Strategic Objectives of the UNIT

To enable and maintain investments in infrastructure through the construction, maintenance, refurbishing, upgrading and equipping of education facilities.

Job Purpose      

To oversee and efficiently direct the functions of the Infrastructure Management Unit to facilitate the execution of the infrastructure projects and programmes of the National Education Trust (NET).  

KEY OUTPUTS

• Strategic direction and advice provided to the Executive Director
• Standards and Procedures of NET on infrastructure matters
• Sound systems, procedures and operating guidelines developed and implemented for the Unit.
• Proposed construction sites visited with technical team, evaluated and approved
• Drawings for new and renovated buildings reviewed  
• Efficient and cost effective building designs reviewed
• Oversight of work programmes, project plans and budgets developed by the Unit for construction and refurbishing
• Approved construction/renovation of new and existing facilities
• Technical advice
• Project Reports (e.g. inception, progress, post evaluation)
• Appraisals and work plans of direct reports
• Feasibility reports and design proposals
• Annual operational plan,  individual work plan and budgets
• Recommendations on tender applications and presentations
• Effective relationships with MDAs, clients and industry stakeholders

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Technical / Professional Responsibilities

• Develops and leads the periodic review of policies and procedures manuals to enable the operations of the Unit to remain consistent with industry/professional trends and internal NET and/or GoJ’s changes.
• Ensures staff adherence and proper maintenance of records/files and information repositories to support the work of the Unit
  • Directs professional technical staff and consultants in the formulation of building requirements for the various types of educational and youth institutions.
  • Acts as subject matter expert and provides technical advice to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
  • Assists with the formulation of the civil works component of foreign and locally funded projects through the provision of construction standards, site identification, and elemental cost estimates.
  • Leads the technical staff in design for new/refurbished schools, ensuring adequate consideration for the users, such as special needs students/staff; ensures drawings, plans and related documents are prepared according to requirements for submission to the planning authorities for statutory approvals.
  • Maintains contact with approval agencies to facilitate approval process.
  • Provides oversight of the construction process, through site meetings, liaising with project managers, contractors and other technical persons to ensure work is carried out according to plan, minimizing overruns and enabling project completion within budget and timelines. 
  • Contribute to the preparation of technical papers, Cabinet Submissions, Terms of References and other technical documentation.
  • Participate in the evaluation and selection process of service providers.
  • Oversees the preparation of terms of references, bills of quantities, project plans, schedules and risk assessments in a timely manner.
  • Ensures that a system for the storage and security of architectural drawings and other related documents is developed, implemented and maintained.
  • Keeps abreast of trends in engineering in particular for educational and youth facilities and makes recommendations as appropriate for adapting/implementing such trends, especially in cases where they may reduce cost and enhance the quality of buildings and facilities.

Management/Administrative Responsibilities

• Prepares the annual unit work plan and budgets.
• Participates in the crafting of NET’s strategic business plan and annual operational plan and budget.
• Provides routine and special reports for the Executive Director, Board Meetings and Board Committees.
• Prepares routine and special reports and contributes to the preparation of technical articles, position papers, Cabinet Submissions and other documents being developed by the organization.
• Supervises the development of construction costs for major and minor projects as well as standard costs for maintenance activities and inputs, for inclusion in the Ministry’s capital budget.
• Approves payment of invoices as submitted by the external consultants.
• Attend meetings, conferences and other functions on behalf of NET as is required
• Prepare individual work plan

HR Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation of work plans for staff of the unit.
• Conducts performance appraisals of staff  in accordance with established standards
• Provide leadership to staff through effective goal setting, delegation and communication.
• Participate in the recruitment of consultants and staff for the Unit.
• Manage the performance of the Unit and its staff, including transferring skills, motivating staff, setting performance targets, monitoring performance, providing feedback to staff, coaching, mentoring and arranging for training and development as the needs arise.

Other

• Lead the development/review of operating policies and procedures including technical guidelines for the Unit.
• Lead the development of the budget and annual plans for the Unit.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Sound technical advice is consistently provided.
• Work plans of all staff of the unit are prepared in a timely manner
• Performance evaluation of staff is conducted as required
• The Infrastructure Management Unit is operating effectively and efficiently.
• Annual Work Plan and budget prepared and submitted within stipulated time frame.
• Execution of contracts effectively monitored.
• Risk management programme developed and implemented for all projects.
• Oversight of working drawings produced within agreed timeframe and according to the established guidelines and standards.
• Oversight of follow up mechanism implementation for architectural designs.
• Projects are efficiently managed throughout all stages of the project cycle up to completion.
• Site meetings are held as scheduled and appropriate follow-up action taken at all times by the relevant team members.
• Construction programmes are reviewed periodically and directives on corrective actions given to contractors in a timely manner.
• Project management objectives are met within budget and on schedule.
• Reports are accurate and submitted within the given timeframe.
•  Established targets are consistently achieved.
  • Professionalism and integrity are consistently demonstrated in keeping with the established standards of NET
  • Correspondence and reports are prepared in a timely manner and a high level of accuracy maintained.
  • Confidentiality, dependability and tact are consistently displayed in the conduct of duties.

Internal and External Contacts (specify purpose of significant contacts)

Within the National Education Trust and the Ministry of Education & Youth

Contacts external to the organisation required for the achievement of the position objectives

REQUIRED KEY COMPETENCIES

Core

• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills
• Good problem solving and decision making skills
• Excellent time management and organizing skills with ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and pay attention to details
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with persons at all levels including clients, architects, engineering professionals, sub-contractors and construction site workers.
• Ability to engage, influence and lead teams
• Excellent planning and organizing skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in technical areas of specialization at a level to be recognized as subject matter expert.

Technical

• Sound knowledge of Contract Administration
• Knowledge of relevant Acts governing the operations of NET
• Sound knowledge of General Management
• Knowledge of the Ministry of Education & Youth’s policies, rules and regulations
  • Working knowledge of  construction management
  • Knowledge of  government procurement law, policies and procedures
  • Sound knowledge of the policies and regulations of the Integrity Commission
    • Sound technical expertise with well-developed knowledge of project planning and analysis
    • Sound knowledge of Jamaica’s Building Codes,  Standards and  Regulations
    • Knowledge of new methodologies in the construction industry including Green Building Technology
    • Proficiency in the use of  project management and architectural design software e.g. AUTOCAD and other office applications e.g. Microsoft Office Suite

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration or related discipline
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Structural Engineering from an accredited educational institution.
• Certification in project management
• Strong management skills with the ability to lead and influence teams
• Must be a member of the Jamaica Institute of Engineers (J.I.E) and registered professional Civil/Structural Engineer with P.E.R.B. Jamaica
• Professional registration in a construction related discipline
• At least five (5) years’ work experience at a managerial level.

AUTHORITY

• Approve contractor payment certificates
• Approve Practical Completion Certificates
• Approve  Completion Certificates
• Approve completed construction drawings
• Authorizes solutions to Technical problems

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Required to visit construction sites which may be dusty and hazardous
• Long hours of traveling at times to visit sites
• Required to work beyond normal working hours when necessary
• Required to inspect buildings at heights that may be  considered hazardous
• Possession of a valid Driver’s Licence and a reliable motor vehicle