Chief Plant Protection Officer (SOG/ST 7)

Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Research Director, the Chief Plant Protection Officer assists the Senior Research Director with the planning, co-ordination, control and implementation of the National Research and Development Programme in Plant Protection, guided by the policy objectives and overall national programme defined by the Senior Managers/Officers in Research and Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and external stakeholders. He/She will co-ordinate the National Plant Pest and Disease Diagnostic and Advisory Services. Salary Range: 💰 $5,198,035 - $6,990,779 JMD per annum

Responsibilities

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Assists in the development and implementation of administrative procedures and directives;
  • • Participates in the rationalization, preparation and administration of Budgets;
  • • Participates in the formulation and implementation of quality controls;
  • • Assists with co-ordination of Plant Protection activities with related work in other Government and Private Sector entities;
  • • Advises the Senior Research Director of changes in legislations, polities, procedures and staffing, to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of national plant health services;
  • • Ensures spending of budgetary allocations according to approved plan, ensuring that materials and resources are secure and properly used for maximum efficiency.

• Technical/Professional:

  • • Ensures the overall work programme for Plant Protection and that of the component disciplines, are consistent with current and projected need, as well as pre-determined priorities;
  • • Keeps abreast of both local and international developments in plant health management;
  • • Leads strategic, long-term multi-disciplinary Plant Protection Research;
  • • Ensures that Researchers/Diagnosticians in each discipline, contribute actively to the continual updating of pest register and reference collection;
  • • Ensures that research proposals are written up and consistent with pre-determined priorities and policies;
  • • Collaborates with and facilitates the work of consultants (local and foreign) and contract workers in Plant Protection;
  • • Co-ordinates the activities of the National Plant Health Surveillance and Pest Response System, through monitoring, reports and meetings of the Senior Managers of the Ministry of Agriculture;
  • • Provides a comprehensive technical brief for the Minister and Cabinet through the Chief Technical Director, regarding emergency pest response surveys and organizational needs;
  • • Liaises with external stakeholders in the area of Plant Health and convenes and chairs meetings;
  • • Ensures, through subordinates, a reliable pest identification diagnostic and advisory service, pest risk assessment and management;
  • • Writes research papers, fact sheets and other information products;
  • • Participates in conferences, meetings and seminars representing the Division at local and overseas fora;
  • • Represents R&D on Technical Committee of the Plant Health Co-ordination Committee;
  • • Provides scientific advice on Plant Health matters to internal and external stakeholders.

• Human Resource:

  • • Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance and/or attain established personal and/or organizational goals;
  • • Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division/Unit and recommends transfer, promotion termination and leave, in accordance with established human resource policies and procedures;
  • • Collaborates with the Human Resource Division in developing and implementing a succession planning programme for the Division/Unit to facilitate continuity and availability of required skills and competencies, to meet the needs of the Division;
  • • Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports, through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching;
  • • Ensures the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Division/Unit, are clearly identified and addressed;
  • • Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and committed to the Division’s and Organization’s goals;
  • • Performs any other related duties that may be assigned, from time to time, by the Senior Managers.

Required Skills

• Core:

  • • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • • Excellent presentation skills
  • • Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills
  • • Good leadership skills
  • • Good interpersonal skills
  • • Ability to work in teams
  • • Good customer and quality focus skills

• Technical:

  • • Thorough knowledge of material and manpower resources
  • • Excellent knowledge of the organization’s policies and procedures
  • • Comprehensive knowledge of legislation and regulations governing the Ministry and areas of Plant Health, both locally and internationally
  • • Excellent research skills
  • • Excellent technical knowledge of plant health standards and components
  • • Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications

Qualifications

• • Master of Science Degree in plant Protection;
• • Six (6) years’ experience in Plant Protection Research and/or Extension;
• • Two (2) years’ experience in a managerial position with a Government or similar institution, plus completion and publication of several research papers.

Additional Information and Instructions

• Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

  • • Long hours of exposure to field environment with its attendant vagaries, such as pest attack, sun stroke and rain soak;
  • • Risks associated with long-distance road travel, often off-track, in unfamiliar places and high-risk areas;
  • • Exposure to toxic pesticides used in plant protection research, as well as encountered in the course of field visits;
  • • Exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
  • • Long working hours.

Applications, accompanied by résumés, should be submitted no later than Wednesday, 9th July, 2025, to: Senior Director Human Resource Management and Development Division Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Hope Gardens Kingston 6 📧 Email: jobopportunities@moa.gov.jm ℹ️ Subject: Chief Plant Protection Officer (SOG/ST 7) 🔑 Please include the job title in the subject line of your email.

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