Director, Projects and Enforcement (GMG/SEG 3)

Job Purpose 

To provide policy and strategy co-ordination related to the following subject areas: trade and environment, waste management, particularly hazardous wastes, chemicals management and co-ordinate the implementation of select multilateral environmental agreements and initiatives (chemicals and hazardous wastes). 

Key Responsibilities 

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Represents the Ministry at local, regional and international meetings, as directed;
• Prepares and delivers presentations on environmental issues, particularly in respect to trade and environment and waste and chemicals management issues at local and international fora, as directed; 
• Develops individual Work Plan aligned to the Branch’s Corporate and Operational Plans. 

Technical/Professional: 

• Participates in the development of proposals leading to the amendment of existing legislation or the enactment of new legislation to address issues related to the management of waste, particularly hazardous waste and chemicals; 
• Drafts Cabinet Submissions and Notes, Ministry Papers and speeches relevant to the subject area; 
• Contributes to the development and implementation of programmes, strategies and policy instruments and legislation related to national environmental management issues, particularly in the areas of trade and environment and waste and chemicals management; 
• Represents the Ministry on the negotiation team for an environmental agreement under the Free Trade Agreements, including the CARICOM-Canada and the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement; 
• Co-ordinates the development of national policies and sub-policies on chemicals and hazardous wastes and monitor their implementation; 
• Contributes to the development and periodic updates of the National Implementation Plan for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and monitors its implementation;
• Participates in the development of policy instruments or proposals specific to the post;
• Prepares reports and position papers to advise the Ministry, Cabinet and Parliament on environmental issues, particularly those in respect of hazardous wastes and chemicals management; 
• Monitors and participates in international policy fora representing Government’s position and monitoring international agreements and issues of relevance to Jamaica in the relevant subject areas; 
• Prepares project proposals for funding by local and international donor agencies and manage the implementation of such projects; 
• Co-ordinates the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Stockholm Convention on the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM); 
• Liaises with the relevant donor and development agencies with regard to technical co-operation initiatives for trade and environment and waste management programmes;
• Monitors developments in the regional and international arena in respect of trade and environment issues and assist in the development of appropriate national policy responses and initiatives; 
• As directed, acts as Jamaica’s focal point to the Basel Convention on the Control of the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Minamata Convention on Mercury and co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of these instruments at the national level; 
• Coordinates and monitors the development of National Programmes of Action or projects to deal with issues related to chemicals and hazardous waste management;
• Contributes to the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Pesticides; 
• Liaises with public and private sector agencies, academia and civil society to achieve coordination and collaboration in the development and implementation of national projects and programmes of action which address national environmental management issues, particularly those in respect of chemicals and waste management issues; 
• Participates in the development and implementation of technical assistance programmes and projects as they relate to the country’s sustainable development agenda;
• Works with the Senior Director to monitor the impacts of legislation, regulations and policies and recommend alternatives and amendments as appropriate; 
• Co-ordinates the Ministry/Government’s response to environmental complaints and queries from the public on environmental matters as necessary and prepares the requisite report and co-ordinate action if necessary. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Oral and written communication skills 
• Presentation skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Team and result oriented 

Technical: 

• Experience with policy development, analysis and review 
• Knowledge of and experience with national, regional and international environment and sustainable development issues 
• Knowledge of environmental and related laws, regional and international environmental agreements and treaties 
• Negotiation skills 
• Ability to conduct research and analyze technical information on environmental issues and prepare positions paper and proposals 
• Experience in project management 

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural or Life/Environmental Science or related field
• Five (5) years’ experience in a related capacity 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.