Job Opportunities in RADA

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is Jamaica's principal agricultural extension advisory and rural development agency and is a legislative authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MA&F). Its mandate is carried out by strategically deploying a cadre of managerial, technical, and support employees across its island-wide network of service centres in order to bring the service closer to the farming community. The Authority is seeking qualified persons to fill the following positions:

1. Business Development Officer (GMG/SEG 2) – Kingston

Job Purpose:

In close collaboration with extension officers, assist PMO farmer groups, individual farmers and 4 H members to prepare business plans and access credit institutions such as the People’s Cooperative Bank for new enterprise development. 

Key Responsibility Areas:

Management/ Administrative Responsibilities

• Assistance in the preparation of Annual Parish plans and budgets;
• Development of publicity material, formats for loan applications etc;
• Coordination with loan officers of PCB’s, Credit Unions and other agencies involved in financing the rural sector;

Technical/ Professional Responsibilities

• Training of  extension officers and their assistants in business management, loan application procedures, cash flow management, business plan appraisal etc;
• Preparation of monthly progress reports and their timely submission to head office.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• B.Sc. in Management StudiesTwo
• (2) years relevant work experience.

2. Coordinator, Agri-Linkages Exchange Programme (GMG/SEG 3)  Contract– Kingston

Job Purpose:                                                                                                                    

Under the direct supervision of the Manager – Production and Marketing, the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that RADA develops a sound reputation through the successful implementation of the Agri-Linkage Exchange Programme which involves partial finance by the Tourism Linkage Network, Ministry of Tourism. This will involve paying particular attention to supporting farmers and the demand from the hotel industry particularly. S/he will therefore be responsible for ensuring that terms and conditions are negotiated which lead to the strengthening of RADA’s capacity to help all farmers and hoteliers among other end users to their best interests.

Key Responsibility Areas:

Management and Administrative

• The timely preparation of work plans, programme estimates, and quarterly and annual progress reports to the high standards required
• The preparation of correspondence on all aspects of project cycle management for signature by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in relation to gaining markets for farmers and end-users;
• Attendance at workshops, field days, signing, opening and closing ceremonies
• Interact with the Tourism Linkage Network, and Ministry of Tourism in the monitoring of international projects and programmes.
• Maintenance of a set of files on each project/programme operating in the field of rural development within Jamaica;
• Maintain a database of consultants/technical assistants willing and capable to work with RADA on the AgriLinkages programme.

Technical and Professional

• Assist in the preparation of terms of reference for project/ programme design, implementation mid-term and post evaluation  missions
• Assistance in the preparation of key project documents such as Project Fiches, Financing Proposals, Financing Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding etc
• Attending workshops/ seminars /and conferences on behalf of RADA;
• Assisting in the preparation of new project proposals for future donor financing.
• Attending regular meetings of thematic groups involved with rural development on behalf of RADA.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• At least B.Sc.  Degree in Agriculture, Marketing, Management Studies or any other relevant discipline.
• Certificate in Project  Management and /Rural Development
• A minimum of 2 years experience in the relevant field

3. Public Procurement Officer (GMG/AM 3) – Kingston

Job Purpose

The Public Procurement Officer under the general supervision of the Director, Public Procurement is to assist in the procurement processes required for the acquisition of goods and services essential for the operation of the MDA. The incumbent will ensure that all procurements are conducted in accordance with the Government of Jamaica procurement guidelines and procedures (Public Procurement Act 2015).

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares Tender notices and advertisements;
• Prepares RFQ for goods, general services and minor works;
• Obtains quotations/tenders from appropriately qualified suppliers;
• Represents Procurement Unit at Tender closing and opening exercises as Tender Officer;
• Maintains Procurement records in good order to facilitate audit and other reviews;
• Prepares Quarterly Contracts Award Report to be submitted to The Contractor General’s Office (QCA Report);
• Maintains a database of all bonds and insurances and ensures that they are current at all times and takes responsibility for the safekeeping and return of all relevant documents.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Diploma in Public Administration/Management Studies/Accounting or any other related field;
• Three (3) years of procurement experience, in a similar position.

4. Secretary 3 (OPS/SS 3) – Trelawny

Job Purpose

 Under the supervision of the Parish Agricultural Manager, the secretary is responsible for providing secretarial and stenographic services in accordance with standardized procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

• Records letters, memoranda, and reports in shorthand; uses a personal computer to reproduce same in a suitable typewritten form.
• Type reports, forms, letters and memoranda from written drafts; proofreads typed material before submission to supervisor for review.
• Keeps appointment diary for the supervisor and schedules appointments and meetings subject to confirmation.
• Receives, opens, records and distributes incoming mail.
• Keeps simple records; Files correspondence and other material.
• Faxes/photocopies documents as required.
• Answers the telephone and transfers call to a supervisor or redirects callers to the appropriate officer/office; records and delivers messages as necessary.
• Greets and screens visitors; provide them with routine information about the Authority or directs them to the relevant officers or office.
• Maintains stationery supplies.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Certificate from an accredited Secretarial School with proficiency in typewriting at a speed of 50-55 words per minute and shorthand at a speed of 100-120 words per minute., Training in Word Processing Applications and English Language at CXC or GCE O’ Level.
• 3 years experience in the Secretarial field

                                       OR

• CXC or GCE O’ Level Standard including the English Language with proficiency in Type Writing/Computer Skills at a speed of 50-55 words per minute and Shorthand at a speed of 100-120 words per minute and the use of Microsoft Office Suite
• 4-5 years of Secretarial Experience

                                      OR

• Successful completion of the prescribed Secretarial Course of study at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) or any Accredited Secretarial Studies
• 1-year experience at a Secretary’s level

Please submit your Applications and Resume by Friday, June 16, 2023, to:

Senior Director – Human Resource Management & Administration

Rural Agricultural Development Authority

Hope Gardens

KINGSTON 6

Or email:  jobs@rada.gov.jm

Note you should place the job title in the subject of the email when applying.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.