Communications Officer €“ Level 6

KEY OUTPUTS

• Press releases prepared and distributed; 
• Speeches and scripted material prepared; 
• Press briefings arranged and managed; 
• Media affairs managed; 
• Mass media contents conceptualized, created, prepared and distributed;
• Media proposals prepared and submitted; 
• Staff welfare programmes managed and coordinated; 
• Social media platform managed, monitored and strategies executed;
• International Delegation managed; 
• Internal communication coordinated, executed and maintained; 
• Major annual tax campaign managed and executed; 
• Major international/regional events coordinated and executed 
• Reports prepared and submitted. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Technical and Professional Duties: 

• Prepares speeches for Senior Executive and Senior Management Group;
• Arranges press briefings for Commissioner General and Deputies; 
• Conducts regular office visits to ascertain information on all operational activities and to maintain effective levels of communication;
• Plans, coordinates and executes activities of the Jamaican leg of the Caribbean Organization for Tax Administrators (COTA) regional essay competition and liaises with the group; 
• Develops and executes activities of public relations programmes geared towards creating a positive public image of TAJ; 
• Manages advertisement portfolio (electronic, print and online) and develops and submits media budget; 
• Prepares releases, news features, advisories, bulletin and other news related materials to media houses on tax related topics in response to queries from stakeholders; 
• Collaborates with stakeholders to conduct internal/external sensitization sessions for new tax measures and communicates changes; 
• Plans and coordinates regional and international events (COTA Regional Competition, CIAT, CARTAC, JN Diaspora Conference); 
• Coordinates and provides island-wide support/coverage of Expos, Workshops, Seminar, and Events; 
• Conducts research, develops and submits scripts for features in the mass media; 
• Plans, coordinates and executes departmental conferences, protocol activities, meetings and social events; 
• Responds to articles of query from mass media and general public; 
• Collaborates with relevant Units to develop, and monitor the content for key communication tools including organisation’s website and intranet and social media; 
• Monitors and manages social media platform in order to address questions, comments and issue advisories; 
• Prepares information for articles to inform internal and external stakeholders on policies, activities and programmes within the organisation; 
• Plans, coordinates and executes staff welfare activities in collaboration with Employee Relations Unit; 
• Supports the maintenance of TAJ branding protocol; 
• Develops and negotiates media purchasing strategy for mass media to create awareness;
• Prepares and submits reports; 
• Supports the identification and management of risks within the organization and by extension the respective area of work; 
• Performs other related duties as directed by the Senior Communications Officer. 

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

This job is satisfactorily performed when: 

• Scripts and features are created and distributed within the agreed timeframe; 
• Press releases are distributed as the need arise in accordance with the prescribed format; 
• Social media platform is managed within the agreed timeframe;
• Staff welfare programmes are executed within the agreed timeframe; 
• TAJ locations are visited at least once per month and prepares necessary report/feedback as the needs arise; 
• International Delegation managed within the agreed timeframe;
• Internal communication coordinated, executed and maintained within the agreed timeframe; 
• Major annual tax campaign managed and executed within the agreed timeframe;
• Major international/regional events coordinated and executed within the agreed timeframe; 
• Reports, plans and budgets are prepared within one month of assignment. 
• Reports prepared and submitted in keeping with established standard and agreed timelines. 

AUTHORITY TO:

• Prepare mass media content; 
• Monitor, intranet, internet and social media activities; 
• Prepare speeches, and scripted material;
• Arrange press briefings; 
• Represent the organization in interviews; 
• Coordinate major activities and special project. 
• Negotiate mass media purchase. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Specific Knowledge 

• Comprehensive knowledge of marketing and communication strategies;
• Comprehensive knowledge of TAJ’s Code of Conduct, regulations and policies;
• Working knowledge of computer systems and related applications;
• Working knowledge of management principles and practices;
• Working knowledge of Tax Laws; 
• Working knowledge of media processes. 

Required Skills and Specialised Techniques 

• Excellent written and communication skills; 
• Excellent planning and time management skills; 
• Excellent team building and interpersonal skills; 
• Very good public speaking and presentation skills; 
• Very good negotiation skills. 

Qualifications and Experiences 

• BA in Mass Communications/Public Relations or equivalent;
• Two (2) years work experience in related area; 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal Office environment; 
• Required to work outside of normal working hours and some disagreeable conditions; 
• Travel (35-40%).

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.