The Secretary is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Local Authorities in accordance with Section 6 of the Local Government (Unified Service and Employment) Act, 2016. He/She is also the Chief Accountable Officer appointed by the Minister of Local Government under Section 16 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act. He/She provides vision, leadership and general oversight to the assigned Local Authority, develops strategy and policy in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team and ensures that the Local Authority’s mission, direction and core values are incorporated into the Local Authority’s public information programme and provides strategic direction for the Parish, the community, the region and nationally, with regards to implementing policy.
Required knowledge, Skills and Competencies
- Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public policy and a good understanding of national policy issues affecting local government
- Through knowledge of public finance and budgeting
- Skill in effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications
- Ability to negotiate agreements and/or reach consensus with diverse agencies/persons/companies
- Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance and their respective commitments to the parish’s goals
- Skills in resolving conflicts and gaining co-operation among staff members and the wider public
- Ability to articulate and promote the Local Authority’s strategic positions
- Skill in facilitating and collaborating with senior level managers to determine the level of delivering services and solving parish-wide issues
- Ability to identify the parish’s future direction in response to changing scenarios and communicate a vision for appropriate plans and action steps
- Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, advisory boards, the news media and the general public
- Ability to understand the parish’s political environment and sensitivities
Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Friday, 10th February, 2017 to:
Secretary
Local Government Services Commission
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Complex
2nd Floor, G Block
30 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
- First Degree in Business Management Studies, Public Administration, Planning or related field;
- Five (5) or more years of related experience in Local Government.
Or
- Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training.
Key Responsibilities
- Advises and consults with the Chairman/Councillors on policy and strategic leadership in problem-solving Parish wide issues;
- Supports the Parish Councillors in their roles as policy makers and to set strategy and develop positions;
- Responds to a wide variety of unexpected or emerging issues; defends Departments, supports Department’s position/issues;
- Facilitates identification of issues to the leadership team; collaborates and makes decisions;
- Co-ordinates the activities of departments to ensure a consistent approach;
- Oversees, motivates and evaluates Department directors and key personnel to ensure that they collectively achieve their department’s mission;
- Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to teamwork;
- Directs the Local Authority’s public information programme to ensure an effective dissemination of its accomplishments and decisions;
- Provides general oversight and support to all the Directors and Senior Personnel in the Local Authority;
- Serves as a Local Authority’s representative to national, regional and local issues and represents/articulates Parish positions on issues;
- Presents issues and recommendations on major issues requiring the decisions or positions of the Local Authority;
- Ensures the prudent management of the Local Authority’s Budget;
- Ensures the management of monthly and fortnightly personnel;
- Ensures the management and maintenance of all the Local Authority’s Assets and Liabilities;
- Ensures the implementation of lawful resolutions of the Local Authority in accordance with its By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, Local Government (Unified Serves and Employment) Act, 2016 and Government Policy.