OFFICE OF THE SERVICES COMMISSIONS (Central Government) 30 National Heroes Circle Kingston 4 Jamaica Telephone: 922-8600 Fax: 924-9764 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.osc.gov.jm CIRCULAR No. 225 OSC Ref. C. 48605 5th November, 2014 Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department are asked to invite applications from suitably qualified officers in their Ministries/Departments to fill the following posts in the Jamaica Productivity Centre, Ministry of Labour and Social Security: 1. Communication Specialist (MCG/IE 4) – Information and Communication Unit, salary range $1,261,267 - $1,499,251 per annum and any allowance(s) attached to the post 2. Research Officer (SOG/ST 5) – Technical Assistance Service Unit, salary range $1,007,780 - $1,197,933 per annum and any allowance(s) attached to the post; 3. Research Officer (SOG/ST 5) – Research and Measurement Unit, salary range $1,007,780 $1,197,933 per annum and any allowance(s) attached to the post; 4. Public Relations Officer (MCG/IE 2) – Public Relations Department, salary range $770,372 $915,730 per annum and any allowance(s) attached to the post. 1. Communication Specialist (MCG/IE 4) – Information and Communication Unit Job Purpose To provide communication support services and ensures efficient and effective co-ordination of related activities of the Jamaica Productivity Centre. Key Responsibilities Supports effective media coverage for sensitization and education of stakeholders on issues relating to productivity; Supports the development and implementation of an integrated communication plan in sync with the products and services of the Centre; Supports the public relations needs of the Centre; Ensures that the Centre’s knowledge resources are known and accessible to potential users; Provides communication products and services for internal stakeholders; Supports media participation in the Centre’s productivity drive; Ensures that the activities of the Centre are adequately publicized and events are effectively planned; Supports advocacy for a productivity focus in the policy agenda of government; Communicates research findings of the Centre to relevant industries and articulates strategy implications of the findings. Required Skills/Competencies Awareness of public relation principles and practices in respect of communication needs Ability to convert technical articles and reports into speeches or media briefings Knowledge of communications media and tools such as radio, television, audiovisuals, photography, etc. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing Excellent interpersonal skills Ability to organize work in an effective manner to meet deadlines Excellent Information Technology skills 2/… -2- Minimum Required Qualification and Experience A Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication or related areas At least three (2) years’ experience in information/communication management Special Conditions Associated with the Job Typical office environment, no adverse working condition Visits to typical manufacturing or business establishments Local, regional, and international travel required 2. Research Officer (SOG/ST 5) – Technical Assistance Service Unit Job Purpose Collection, storage, retrieval, and analysis of primary and secondary data. Key Responsibilities Conducts measurements of key productivity indicators (capital, labour, energy, materials, services, and total factor productivity); Undertakes analysis and interpretation of financial ratios and compares and contrasts them with productivity ratios; Conducts on-site diagnostic studies (time and motion studies, TQM, BPI, process/cycle time, waste or scrap assessment, resource consumption); On-site monitoring and evaluation of productivity improvement programmes or innovations) Assists in firm and industry educational outreach programmes; Undertakes surveys, interviews, focus groups discussions, and case studies; Conducts Situational Analyses (Firm, Industry, Sector, National) to answer specific questions aimed at improving understanding; Collects information for benchmarking of firms and industries (intra-and inter); Prepares reports, newspaper articles, briefing papers, and website articles. Required Sills/Competencies Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills Ability to operationalize relevant firm and industry level problems Knowledgeable in statistical methods, productivity improvement tools (JIT, TQM, ISO, Five S, BPI, Six Sigma), inventory management, supply chain management, process side of producing goods, process side of and producing services Excellent oral and written communication skills Strong scientific integrity Awareness of macro and socio-economic issues as well as political and administrative challenges and tendencies and their impact on productivity and competitiveness Strong hands-on use of computer applications Minimum Required Qualification and Experience A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration with (Operations Research) or a suitable combination of related disciplines At least 3 years’ experience in research or research management working in economics or related area Special Conditions Associated with the Job Typical office environment, no adverse working condition Visits to typical manufacturing or business establishments 3/… -33. Research Officer (SOG/ST 5) – Research and Measurement Unit Job Purpose Collection, storage, retrieval, and analysis of primary and secondary data. Key Responsibilities Conducts measurements of key productivity indicators (capital, labour, energy, materials, services, and total factor productivity); Undertakes analysis and interpretation of financial ratios and compares and contrasts them with productivity ratios; Develops research methodologies to investigate relevant research issues (policy, constraints, legal and regulate framework, etc.); Assists in educational outreach programmes for Secondary Schools; Undertakes surveys, interviews, focus groups discussions, and case studies; Conducts Situational Analyses (Firm, Industry, Sector, National) to answer specific questions aimed at improving understanding; Collects information for benchmarking of firms and industries (intra- and inter); Prepares reports, newspaper articles, briefing papers, and website articles. Required Skills/Competencies Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills Ability to operationalize relevant research issues or problems Knowledgeable in statistical methods Knowledgeable in specifying, implementing, testing, validating, and interpreting statistical models Excellent communication (written and oral) Strong scientific integrity Awareness of macro and socio-economic issues as well as political and administrative challenges and tendencies and their impact on productivity and competitiveness Proficient in the use of relevant computer applications Minimum Required Qualification and Experience A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration with (Operations Research), Sociology, Marketing or a suitable combination of related disciplines At least 3 years’ experience in research or research management working in economics or related area Special Conditions Associated with the Job Typical office environment, no adverse working condition Visits to typical manufacturing or business establishments 4. Public Relations Officer (MCG/IE 2) – Public Relations Department Job Purpose Assists in disseminating the Ministry’s communications policies and programmes by informing and educating internal and external publics, as well as establishing and maintaining a consistent and positive image of the Ministry. Key Responsibilities Technical/Professional Assists with the production and dissemination of in-house publication; Liaises and responds to enquiries from media, individuals and other organizations, often via telephone and email; Liaises with key spokespersons for media interviews etc.; 4/… -4- Researches and prepares press releases/news features etc. to targeted media; Collates media coverage; Writes and designs in-house magazines, case studies and articles; Devises and co-ordinates photo opportunities; Assists in organizing events including press conferences, exhibitions, open days and press tours; Maintains and updates information on the Ministry’s website; Assists in improving or maintaining the reputation of the Ministry; Monitors media coverage to maintain the Ministry’s positive image; Performs other related functions assigned from time to time by the Public Relations Manager or Senior Public Relations Officer. Required Skills/Competencies Good knowledge of public affairs Excellent knowledge of the Ministry’s policies and programmes Excellent oral and written communication skills Good interpersonal skills Excellent teamwork skills Ability to exercise sound judgement Ability to maintain integrity and high ethical standards Excellent problem solving and analytical skills Minimum Required Qualification and Experience A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications or Public Relations Two (2) years’ experience in communications/public relations Special Conditions Associated with the Job: Stressful and critical deadlines for completion of projects Required to travel intra island Required to work outside of normal working hours Attend conciliation and wage negotiation meetings Required to work independently Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Friday, 21st November, 2014 to: Senior Director Human Resource Management and Administration Ministry of Labour and Social Security 14 National Heroes Circle Kingston 4 Email: [email protected] Please note that only short listed applicants will be contacted. Please ensure that a copy of this circular is placed at a strategic position on the Notice Board of the Ministry/Department and brought to the attention of all eligible officers.