Policy Coordination and Administration

To lead, enhance and support the Mission and Vision of the Ministry of Agriculture by establishing a framework of policy coordination, monitoring, evaluation and information exchange between internal and external clients using technology and human resources to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The Directorate Comprises the following Divisions and Units:

Human Resource Management & Development
Documentation, Information & Access Services
Communication & Public Relations
Corporate Planning & Performance Evaluation
Information & Communication Technology
Facilities & Property Management

The Human Resource Management & Development Division

The Human Resource Management & Development Division, headed by Mrs. Beverley Duncan, 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:–

Human Resource Management headed by Ms Cheres Darby
Human Resource Development headed by Ms Daun Beckford
Documentation, Information & Access Services headed by Mrs Claudette Milford-Allen

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 Human Resource Management Unit include:

Employment (Recruitment and Selection)
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
Employee Welfare — administration of benefits, leave, pension, health and loans
Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) personnel records

The Human Resource Development (HRD) Unit

The Human Resource Development (HRD) Unit, headed by Ms. Daun Beckford, ensures the development of employee skills and competencies needed to achieve the Ministry’s objectives.

Responsibilities of the HRD Unit:

In-house training (personal and professional development)
In-service training (personal and professional development)
External training (local and overseas)
- Study Leave
- Fellowships
- Scholarships
Evaluation of training effectiveness
Management of training centres
Maintaining a training database
Career counselling

The Documentation, Information & Access Services Unit

The Documentation, Information & Access Services Unit, headed by Mrs. Claudette Milford-Allen, 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 which includes:
- Records Management
- 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

The Communication & Public Relations Unit, headed by Mrs. Paula Ramsay-Stimpson, 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.

Responsibilities:

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:
- news releases
- radio and television interviews
- media tours
- advertisements
- 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 Corporate Planning & Performance Management Division

The Corporate Planning & Performance Management Division, headed by Mr. Delroy Coley, has responsibility for the development and implementation of the Ministry’s Strategic and Operational Plans, as well as its Information and Communication Technology. The Unit 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 Information & Communication Technology Unit

The Information & Communication Technology Unit, headed by Mr. Phillip Ashman, is a recently established Unit. Its main functions are:

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

The Unit has three (3) sections. namely:-

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

The Facilities & Property Management Unit

The Facilities & Property Management Unit, headed by Mr. Dwight Ricketts, provides infrastructural support services to the Ministry of Agriculture that enhances the Ministry’s capability to carry out its administrative and technical functions.

Responsibilities of the Facilities & Property Management Unit includes:-

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

Contact:

Mrs. Judith Maloney
Principal Director, Policy Coordination and Administration
Ministry of Agriculture
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
Email: jcmaloney@moa.gov.jm