Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the safeguard of activities, practices, apparatuses and facilities concerning the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, and for directing the technical activities of the accreditation decision-making process.

 Accreditation and Training

1)    Develops, in accordance with international standards, accreditation standards that governs Jamaica and the region.

2)    Serve as Jamaica’s official representative on high-level regional and international accreditation bodies/organizations.

3)    Provides strong leadership and support for the Agency’s technical team while guiding the implementation of technical capacity building initiatives designed to strengthen the monitoring, coordinating and supervisory roles concerning the various business service centres.

4)    Facilitate the strategic expansion of JANAAC’s accreditation services in CARICOM so as to enable greater ease of trade/exports to international markets.

5)    Increasing the number of entities accredited throughout the Caribbean.

6)    Builds the capacity of decision-makers, experts and assessors in the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17011 Standard which governs the national accreditation body as well as other technical or scheme standards.

7)    Identifies, analyses and treats, on an ongoing basis the risks to impartiality arising from JANAACs activities including any conflicts arising from its relationships or from the relationships of its personnel.

8)    Be responsible through legally enforceable agreements for the management of all information obtained or created during the accreditation process.

9)    Shall have authority and responsibility for each of the following:

a)     through the Accreditation Council for the development of policies relating to the operation of the accreditation body;

b)    implementation of the policies, processes and procedures;

c)     development or adoption of activities for the schemes for which it provides accreditation; documenting the rules and processes referring to the relevant International Standards and/or other normative documents.

d)    receive, evaluate and make decisions on complaints and appeals in a timely manner.

e)     accreditation decisions; shall ensure that each decision on granting, maintaining, extending, reducing, suspending and withdrawing accreditation is taken by competent person(s) or committee(s) different from those who carried out the assessment.

f)      provision of adequate resources through contractual arrangements - ensure personnel have appropriate knowledge and skills relevant to the accreditation schemes and geographic areas in which JANAAC operates.

g)    review JANAACs ability to carry out the assessment of the applicant conformity assessment body, in terms of its own policy and procedures, its competence and the availability of personnel suitable for the assessment activities and decision making.

10) Oversees the administration of the accreditation process by:

a)     Ensuring information about accreditation is provided to stakeholders;

b)    Ensure the development, implementation, review and update of quality management policies and procedures within the Agency.

11) Participates in the review and implementation of the Agency’s management system documentation by:

a)     Ensuring its conformance with the international standards and other mandatory accreditation documents;

b)    Conducting a review of the management system on an annual basis;

TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1)    Chairs Trade Facilitation (Portfolio Ministry) and other technical committees aimed at reducing technical barriers to trade;

2)    Chairs planning/implementation committees for the Portfolio Ministry as required;

3)    Prepares technical briefs and analytical reports for the Portfolio Ministry as required;

4)    Represents the Agency and Jamaica at local and international meetings, conferences and other fora;

5)    Evaluates accreditation assessment reports and chairs the accreditation evaluation decision making committee for new accreditations.

6)    Evaluates accreditation surveillance reports and decides upon courses of action to be taken and gives directions for continuation, suspension or withdrawal of accreditation during the accreditation cycle.

7)    Establishes and signs legally enforceable license agreements with each accredited conformity assessment body that requires the conformity assessment body to conform to the policies of JANAAC, requirements of the international standard(s) and mandatory requirements of ILAC and IAF in Jamaica and CARICOM region.

8)    Responsible for the governance and usage of the accreditation trademarks and claims of accreditation status.

9)    Establishes mutual recognition agreements in keeping with national, regional and international protocols;

10) Manages international and regional cooperation, agreements and obligations between the Agency and international organisations;

11) Peer evaluates selected accreditation bodies in the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation;

12) Evaluates reports for accreditation bodies and aids in the decision-making process regarding the signatory recognition to the multilateral accreditation agreement for accreditation bodies in Inter-Americas;

13) Safeguarding of impartiality of accreditation activities and shall not allow commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise impartiality.

14) Plans and ensures the implementation of projects and programmes undertaken by the Agency at the request of MDAs, regional and international bodies and agencies;

15) Collaborates with MDAs and other stakeholders in the development and implementation of national and regional conformity assessment policies;

16) Provides high-level liaison with the Ministry and the entities within the National Quality Infrastructure; and 

17) Participates in, leads and/or provides advice in discussions/negotiations with donor agencies and international development partners to execute programmes.

 Management/Administrative Responsibilities

1)    Provides strong and clear leadership internally to the organisation and its staff and externally to the Agency’s stakeholders.

2)    Provides management oversight and responsibility across the Agency to ensure its effective and efficient operation;

3)    Communicates with the Chairman of the Accreditation Council and the other Directors to ensure that the Council is provided with timely and relevant information necessary to discharge their statutory duties and responsibilities.

4)    Liaises with other Agencies, Ministry Officials, representatives of the private sector, tertiary institutions, non-government organizations, regional and international agencies to achieve objectives.

5)    Formulates recommendations, proposals or guidelines together with explanatory background papers detailing the implications of proposals/plans/programmes and the consequences of proposed action in terms of cost and effect

6)    On an annual basis, and more frequently as required, identify, and review with the Council, the principal business risks associated with the accreditation body.

7)    Maintains awareness of political, governmental, business and industry components of the external environment, on a local, national and international level;

8)    Collaborates with the Council by:

a)     Providing financial and technical reports detailing the Agency’s activities as required;

b)    Developing policies to position the Agency for national and international recognition as an accreditation body;

c)     Developing strategies to promote improved understanding of the Agency’s mandate;

d)    Formulating and implementing procedures to monitor the progress of work programmes;

e)     Preparing alternative strategies to maintain consistent levels of efficacy within the Agency at all times;

f)     Approving the Agency’s annual budget for submission within the requisite time frame;

g)    Providing advice on accreditation and related matters detailing their impact on international trade to appropriate Ministers; and

h)    Monitoring the performance of the Agency 

 Business Development and Strategic Planning

1)    Leads the Agency’s strategic planning process by:

1. Providing strategic direction and vision to the planning process for the fiscal year;
2. Ensuring alignment between and among the National, Ministry and Agency Strategic Goals and Objectives; and
3. Overseeing the Agency’s performance against the Strategic Plan.

2)    Develops business plans, budgets and strategies for approval and implementing the approved plans, budgets and strategies using the Balanced Scorecard;

3)    Maintains oversight of the Agency’s preferred corporate image by:

1. Approving communication and marketing plans, strategies and budgets for the financial year;
2. Monitoring the appropriate use of the Agency’s logo, seal and accreditation marks at all times;
3. Monitoring the use of the accreditation symbols granted to accredited conformity assessment bodies; and
4. Ensuring the success of marketing events staged as scheduled in marketing plans.

 Budgetary and financial

1)    Ensures the Agency’s Strategic Plan is realised by:

1. Approving Strategic and Operational Plans with accompanying Budgets;
2. Approving the implementation of financial auditing processes as required; and
3. Monitoring the Agency’s Operational Plan and Budget, ensuring the organisational mandate are achieved in accordance with stated goals and objectives.

2)    Ensures financial activities are managed within agreed budgets and informing the Council promptly of any material adverse movements to the budget;

3)    Ensures effective and efficient functioning of the Agency and all its Service Centers by:

1. Approving systems for costing and pricing of accreditation and training services; 
2. Reviewing contracts to ensure the appropriateness of terms, conditions and financial obligations;
3. Ensuring all financial and fiduciary reporting and statutory obligations are submitted within the approved schedule.

 Human Resource Responsibilities

1)    Develops and maintains an effective organisational structure by delegating to senior management the functions and responsibilities required to run the operations and growth of the Agency while retaining oversight and ultimate responsibility for the discharge of these functions;

2)    Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports following GOJ’s Performance Management and Appraisal System (PMAS); prepare performance appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action where necessary to improve performance and/or attain established personal and/or organisational goals;

3)    Participates in talent management and recommends recruitment, promotions, termination and leave per established human resource policies and procedures, including the hiring of independent contractors and adjunct Assessors;

4)    Develop and implement a succession plan for the Agency to facilitate continuity and the availability of required skills and competencies to meet its needs;

5)    Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, monitoring and coaching;

6)    Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Agency’s goals; and

7)    Fosters a culture that promotes ethical practices and encourages individual integrity, as set out in the Agency’s core values;

 Administrative Responsibilities

1)    Leads the successful planning, execution and implementation of projects by:

a)     Approving the development of full-scale project plans and associated communication documents;

b)    Ensuring the Agency’s exposure to risks on projects are minimised;

c)     Verifying each defined project scope, success criteria, goals and deliverables align with and support the Agency’s strategic objectives;

d)    Approving changes in project scope, and proposed contingency plans;

e)     Ensuring best practices are adhered to and appropriate tools for project execution and management are made available;

f)     Ensuring resources are available for the completion of projects; and

g)    Establishing priorities and timelines for completion of projects in accordance with the project charter.

 D.             Performance Standards

1)    Produces all key deliverables within the agreed timeframe and to the required standard.

2)    Ensures compliance of the Agency’s projects and work programmes with existing policies and guidelines established by the Minister, the directions of the Council, and Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) objectives and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) practices and systems.

3)    Establishes and promotes the Agency’s Vision, Mission, and set of Core Values among internal and external stakeholders.

4)    Ensures the Agency’s strategic plan is up-to-date with clearly specified organisational goals and objectives.

5)    Promotes a culture of teamwork and esprit de corps among managers and non-managers within the Agency.

6)    Ensures strategic goals and objectives for each year contains timeframes for accomplishment and criteria used to measure accomplishment of goals. 

7)    Consistently evaluates programmes, practices, policies, procedures, protocols and human resources effectively against established standards.

8)    Creates and promotes a healthy organisational culture to realise the mission, strategic directions and goals of the Agency.

9)    Employs creative, innovative problem-solving strategies for adapting to emerging uncertainties and complexities.

10) Assures the continued success of the Agency by monitoring financial and non-financial statutory and non-statutory obligations.

11) Ensures human resource interventions develop well rounded technical and soft skills of contract and permanent employees.

12) Assures the infrastructure is appropriately sound to sustain the Agency’s mandate.

13) Anticipates trends and opportunities affecting accreditation operations and develops an appropriate and timely response.

14) Approves tender and bid documents in accordance with the Government of Jamaica’s Procurement Policy and Guidelines.

15) Ensures the execution the Agency’s fiduciary obligations in keeping with the provisions of the FAA Act, GOJ Procurement Policy and Guidelines and generally accepted accounting principles.

16) Ensures the Agency’s functions are adhered to and executed in accordance with guidelines enunciated in relevant Acts of Parliament.

17) Keeps abreast of guidelines, policies, procedures and legislation impacting deliverables.

18) Maintains a strong positive corporate image at the national, regional and international level.

 E.    Internal Contacts

F.    External Contacts

 G.            Required Competencies

  H.            Minimum Required Qualification And Experience

1)    A Master’s or higher degree in a scientific discipline or a Masters in Business Administration from a recognized university

2)     Bachelor of Science degree from a recognised university

3)    Professional qualifications in audits and conformity assessments as technical or lead assessor.

4)    Specialised training in Management Systems, Accreditation Procedures, Assessor Training and Competence in the relevant Conformity Assessment Standards for the accreditation schemes operated by JANAAC and the ISO/IEC17011 standard for accreditation bodies.

5)    Peer Evaluation Qualification and/or training desirable

6)    Be knowledgeable of the mandatory requirements of the international accreditation organisations.

7)    A clear grasp of the Quality Infrastructure and its pillars.

8)    A minimum of five (5) years proven management experience at an executive level.

I.               Special Conditions Associated With The Job

1)    Frequent high-level meetings with international and regional organizations/bodies

2)    Sitting for long hours

3)    Prolonged periods of concentration

4)    Irregular work hours

5)    Local and international travel