Chief Technical Director, Climate Change and Meteorological Services (GMG/CTD 1)

The Chief Technical Director (CTD) provides high-level strategic, technical, and policy leadership for the Climate Change and Meteorological Services Branch to advance Jamaica’s sustainable development agenda.

The Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change is seeking to recruit a suitably qualified person to fill the vacant post of Chief Technical Director, Climate Change and Meteorological Services (GMG/CTD 1) salary range $11,455,206.00 to $15,405,979.00 per annum.

The Chief Technical Director (CTD) provides high-level strategic, technical, and policy leadership for the Climate Change and Meteorological Services Branch to advance Jamaica’s sustainable development agenda. The CTD ensures the delivery of world-class meteorological, climatological, and environmental monitoring services that support national planning, climate resilience, environmental stewardship, disaster preparedness, and economic competitiveness in alignment with Vision 2030 Jamaica, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), regional frameworks, and international climate and meteorological obligations.

The incumbent serves as the Government’s chief advisor on meteorology, climate science, and atmospheric risk; leads Jamaica’s representation in regional and international climate and meteorological institutions; and ensures the nation meets its obligations under global agreements and conventions such as the WMO, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework, and associated multilateral arrangements.                                                                                                                                  

Technical / Professional

• Provides visionary leadership in the development and implementation of Jamaica’s national meteorological, climatological, and climate resilience programmes consistent with Vision 2030 National Outcome 14 Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change, and related SDGs;
• Leads the formulation of integrated policy frameworks for climate mitigation, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and atmospheric monitoring;
• Advises senior government officials on climate risk integration into national development policies, budgeting cycles, infrastructure planning, and sectoral strategies;
• Represents Jamaica at key regional and international negotiations, including:
• UNFCCC COP
• IPCC Working Groups
• WMO Congress and technical committees
• GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund engagements
• CARICOM and ACS climate frameworks
• Ensures Cabinet Submissions and policy proposals are grounded in rigorous scientific evidence, climate modelling outputs, risk assessments, and international obligations;
• Oversees the development and implementation of national meteorological and climate research programmes, ensuring alignment with global best practices and Jamaican socio-economic priorities;
• Provides technical oversight for weather prediction systems, climate models, early warning systems, hydrometeorological tools, and vulnerability assessments;
• Ensures compliance with Jamaica’s global climate commitments, including:
• National Communications (NC)
• Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR)
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Sendai Framework reporting
• Coordinates with international development and climate finance partners to secure funding for climate resilience, hazard monitoring, and modernization projects;
• Integrates climate and meteorology considerations into national sectors such as energy, agriculture, tourism, water resources, health, and urban development;
• Develops, implements, and maintains a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework to track national climate and meteorological programme performance;
• Strengthens Jamaica’s institutional and technical capacity in meteorology through innovation, technology transfer, and global collaboration.

2. Administrative / Human Resource Management

• Leads workforce planning, recruitment, and succession planning for the Branch in collaboration with HRMD;
• Sets strategic and operational performance targets and leads the implementation of the performance management system for all staff;
• Ensures the Branch’s human resource needs are continuously aligned with evolving climate and meteorological priorities;
• Identifies training needs and facilitates continuous professional development to strengthen national climate and meteorological expertise;
• Promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making;
• Administers leave, attendance, and staff welfare programmes in accordance with public service regulations;
• Prepares technical papers, presentations, and reports for national, regional, and international forums;
• Maintains robust scientific and technical exchange with global meteorological institutions;
• Provides executive oversight for financial management across the Branch’s cost centres, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and compliance;
• Ensures timely payment of Jamaica’s financial obligations to regional and international meteorological bodies;
• Leads organizational change management, modernization, and reform initiatives within the Branch;
• Ensures adherence to occupational health and safety standards and promotes a safe, supportive work environment.

3. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Reviews the Branch’s organizational structure and resource need to maximise its contribution to national development and climate resilience;
• Provides direct oversight to the Weather, Climate, IT, and Administrative/Support Services Sections;
• Ensures coordinated planning, performance monitoring, and timely delivery of outputs across all units.