CIVIL SERVICE OF JAMAICA

JOB DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATION

Ministry/Entity: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Job Title Chief Technical Director

Job Grade EMG

Post Number

Unit

Division Human Resource Management & Administration Division

Reports To: Permanent Secretary

Direct Reports Senior Director, Strategic Policy Planning Research and

Evaluation
Indirect Reports

THIS DOCUMENT IS VALIDATED AS AN ACCURATE AND TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE JOB AS

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 A. JOB PURPOSE STATEMENT (reason for job existing)
The Ministry of Justice provides the legal and policy framework within which justice services are efficiently and
effectively delivered to all. Within this context, the Chief Technical Director (CTD) Strategic Policy and Governance is
accountable for:
 the development of integrated, strategic, innovative and responsive policy to guide the Ministry in its
leadership role for the Jamaican justice system;
 ensuring extensive national and international policy consultations;
 providing strategic guidance and advice to ensure a coherent justice policy and legislative agenda concerning
criminal, family and public law in Jamaica.

The incumbent provides the creative and intellectual focal point to ensure the development of long-and short-term
Ministry policy agendas by identifying, prioritizing and integrating legal-based issues of concern to society at large.
Meeting this responsibility requires a deep and broad understanding of both legal and social issues, coupled with the
ability to conceptualize innovative approaches to resolving legal and social problems.

In addition the incumbent is accountable for developing, implementing and managing an integrated planning
framework to support the Ministry achievement of objectives and to enhance and streamline Ministry business
practices. This includes designing, developing, articulating, implementing and evaluating an overall operational and
financial planning framework for the Ministry and running a priority-setting process in support of the Senior
Management Committee’s decision making and resource allocation process and provides secretariat services to that
committee.

B. KEY OUTPUTS
 Advice to the Minister and PS to ensure professional legal and justice policy support during Cabinet and
parliamentary consideration of Ministry policies and proposals concerning the justice sector
 Integrated, horizontal policy related to substantive legal matters including the research and analysis of legal,
social and economic factors in Jamaican society to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach to legal
and justice policy development
 Medium-term to long term policy and legislative agenda to ensure effective implementation of new
legislation that responds to the evolving nature of justice in Jamaica
 The integration of the policy function in the Ministry including policy support, research, agenda
management, priority setting, and evaluation
 The identification, prioritization and integration of legally-based issues of concern to Jamaican society at
large
 Policies and legislation reviewed, policy papers and submissions drafted
 Support and guidance on justice policy direction provided to the Ministry’s portfolio agencies and
departments and to other Government Ministries
 Mechanisms established to monitor and evaluate the performance of portfolio agencies and departments
 Innovative approaches to resolving legal and social problems
 Systems for financial control and human resource management within directorate in place and operational
according to the required standards
 Directorate budgets managed effectively and efficiently

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  Unit’s plans developed in line with budgetary limits
 Work Plans developed for staff
 Performance Appraisal Reports and work plans prepared and submitted
 Staff welfare monitored
 Staff properly trained and motivated

C. KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

 Leads the creation of the overall planning framework and advises Ministry managers, and the Permanent
Secretary on policy planning ensuring the setting of strategic direction for the Ministry in support of the
Government’s justice priorities.
 Advises the Minister and PS to ensure professional support during Cabinet and parliamentary consideration
of Ministry policies and proposals concerning the administration of justice in Jamaica.
 Leads and oversees the provision of qualitative and socio-economic forecasts and analyses of external
variable of strategic important to the Ministry and integrates these into the Ministry’s strategic, multi-year
operational and financial planning processes. The incumbent prepares output plans resulting from these
processes and accurately depicts costs in the estimates.
 Ensures the integration of all policy support services, including the research and analysis of legal, social and
economic factors in Jamaican society to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach to policy
development in the Ministry.
 Implements innovative and analytical methods of resource planning and analysis based on macro indicators
linked to accepted levels of service standards. This process involves extensive consultation with the units
which are responsible for the standards and delivery of policy, operations and services. The CTD consults
with and advises senior managers on the definition, specification and establishment of planned results to be
achieved.
 Leads the development of procedures and guidelines to facilitate the development of strategic, multi-year
and financial budget-year plans and communicate them to the Ministry of Finance and to managers
throughout the Ministry. This is critical to sound decision making on priorities, timing and financial and
human resourcing. The key challenge for the CTD, Strategic Policy and Governance is to ensure that all
Ministry planning functions (strategic, operational and financial) and the related management systems are
consistent with each other, with the Ministry’s policy framework, and with other management processes,
such as performance measurement, priority setting, project management and management reporting, while
integrating the full range of functional planning.
 Plays a critical role as principle advisor to the Permanent Secretary, Minister and Senior Management
Committee on all aspects of resource management policies, priorities and strategic objectives. The CTD is
also responsible for providing advice on the full implication of ongoing and proposed Justice Policy,
operations and services (Ministry of Finance submissions and Cabinet documents) and providing continuing
analysis of resource policy issues affecting new or enhanced initiatives. (The Senior Management Committee
is the principle executive forum in the Ministry for considering matters pertaining to policy and Justice
operations and services priorities, and Ministry resourcing strategies and controls which are fundamental to
the Ministry’s direction.)
 Provides the impetus and leadership in continuing improvements in the area of management practices. The
incumbent is responsible for identifying areas within the Ministry where management practices can be
improved or streamline, and recommending solutions and strategies to the Permanent Secretary.

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  Is the focal point for communication between the Ministry and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) with respect to
corporate policy, Ministry of Finance submissions, management practices and reporting. This role is
considered essential because liaising with the MOF on planning and general management policy and
direction is critical to maintaining a sound strategic outlook for the Ministry.
 Establishes effective partnerships and negotiates agreements related to the administration of justice in
Jamaica.
 Develops and oversees effective links with, the Ministry’s departments and agencies other government
ministries and regional and international organisations to support coherent and joined-up policy
development and implementation, linked to affordable and achievable plans.
 Represents the ministry at local, regional and international conventions workshops and meetings on policy
issues as agreed with the Permanent Secretary.
 Ensures that all required processes, systems and controls are in place within the policy directorate to enable
achievement of its objectives effectively and efficiently.
 Ensures that appropriate communication and knowledge management systems are in place within the policy
directorate to facilitate the sharing of relevant information in an accurate and timely manner.
 Ensure that manpower needs of the unit are met through appointments, promotions and staff development
and training.
 Provides day to day leadership and direction in the development and continual performance improvement of
the unit; oversees and manages the unit’s activities and operations.
 Prepares and manages the budget of the unit and ensures the effective and efficient use of resources.
 Performs any other duties that may be assigned by the Minister, the Permanent Secretary or their
designated officials.

D. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
This job is satisfactorily performed when:
 Policies developed is comprehensive, sustainable and reflects strategic direction of the Ministry of Justice
 Comprehensive Cabinet Submissions developed and submitted within a specified time frame
 Performance frameworks and standards developed and agreed within specified time frame
 Reports are produced in accordance with the established format and submitted within the time frame
required
 Confidentiality and integrity are exercised at all times in keeping with relevant protocols
 Key deliverables are produced within agreed time frames to required standards as agreed
 Units budget and plans are prepared and submitted within established time frame
 Sound technical advice and guidance provided
 Quarterly Performance Reviews prepared on a timely basis.
 Work Plans developed and Performance Appraisal Reports prepared for staff using prescribed formats and
submitted within stipulated time frame.
 Staff properly trained and motivated to deliver efficient office services.

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 E. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
(I. and II. See PMAS Competency framework for behavioural attributes)

I. Core Competencies Level II. Technical/Functional Competencies level

Oral Communication Use of Technology

Written Communication Problem Solving and Decision Making

Integrity Analytical Thinking

Team Work & Cooperation Planning and Organising

Initiative Leadership

Compliance Strategic Vision

Time Management Change Management

Interpersonal Goal/Result Oriented

Adaptability People Management

Customer and Quality Focus Managing External Relationships

III. Other Competencies level

Proven ability to analyse and interpret information for decision making

Proven ability to exercise sound judgment

Proven ability to prioritise amongst conflicting demands and make rational decisions based upon a sound
understanding of the facts in limited

Comprehensive knowledge of the general operations of the machinery of the government, the role,
function and operations of Cabinet and Parliament

Sound knowledge of the operations and functions of government ministries in order to envision and
support opportunities for joined-up policy making

Excellent knowledge of the Government’s overall justice objectives

Excellent understanding of the policy areas covered by the Ministry’s directorate and portfolio
departments and agencies

Ability to manage limited resources in order to achieve challenging output targets

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F. MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

(a) Specific knowledge (however acquired) required to start:

 Policy Development
 Budget
(b) Qualifications and Experience
 Masters degree from a recognized university with an acceptable specialization in management, social
policy, economics, public administration or closely related field
 At least five (5) years of post-qualification experience in a senior management position in either public or
private sector
 At least five (5) years of experience in a senior policy management or policy advisory role
(C) Continuous Professional Development
 Evidence of continual professional development measures taken appropriate to strategic management
and leadership

G. SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

 Normal working condition

 Willingness to travel locally and internationally

H. AUTHORITY

 Certifies travel claims

 Signs off on preparation of unit’s reports and work plans
 Authorize bills for payment
 Approve expenditure for all divisions
 Approve expenditure within assigned limits

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