CIVIL SERVICE OF JAMAICA

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Job Description and Specification

PRESENT JOB TITLE: Director, Management Information Systems

PROPOSED JOB GRADE: MIS/IT 8

POST #: 50650

DIVISION: Corporate Services

REPORTS TO: Principal Director, Corporate Services

MANAGES: Systems Administrator, Application Development

Specialist, Senior Application Support Officer

THIS DOCUMENT IS VALIDATED AS AN ACCURATE AND TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE

JOB AS SIGNIFIED BELOW

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Employee Date

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Manager/Supervisor Date

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Head of Department/Division Date

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Date received in Human Resource Division Date created/revised

Last updated May 2021 1

JOB PURPOSE

Under the general direction of the Principal Director – Corporate Services, the Director, Management
Information Systems, strategical drives day to day functional delivery of MIS services and programmes
that reflect contemporary best practice and achieves optimal outcomes for the Ministry of Science,
Energy and Technology’s strategic operational and business requirements.

KEY OUTPUTS

 Management Information Systems (MIS) strategies and policies formulated and implemented;
 MIS resources/solutions sourced, procured, deployed and maintained;
 MIS security and reliability Mechanisms implemented and monitored;
 MIS Risk assessment, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies formulated and
implemented;
 Standard operating systems and service level agreements policies formulated and implemented;
 Corporate, Strategic and Operational Plans, Budget Prepared;
 Annual/Quarterly/Monthly/Periodic Reports Prepared;
 Advice and Interpretation Provided;
 Individual Work plan Developed;
 Staff Appraisals Conducted.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Management/Administrative Responsibilities

 Provides professional advice, interpretation and recommendation around the functional areas of
Management Information Systems;
 Undertakes planning with senior staff to determine targets and goals for the activities of the
Management Information Systems Branch, ensuring standardization of accompanying
procedures;
 Contributes significantly with the development and monitoring of the Division’s
Strategic/Operational Plan and Budget;
 Establishes quality customer service principles, standards and measurements for the Division;
 Develops Individual Work Plan based on strategic alignment with MSET’s Operational Plan;
 Establishes and maintains various Management Information Systems Committees that makes
recommendations for the implementation of improved procedures and systems;
 Represents the MSET at meetings, conferences and other fora as needed.

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

 Directs the delivery of high-quality Management Information Systems across the organisation to
provide optimal levels of support for the MSET’s key operational requirements;

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  Directs the development, implementation, evaluation and reporting of the MSET’s MIS strategic,
business and operating plans and associated projects, ensuring alignment with the strategic
directions of the organisation;
 Drives the development of standard operating procedures and best practices, including providing
written protocols and guidance to MIS staff and to end-users;
 Directs the development and implementation all MIS policies and procedures, including those
for architecture, security, disaster recovery, MIS reliability, standards, MIS purchasing, and
service provision;
 Identifies and defines specific MIS business requirements in collaboration with directors,
managers, users across the organisation and third-party stakeholders to inform the development
of tailored MIS solutions;
 Directs systems development and enhancement and the integration of new systems within
existing systems;
 Drives the implementation and delivery of new systems, technologies and services to deliver
innovative and flexible MIS solutions that achieve business requirements;
 Directs the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade, and support of all MIS
systems, including servers, PCs, operating systems, telephones, software applications, and
peripherals;
 Drives ongoing analysis and review of MIS service delivery to identify opportunities to improve
and enhance the services for the organisation;
 Negotiates and administers vendor, outsourcer, and consultant contracts and service agreements;
 Provides expertise and support during systems upgrades, installations, conversions and file
maintenance;
 Ensures the creation and maintenance of all written documentation, including system and user
manuals, license agreements, and documentation of modifications and upgrades;
 Directs provision of end-user services, including service/help desk and technical support
services;
 Directs the development of the staff to meet the changing needs of users, groups and offices; new
projects and technologies; and varying staff strengths;
 Keeps current with the latest technologies and determine what new technology solutions and
implementations will meet business and system requirements;
 Collaborates with critical staff to develop strategies and plans to enhance client services, improve
user effectiveness, and foster innovation;
 Communicates regularly with executive management and all users of MIS services and systems;
 Reviews and approves training modules aimed at strengthening the MIS processes within the
MSET and its agencies and departments;
 Develops mechanisms to manage reform and change, by implementing change management
processes, that clarify purpose and the benefits of continuous improvements;
 Provides expert advice, briefings and support to senior executives on all matters relating to
functional area;
 Establishes and maintains linkages with international organizations to keep abreast of trends in
MIS/ICT that impact directly on the portfolio responsibilities of the MSET.

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Human Resource Management Responsibilities

 Provides leadership and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication,

training, mentoring and coaching;
 Evaluates and monitors the performance of staff in the Branch and implements appropriate
strategies;
 Coordinates the development of individual work plans and recommends performance targets for
the staff assigned;
 Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Division;
 Recommends transfer, promotion and leave in accordance with established Human Resource
Policies and Procedures;
 Identifies skills/competencies gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning
for the Division to ensure adequate staff capacity;
 Monitors the performance of staff and facilitates the timely and accurate completion of the staff
annual performance appraisals and other periodic reviews;
 Ensures the well - being of staff supervised;
 Effects disciplinary measures in keeping with established guidelines/practices.

Other Responsibilities

 Performs any other duties assigned from time to time.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS

Internal Nature of Relationship

PS Receive guidance
Identify emerging issues in Management Information
Principal Director, Corporate Systems Matters
Services

ICT Division To request Policy advice and support;

Participating in the development and monitoring of the
National ICT strategic plan
Executive Management To receive information
Provide expert advice, counsel and recommendations
on Management Information Systems decisions and
initiatives
All staff members To receive and provide information
External Nature of Relationship
e-Gov Agency To collaborate on Management Information Systems
issues
To request technical advice and support
Other MDAs Providing/requesting information on ICT matters
Professional Groups, Universities Providing/requesting information on ICT matters

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 and other Educational Institutions
ICT Professionals Providing/requesting information on ICT matters
Local and International ICT Liaising on ICT services provided to the Ministry
Consultants and Institutions
ICT Hardware/Software and Providing/requesting information on ICT matters
Services Providers

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

 MIS strategies and policies are realistic, comprehensive, relevant and delivered in stipulated
timeframes;
 MIS resources/solutions meet the organisation’s needs and acquired in agreed timeframes;
 The integrity, availability, security and reliability of the organisation’s computerized information
and assets are effectively maintained;
 Oversight of the design, development, and implementation of new applications and the
maintenance of installed business systems are effective and delivered in agreed timelines;
 The performance of information technology projects and solutions is effectively monitored and
supported;
 Technical advice and recommendations provided are sound and supported by
qualitative/quantitative data;
 Corporate, strategic and operational plans developed and implemented within established
guidelines, resources and timeframes;
 Work plans conform to established procedures and implemented accorded to establish rules;
 Reports are evidence-based and submitted in a timely manner;
 Staff managed according to GOJ HR and other established practices and performance appraisals
and reviews done and submitted in accordance to agreed timeframe and standards;
 Confidentiality, integrity and professionalism displayed in the delivery of duties and interaction
with staff.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

The Performance Management and Appraisal System: Guideline System and Reference Manual –
Competency Framework informed the following with grade ‘1’ being the lowest and ‘3’ or ‘4’ the
highest

Core Level Functional Level

Oral communication 4 Use of technology (relevant computer
Written communication 4 applications such as Microsoft Office suite
Customer and quality focus 3 Managing external relationships
Team work and cooperation 4 Technical Skills: knowledge of ICT systems
Interpersonal skills 4 analysis and design, knowledge of systems
Compliance 2 networking, hardware engineering and database

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 Integrity 4 management, knowledge of standards and
Change management 2 procedures in the development and
implementation of ICT systems, knowledge of
the local and international ICT systems
environment, including standards, practices and
trends, knowledge of project management
principles and practices, understanding of
Project Management principles and lifecycle,
Ability to manage a range of projects types and
complex business initiatives and change
programmes, experience of resource planning
against the prioritised portfolio of projects,
capability to track project benefits realisation
and lessons learnt activities to feed into on-going
improvements,

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

 Master’s Degree in Computer Science, ICT, Management Information Systems or a related

discipline;
 Training in Leadership/Supervisory Management;
 Five (5) years related experience, with at least two (2) years in a senior management capacity in
an MIS environment.

OR

 Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, ICT, Management Information Systems or a related

discipline;
 Training in Leadership/Supervisory Management;
Seven (7) years related experience, with at least four (4) years in a senior management capacity
in an MIS environment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

 Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized
software. The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders
and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions. May be
required to travel locally and internationally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.

AUTHORITY

 Recommends strategic direction of Branch;

 Recommends local policy proposal in the MIS functional areas;

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  Recommends budgetary requirements for the Branch;
 Provides information to consultants;
 Reviews reports and makes recommendations;
 Approves performance management reports;
 Recommend staff for training, promotions, etc.;
 approves leave for direct reports.

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