and honesty.
  • • Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people, including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.

• Technical:

  • • Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs and tax laws and their impact on business, trade, and economics.
  • • Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs Operations.
  • • Sound understanding of the principles of change management, organisational leadership, and individual change development.
  • • Sound understanding and experience in managing limited resources to achieve challenging output targets.
  • • Understanding of the fundamentals of financial and general management.
  • • Understanding the application of information technology solutions to organisational problems and the fundamentals of business processing reengineering.
  • • Advanced IT skills in the Microsoft Office Suite Applications
  • • Working knowledge of Customs policies, procedures, and controls.

Qualifications

• • Master’s degree in Management or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences and at least eight (8) years’ experience in an operational, managerial position.
OR
• • Bachelor’s degree in Management or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences and at least 12 years’ experience in an operational, managerial position.
• • Supervisory Management Training/Experience
• • Specialized knowledge and training in Customs Administration and Operations.

Additional Information and Instructions

• • Work will be conducted in an office with standard office equipment and specialised software.
• • The environment is fast paced, with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines, resulting in high degrees of pressure on occasions. May be required to travel locally and overseas to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.
• • Minimal degree of travelling required (<30%)
• • May be required to work long hours (>50 hours weekly) over protracted periods and be on call 24 hours.

📅 Applications, including résumés, should be submitted no later than Friday, January 17, 2025 🔗 Register link available: 📧 Need Help? Email us at helpdesk@jca.gov.jm if you experience any technical difficulties. 📋 Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

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