Comptroller of Customs

The Department of Customs invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the position of Comptroller of Customs.

Mandate

To provide strategic and operational leadership for the Customs Department by planning, developing, implementing and monitoring policies, systems, procedures and regulatory controls to ensure effective revenue collection, legislative compliance, border enforcement, surveillance, risk management and trade facilitation.

Key Functions

(i)      Serve as Head of Department and, where delegated, Accounting Officer for the Customs Department, and plan, direct and control the operational and administrative functions of the Department.

(ii)    Draft Executive Council papers and develop, implement and periodically review customs policies, systems, procedures and control mechanisms to achieve departmental objectives.

(iii)  Ensure effective enforcement, surveillance, detection and compliance measures in accordance with the Customs Acts and related legislation.

(iv)   Review and evaluate existing policies, systems, procedures and legislation for the Customs function, and initiate and/or recommend improvements to enhance    operational efficiency.

(v)    Liaise with local, regional and international law-enforcement, regulatory and trade bodies to advance national and departmental objectives.

Key Duties

(i)   Proactively lead, direct, administer, and develop operations of the department in accordance with international standards and pursuant to national security strategies, domestic legislation, and international agreements whilst maintaining a culture of continuous improvement.

(ii)  Direct and oversee customs control systems related to freight entry and clearance, warehousing, customs bonds, vessels and aircraft control, and examination and clearance of passenger baggage.

(iii)  Plan, direct and control exemption procedures and policy to minimize revenue leakage.

(iv)Provide technical and strategic advice to the Ministry of Finance and Executive Council on customs-related policies, legislation, procedures, revenue matters, compliance, enforcement and border management.

(v) Liaise with legal, regulatory, statutory and enforcement agencies to facilitate the achievement of desired national public service, ministry and departmental objectives and with overseas bodies to build strategic relationships.

(vi)Plan, implement and monitor human resource utilization and development within the Department to ensure adequacy of productivity, competency and integrity.

(vii) Implement, direct and control the development of Risk Management, Post Clearance and Compliance strategies to ensure conformity with international standards.

(viii) Prepare departmental budget proposals and administer the approved budget, ensuring that resources are managed effectively to support revenue, compliance and enforcement targets and demonstrate value for money.

(ix) Attend meetings, workshops and seminars and represent the Customs Department on national, regional and international committees, working groups and councils.

(x)Ensure the preparation of statutory, operational, financial and statistical reports.

(xi)Exercise statutory functions assigned to the Comptroller under customs legislation, including the delegated responsibility of the Receiver of Wrecks.

(xii) Ensure the development and implementation of intelligence, investigative and operational plans.

(xiii) Prepare performance appraisals for Deputy Comptrollers, Executive Secretary and other staff who report directly to the Comptroller, to ensure the preparation of performance appraisals of staff within the Department as required by the Department of Public Administration.

(xiv) Ensure work plans are completed and that the key performance indicators are realized.

(xv) Develop and implement strategies for improving and maintaining a high level of Customer Service in the Customs Department and ensure the development of policies and procedures for the handling of complaints.

(xvi) Ensure reports of alleged breaches of the law are promptly investigated, and if necessary, the appropriate legal actions taken in accordance with the law.

(xvii) Participate in disaster management activities designed to prepare for, mitigate against and respond to disaster events.

(xviii) Act as a catalyst for change, model change and build capacity for managing change throughout the organization and embrace the use of ICT to improve services offered by the department.

(xix) Live the attributes of the Leadership Statement and foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration.

(xx) Perform other related duties as required by the job function.

Personal Qualifications

The incumbent should possess strong leadership, strategic management, analytical, communication, negotiation and decision-making skills, together with sound judgement, integrity and the ability to manage complex operational, compliance, enforcement and revenue matters. The incumbent should also have well-developed knowledge of customs administration, border management, revenue protection, compliance, enforcement, risk management, trade facilitation and the legislative framework governing customs operations in Anguilla.

These competencies are normally obtained through a university degree or equivalent professional qualification in Customs Administration, Public Administration, Law Enforcement, Economics, Finance, Business Management, Management, Law, International Trade or a related discipline, together with specialised training, certification or professional development in customs administration, border management, compliance, enforcement, risk management, intelligence, investigation, trade facilitation, leadership, public financial management or a related area.

The incumbent should have at least eight years’ relevant experience in customs administration, border management, revenue administration, law enforcement, compliance, public administration or a related field, including at least three years at senior management level. The incumbent should also demonstrate the ability to supervise staff, plan and manage operations, implement policy, manage financial and other resources, lead organisational reform, provide strategic and technical advice to senior officials and decision-makers, and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.