Director, Communication and Public Relations (MCG/IE 6)

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direct supervision of the Permanent Secretary (GMG/EMG 1), the Director, Communication & Public Relations (MCG/IE 6), is responsible for the development, execution and ongoing management of a Public Relations (PR) and Publicity Programme for the Ministry that will raise the level of awareness of its stakeholders regarding its Programmes and policy initiatives, which are geared at modernizing the sector and enhancing farmers’ productivity and competitiveness. 

The incumbent also has the responsibility to write/oversee the production and editing of official publications including Ministry Papers, Training Manuals, Annual Reports and project-related hand books 

KEY OUTPUTS

• Annual Public Relations/Publicity programme and Operational Plan developed Official Project Signing ceremonies and other special events involving members of the Diplomatic Corps managed 
• Media contact established and maintained 
• PR Crisis Management Support provided 
• Logistics coordinated 
• News releases/feature stories written and submitted 
• Speeches/Messages written 
• Official Ministry publications including Ministry Papers, Training Manuals, Annual Farmers’ Calendar, Annual Reports and project-related hand books written/edited and printed 
• Budget & Sectoral Debate Presentations edited and printed 
• Staff needs identified and addressed 
• Staff performance evaluated and assessed 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Co-ordinates and executes all aspects of the Ministry’s Public Relations & Publicity programme 
• Manages the Unit-related administrative functions 
• Manages the News segment the Ministry’s Website 
• Acts as the Focal Point for referral of media enquires to designate Ministry spokespersons. 
• Prepares Unit’s Annual Budget.

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Develops the annual Public Relations and Publicity programme and Operational Plan
• Collaborates with the Ministries of Finance & Foreign Affairs, OPM, PIOJ and International Funding Agency representatives, re: protocol requirements for Project Signing Ceremonies & special events involving the Diplomatic Corps. 
• Establishes and maintains open lines of communication with newspaper, radio and TV news editors to engage the media in publicizing sector-related issues on an ongoing basis.
• Invites media coverage of Ministry/sector-related events on an event-by-event basis.
• Provides Crisis Management PR support in response to negative publicity and sector related crises. 
• Co-ordinates logistics and provides PR support for launches of the Ministry’s priority projects/special events to ensure media coverage. 
• Provides communication and PR support for Divisional/Project Directors in the publicizing of their programmes. 
• Arrange News Conferences/Media Tours to update the public and to give the media first hand information on sector-related developments. 
• Writes News Releases/feature stories to highlight newsworthy Ministry initiatives.
• Conducts research and write speeches/messages for official project launches, sector related, calendar and other events. 
• Writes citations and tributes as required. 
• Assists with the writing and edit the Budget/Sectoral Presentations. 
• Edits manuscripts for training manuals and other Ministry publications.
• Does research, writes and produces Ministry publications e.g. project-related brochures, the Annual Farmers’ Calendar. 
• Monitors sector-related News stories. 
• Updates the News segment of the Ministry’s Website. 

HUMAN RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITIES 

• 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 attaining established personal and/or organizational goals 
• Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division/unit and recommends transfer, promotions, termination and leave in accordance with the established human resource policies and procedures 
• 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 commitment to the Division’s and organization’s goals. 

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• PR & Publicity programme reflecting the Ministry’s strategic objectives outlined in the Budget Presentation, completed and executed to meet stated deadline 
• Co-ordination of protocol-related Project Signing Agreements to meet stated deadlines.
• Special events effectively managed and media coverage received within agreed standards and specified time frames. 
• Lines of communication effectively established with media houses and Ministry programmes & policy initiatives highlighted on an ongoing and timely basis
• Quick responses from PR Unit acting as focal point, made to News Editors on breaking agricultural-related news stories within agreed time frames. 
• Crisis Management Support provided and timely/appropriate information packaged and disseminated to the public, presenting the Ministry’s position as agreed. 
• Logistics for project launches/special events effectively coordinated and PR support provided to ensure media coverage based on Government of Jamaica protocols.
• Effective PR support provided for Divisional/Project Directors in the publicizing of their programmes within set standards. 
• News Conferences/Media Tours strategically planned to update the public on sector related developments and media coverage received within agreed timeframe.
• News Releases highlighting newsworthy Ministry’s initiatives written and published on an ongoing basis. 
• Speeches finalized and submitted to meet pre-event (48-hour) deadlines.
• Citations and tributes finalized to meet stated deadlines. 
• Training Manuals and other Ministry publications edited and printed to meet given deadlines. 
• Farmers’ Calendar, project-related brochures, e.t.c. written and printed to meet given deadlines. 
• Annual Budget/Sectoral Presentations edited, finalized and printed to meet Parliamentary deadlines. 
• Sector-related news stories monitored and appropriate/timely responses made within agreed time frame. 
• News segment of the Ministry’s Website updated on a timely basis. 
• Staff needs clearly identified and addressed in timely manner. 
• Staff performance meets or exceeds set targets. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCES

Core 

• Good administrative, analytical, creative and organizational skills. 
• Mastery in oral and written communication. 
• Good leadership/team-building skills and the ability to motivate staff to achieve targeted goals. 
• A proactive, flexible work attitude, together with good inter-personal skills.
• Reliability and capacity to work under extreme pressure to meet all deadlines.
• Managing the client interface 
• Good people management and leadership skills 
• Goal results oriented 

Technical 

• An understanding of graphic design and printing to guide the production of flyers, brochures, advertisements, Annual Reports. 
• An understanding of protocol/hospitality-related issues. 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications. 
• Knowledge in the operations of Government. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Mass Communication from an accredited tertiary institution
• A minimum of five (5) years working experience in Public Relations/Communication at the managerial level 
• A thorough understanding of the local media landscape 
• Proficiency in the use of the Internet, Windows operating systems and Microsoft applications, in particular, Word and PowerPoint 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• The working environment in the Communication & Public Relations Division often becomes very stressful – given that most deadlines are established externally (.i.e from the Ministers’ offices). Additionally, there are often competing events in a single day for which writing and organizational support are required from the Communication & Public Relations Division. 

AUTHORITY

• Manages the execution of the Ministry’s Public Relations & Publicity programme
• Supervises and oversees the activities of the staff of the PR Unit 
• Acts as the Focal Point of contact for all media-related queries directed to the Ministry
• Sits on the Selection Team in the hiring of staff in the Ministry’s Communication/PR Division

Please note that we thank all for responding, but only short listed applicants will be contacted.