HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
Operational Plans 2009-2010

POLICY

OBJECTIVES

STRATEGIES

MAJOR TASKS/TARGETS

PERFORMANCE MEASURES/
INDICATORS

PHYSICAL TARGETS/RESOURCES NEEDDED

QUARTER 1

QUARTER 2

QUARTER 3

QUARTER 4

To ensure that developments in Agriculture are supported by an adequate supply of Human and Organizational Resources and to develop and maintain relevant policies, Systems and Procedures in a manner that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness of performance.

To ensure that competent Human Resources are provided to fill critical vacancies in accordance with the Ministry’s needs and Government Policy.

Maintain an adequate level of Human Resources, sufficiently diversified in expertise to meet all corporate needs.

Identify all human resource needs with the Ministry of Agriculture

Human Resource needs identified and prioritized by June 30, 2009

Review established posts against organizational needs

On going

On going

On going

 

 

 

Identify and prioritize all critical vacancies

Number of critical vacancies kept within 10% of the establishment

Identify and prioritize critical positions to be filled

On going

On going

Ongoing

 

 

 

Fill all vacancies using the most suitable method of recruitment

80% of critical vacancies filled within six (6) months

Fill vacancies

On going

On going

On going

 

 

 

Provide orientation to new members of staff on assumption of duties

Orientation provided within the first week of assumption of duties

On going

On going

On going

On going

 

 

Attract, develop and retain a cadre of staff of the highest quality

Executive established recruitment and selection procedures

The most suitable candidates are recruitment, selection, transfer, assignments promotion or appointment to relevant posts

Most appropriate selection method utilized to fill vacancies

On going

On going

On going

 

Properly administer Staff Benefits

Properly administer the Leave Management System in order to minimize operational disruptions

Monitor, maintain and coordinate the leave entitlement records of all employees

90% of vacation leave records fully updated by March 2008 and certified for accuracy and completeness

Update and circulate Leave Roster

Update Vacation Leave Records

On going

On going

 

 

 

Modernization of the Human Resource Leave process

Human Resource Leave computerized and readily available

Liaise with ICT for formulation of programme

On going

On going

Needs identified and requests made for

 

 

 

 

100% Departmental Leave updated by December 5, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100% of employees informed in writing of leave eligibility upon request

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No substantial complaints contesting the accuracy and response time of the Leave Management System

 

 

 

 

 

 

Properly administer the Pensions/
Retirement System
In order to ensure that the retirement process is maintained and implemented

Request information on officers who will attain age 59 years during Financial Year 2008/09

Information received and submitted to the Office of the Services Commissions by end of March 2009

Period of Service Records retrieved and updated

 

 

 

 

 

Administer the payment of increments to staff based upon satisfactory Performance Reviews

Submit approval for payment to Finance and Accounts Division

Approval submitted within seven (7) days of receipt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain up-to-date Personal Records of staff

Request personal information in keeping with Staff Order 2.1 (a) in order to update Personal Records

 

Personal Records of staff updated by end of the 4th Quarter

Information requested and records updated

On going

On going

Updating of records completed

 

 

Provide information on request of staff to Financial Institutions and Embassies

Prepare job letters with relevant information

Letters prepared within three (3) days of receipt

On going

On going

On going

On going

 

To ensure the orderly conduct of the workforce of the Ministry

Properly administer the Disciplinary and Grievance Management process of the Ministry

Inform members of staff of the Ministry’s Disciplinary Code, Code of Conduct and various aspects of the Staff Orders and public Service Regulation

90% of employees surveyed feel that they are kept award, in a timely manner about the conduct and acceptable behaviour expected at the workplace

Communicate to member of staff located at the Head Office and outstations information contained in the Staff Orders and Disciplinary Code

On going

On going

Survey conducted

 

 

 

Keep a full and accurate account of serious infractions and recommend appropriate disciplinary responses

All disciplinary matters referred to the Disciplinary Committee for action

Ensure that thorough investigations are carried out

Ensure that thorough investigations are carried out

Ensure that thorough investigations are carried out

Ensure that thorough investigations are carried out

 

 

 

 

No substantial complaints contesting the fairness and/or transparency of the Disciplinary & Grievances Management Process

Present findings in a clear unambiguous manner so that recommendations are perceived to be fair and dignity of individuals maintained

 

 

 

Review Monthly Attendance Reports on attendance of staff and take action as required

Monthly Attendance Reports prepared and submitted

Meeting held with staff members who are unpunctual.  Letters written to perpetual latecomers, cases referred to the Disciplinary Committee.

On going

On going

On going

 

 

 

Participate in emoluments negotiations for claims submitted by Parastatal Bodies and Agencies

Claims costed within one week of receipt

Meetings attend

 

 

 

 

To successfully administer the staff Welfare Programmes of the Ministry so as to ensure the well-being and Conditions of Service for members of staff

Identify issues that impact on the well being of staff

Arrange meetings with members of staff and liaise with EAP

Issue identified, documented and addressed

Meetings held/staff members referred to EAP for counselling in-house

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrange Health Coverage of staff members and liaise with Healthcare provider on issues affecting staff

New members of staff are enrolled after the first month of assuming duties

Applications processed and submitted to Healthcare Provider

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issues affecting staff are referred to Healthcare Provider three (3) days following queries

Healthcare Provider notified of issues affecting staff

On going

On going

On going

 

 

 

Request replace of furniture and equipment for staff

Furniture provided as follows:

Chairs and computers

Requisitions prepared and submitted to Procurement Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue to monitor operations of the Ministry’s Canteen and establish guidelines for improvement of service

Canteen is operating in keeping with established guidelines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrange and coordinate presentations/visits by Healthcare Providers and Financial Institutions

Visits arranged and staff informed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrange Retirement function  for recent retirees

Retirement Function held before end of Financial Year

 

 

 

 

 

To ensure a well developed and highly skilled workforce that will successfully support the Mission of the Ministry

 

Administer the New Performance Management and Appraisal System (PMAS)

Review and create Work Plans and Job descriptions

Work Plans and Job Descriptions created

Meetings held with Heads of Division/Staff

Notify Managers to conduct mid-year Review and complete the relevant sections of the PAF and submit them

Report on Mid-year Reviews and Training & Development Plans from Managers

Notify staff in advance of deadline for completing final appraisal

 

 

 

Trained and retrain Managers in administering the Performance Management and Appraisal System (PMAS)

 

Managers trained

Training delivered

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure proper completion of Performance Review and submit to Director of Human Resource for appropriate action

 

Properly completed Performance Reviews

On going

On going

On going

Carry out required course of action

 

 

Strengthen the skills and competences of staff

Provide training for Human Resource Officers in administering the Performance Appraisal Form (PAF)

Schedules of training needs prepared and submitted within one month of receipt of PER

 

On going

On going

On going

On going

 

 

 

Provide rewards for recognition of outstanding

Rewards and Recognition System implemented

Meetings of the Recognition and Rewards committee

 

On going

On going

Rewards Function held

 

 

 

Performance of all members of staff in the Ministry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provide support under the restructuring programme for the Ministry

Liaise with relevant teams and Cabinet Office, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, The Ministry’s Finance and Accounts Division

 

Prepare new structure

 

Write Job Descriptions

Prepare costing for new structures

New structures prepared and submitted to Cabinet Office

Job Descriptions written

Costing prepared and submitted

On going

On going

On going

On going

 

To ensure that the Organagrams for the Ministry and its Divisions are current

Continuously monitor and amend Organagrams in accordance with the Ministry’s goals and objectives

 

Discuss/liaise with Permanent Secretary/Heads of Division to prepare Organagrams

Organagrams produced in keeping with the Ministry’s goals and objectives

On going

On going

On going

On going

 

Review systems and structure in the Ministry

Convene meetings with Heads of Department, Cabinet Office and Ministry of Finance

 

Conduct the Systems & Procedures studies and recommend the appropriate changes and interventions

Studies conducted, new systems and procedures implemented and monitored

On going

On going

On going

 

 

Review the establishment of posts within the Ministry

Provide accurate and up-to-date information on all posts and post numbers within the Ministry

 

Collaborate with the Cabinet Office Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and Heads of Division

Post recommended to be abolished

Post verified and new post created

On going

On going

On going

On going

 

Provide accurate information on the Government of Jamaica’s Human Resource Policy and Procedures

To educate all members of Staff on the Human Resource Management Policy and Procedures in the Public Service

 

Develop Human Resource Manual
Sensitize Staff

First draft of Manual developed by June 2009

On going

First draft developed

 

 

 

Ensure that recommendations are made for the grant of work permits to expatriates within the Agricultural Sector

 

Maintain a proper system to utilize technical experts in the Agricultural Sector to gather information

Communicate with Technical experts to facilitate in investigation/site visits

Recommendations for work permits submitted to Work Permit Committee within one (1) week of receipt of reports from technical experts

On going

On going

On going

On going

 

 

 

Attending weekly meetings of the Ministry of Labour Work Permit Committee and recommend the grant of Work Permit

 

Meetings attended at the Ministry of Labour on a weekly basis

Attend Work Permit Committee Meeting

Attend Work Permit Committee Meeting

Attend Work Permit Committee Meeting