The Human Resource Management & Development Division is responsible for industrial relations and for directing, coordinating, communicating and ensuring the implementation of the Ministry’s plans, programmes and initiatives associated with the following Units:–

1. Human Resource Management
2. Human Resource Development
3. Documentation, Information & Access Services
4. Organizational Development Unit

Human Resource Management Unit (HRM)

The Human Resource Management Unit ensures that developments in agriculture are supported by an adequate supply of human resources and implements and maintains relevant policies, systems and procedures in a manner that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness of performance. Responsibilities of the unit include:

1. Employment (Recruitment and Selection)
2. Provision of Human Resource information and ensuring adherence to the Rules and Regulations as outlined in the Public Service orders and Public Service Regulations 1961
3. Employee Welfare — administration of benefits, leave, pension, health and loans
4. Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) personnel records

Human Resource Development (HRD) Unit

The Human Resource Development (HRD) Unit ensures the development of employee skills and competencies needed to achieve the Ministry’s objectives through:

1. In-house training (personal and professional development)
2. In-service training (personal and professional development)
3. External training (local and overseas)
   1. Study Leave
   2. Fellowships
   3. Scholarships
4. Evaluation of training effectiveness
5. Management of training centres
6. Maintaining a training database
7. Career counselling

Organizational Development Unit

The Organizational Development Unit provides management advisory and support service to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. Activities include:-

1. Conducting organizational reviews within the Ministry of Agriculture
2. Conducting systems and procedures studies
3. Supporting the Performance Management and Appraisal System (PMAS) and other reform initiatives

Documentation, Information & Access Services Unit

The Documentation, Information & Access Services Unit has as its main objective the provision of an efficient and economical corporate-wide Records Management programme which is geared towards the overall maintenance, protection, retention and disposition of the Ministry’s records in accordance with Government Regulations, legal requirements, historical and reference needs. This Unit also ensures the development and dissemination of agricultural information which is dynamic, current and relevant for research and general consultation in order to facilitate the achievement of government goals and policies and for the fulfillment of the Access to Information Act.

Responsibilities of the Unit:

• The Registry, includes Records Management and Mail Management
• Library Services
• Access to Information
• Oversight of records management and Access to Information in agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture

The Communication & Public Relations Unit disseminates information on the Ministry’s programmes, as well as those of its executive and advisory agencies, to the farming community, stakeholders within the sector and to the general public, using the commercial media and the Jamaica Information Service as its primary channels. Additional responsibilities of the Unit are:

• To develop a Communication Policy which establishes an appropriate framework for the articulation of information on Government/externally-funded programmes and policy initiatives within the Ministry, its executive and advisory agencies
• To develop, implement and co-ordinate a composite Public Relations Programme for the Ministry and all the entities under its portfolio, together with specifically targeted interventions to educate specially targeted groups on new projects or policy initiatives
• To highlight key Ministry programmes and to make stakeholders aware of available assistance under select projects through:
1. news releases
2. radio and television interviews
3. media tours
4. advertisements
5. news conferences
• To showcase research findings, programme successes and investment opportunities within the sector through the mounting of Road Shows and expositions
• To provide support to all the Divisions and Agencies of the Ministry in publicizing their annual (calendar) activities
• To write annual reports, brochures and speeches highlighting successful initiatives throughout the sector

The Facilities & Property Management Unit provides infrastructural support services to enhance the Ministry’s capability to carry out its administrative and technical functions. The responsibilities of the unit include:-

1. Building & Property Maintenance —undertakes the planning, organization and supervision of works in the Ministry of Agriculture Island-wide;
2. Fleet Management —supervises, assigns and maintains the Ministry’s vehicular fleet;
3. Office Management & General Services —ensures satisfactory working environment is provided and maintained for staff;
4. Security & Energy —provides a security service that protects all the Ministry’s Personnel, Buildings, Properties and other Assets;
5. Disaster Preparedness —implements a disaster prevention and preparedness programme for the Ministry of Agriculture

The Corporate Planning & Performance Management Division has responsibility for the development and implementation of the Ministry’s Strategic and Operational Plans, as well as its Information and Communication Technology. The Division is also responsible for monitoring the performance of the Ministry as both plans are implemented and ensuring that agreed standards of performance are adhered to. In this way, the efficient use of resources is safeguarded and accountability is facilitated.

The Division comprises the:

1. Information & Communication Technology Unit

The main functions of the unit are:

1. To provide the Ministry and its Agencies with reliable, timely, accurate and cost-effective electronic processing of data
2. To develop and enhance the strategic use of Information and Communication Technology in the Ministry
3. To establish Information and Communication Technology policies and standards for the Ministry
4. To encourage the appropriate level of cost-effective Information, and use of Communication Technology
5. To manage the Ministry’s Information and Communication Technology resources

These functions are carried out by three (3) sub-sections, namely:-

1. Infrastructure Services responsible for:
   1. Hardware, software and network infrastructure selection, installation, configuration, operation, maintenance and upgrading
   2. Deployment of hardware and software
2. Applications Services responsible for:
   1. Defining business application systems
   2. Database design, development, administration and maintenance
   3. Design, development and maintenance of websites, intranets
3. End-user Services responsible for:
   1. Helpdesk services
   2. End user computing support and training