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 centers in order to bring the service closer to the farming community. The Authority is seeking qualified persons to fill the following positions:

1.    Manager - Financial Accounts (FMG/PA 3)

2.    Parish Accounting Technician 2 (FMG/AT 2)

3.    Director, Human Resource Development (GMG/SEG 2)

4.    Web / Database Programmer (MIS/IT 5)

5.    Vegetable Specialist (Agronomist) (SOG/ST 8)

6.    Food Technologist (SOG/ST 6)

 

1.     MANAGER - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS (Chief Accountant) (FMG/PA 3)

Under the direction of the Senior Director – Finance & Accounts,  the Manager – Financial Accounts (Chief Accountant) is responsible for the official operation of the Financial Accounts and Salaries Units, which include maintaining accurate recordkeeping of funds received and disbursed for both Recurrent and Capital accounts and the payment of salaries and statutory and other authorized deductions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees the preparation of the monthly financial reports to the Director and Senior Director
2. Oversees RADA’s internal control and financial accounts functions in accordance with established regulations.
3. Assists the Loan Committee in administration of loans
4. Develops detailed work schedule for the staff of the unit
5. Ensures maintenance of accounts regarding the various staff loans and advances
6. Ensures timely remittance of Statutory Deductions and the preparation of Annual Returns and prepares Certificates of Payment for submission as required

 

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

1. Excellent communicator
2. Problem solving skills
3. Skills in operating computerized accounting systems
4. Good team skills
5. Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
6. Ability to cope well under pressured working conditions and to meet deadlines

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE    

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounts or Finance with successful completion of relevant Government Accounting and Auditing Courses.

At least five (5) years experience in Government Accounting

 

 

2.    PARISH ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN 2 (FMG/AT 2)

Under the direction of the Parish Chief Accountant the Parish Accounting Technician is responsible for checking bills for payments, preparing payment vouchers, salaries, bank reconciliation statements and the input of data into the MS Great Plains Accounting Software.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Certifies correct claims as checked and in order
2. Performs duties in the absence of the Parish Chief Accountant.
3. Ensures that payment vouchers are numbered in the sequence of cheques issued
4. Examines bills/claims for accuracy and certification
5. Prepares payment vouchers and ensures that proper supporting documents are attached
6. Reconciles Parish Office’s bank accounts and prepares Bank Reconciliation Statements monthly

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

1. Excellent leadership and teambuilding skills
2. Excellent analytical and judgment skills
3. Excellent planning and organizing skills
4. Problem solving skills
5. Skills in operating computerized accounting systems
6. Ability to cope well under pressured working conditions and to meet deadlines

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE    

Four GCE O’Level or CXC Subjects including English and Mathematics or equivalent
Plus a minimum of five (5) years accounting experience
Government Accounting Level I from the Management Institute for National Development (MIND)

OR

AAT level 3 Accounting
Minimum two (2) years accounting experience

     

3. DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (GMG/SEG 2)

Under the direction of the Senior Director, Human Resource Management and Administration, the incumbent is responsible for the providing training opportunities to satisfy the training and developmental needs of the Authority’s employees in order to maximize their potentials and enable the Authority to achieve its goals and objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develops and implements a suitable training programme which supports the Authority’s Succession Planning Policy.
2. Designs and implements In-house training for all members of staff.
3. Undertakes specific aspects of training as well as recruits a cadre of competent presenters and other resource persons internally and externally to conduct training
4. Designs and implements a system of evaluation for training courses (including farmers training activities) and trainers to determine their effectiveness and efficiency.
5. Processes applications for scholarships, fellowships and study leave from staff members.
6. Designs and develops training and other Human Resource manuals in collaboration with the Senior Director, HRMA and Director of Information Technology.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

1. Teamwork and cooperation
2. Good interpersonal and customer relations skills
3. Strong planning and organizational skills
4. Excellent presentation skills
5. Good time management skills
6. Knowledge of adult education training methodology

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE   

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences
Training Certification/Teacher Diploma
Five (5) years’ experience in a training environment at a Senior Level

 

4.  WEB / DATABASE PROGRAMMER (MIS/IT 5)

Under the direction of the Manager, Information Communication & Technology, the incumbent is responsible to:

1. Provide support services in the analysis, specification, design and development of web sites and related applications.
2. Confer with clients to develop and implement web-based business processes as required.
3. Organize and update information and links in web pages so that the content is kept current and new standards, technologies and trends are assessed for adaptation where applicable
4. Provide programming services to satisfy the requirements of special projects and office automation web application development/integration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop high-quality software design and architecture
2. Identify, prioritize and execute tasks in the software development life cycle
3. Develop tools and applications by producing clean, efficient code
4. Perform validation and verification testing
5.  Ensure software is up-to-date with latest technologies

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

1. In-depth knowledge of relational databases (e.g. PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g. MongoDB)
2. Familiarity with various operating systems (Linux, Mac OS, Windows)
3. Analytical mind with problem-solving aptitude
4. Knowledge of materials, methods, practices, regulations and equipment used in the development, analysis, maintenance and management of  web based automation systems
5. Knowledge of web page layout and design , file transfer  and image acquisition using scanners and imaging tools
6. Knowledge of software engineering best practices such as unit tests, test-driven development (TDD), code review, and continuous integration.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE    

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Math, Electronics or any Engineering equivalent
Two (2) years’ experience in Web development standard web languages
Two (2) year’s experience in Object-Oriented principles and Functional programming, Design Patterns, and Software Architecture.
Two (2) years’ experience in SQL and NoSQL databases

 

5. Vegetable Specialist (Agronomist)(SOG/ST 8)

The Vegetable Production Specialist (VPS) will be responsible for: developing, evaluating and validating all aspects of vegetable production that are suitable to the Jamaican crop production environment; participating in the formulation of nursery management protocols and systems to ensure the sustainable production of vegetable seedlings of good vigour and yield potential.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Carry out applied research on the crop varieties currently used in Jamaica to determine their suitability for producing maximum yields, disease tolerance and market acceptance under protected structures and open-field production.
2. Investigate the management skills, cultural practices and nutrient requirements most relevant for vegetable production under the various soil types and non- soil substrates in Jamaica.
3. Develop and validate nursery management protocols for the sustainable production of high quality seedlings with good hybrid vigour and yield potential.
4. Develop prototype production plans and schedules for growers within vegetable production areas.
5. Train Extension Officers and farmers in all aspects of tropical vegetable crop production under protected structures and open field systems.
6. Produce technical bulletins as well as technical instructional handbooks on tropical vegetable crop production.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

1. Sound knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of horticultural  crop production, plant physiology, post-harvest handling and storage of vegetables
2. Good understanding of  environmental practices, particularly concerning the use of crop protection chemicals
3. Ability to analyse pest and disease problems
4. Familiarity with the principals  of horticultural marketing and a good understanding of local marketing systems
5. Competence in data collection, including means of estimating areas, yields , potential harvest dates, etc
6. Sound technical experience in vegetable production in tropical climates under protected and open field conditions

 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE    

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or a related topic.
2. A Post Graduate qualification in Agriculture or a related subject would be an asset.
3. Approximately ten (10) years’ experience in vegetable production is desirable with at least three (3) years’ experience with various forms of protected cultivation under tropical conditions.

 

 

6. Food Technologist (SOG/ST 6)

The Food Technologist, under the direction of the Senior Director- Social Services/Home Economics required to apply scientific and engineering principles in research and development, production technology, processing, quality control and packaging in converting primary agricultural produce into value added products.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Identify lab equipment and other inputs for the setting up of a Laboratory for the development and testing of specific processing methods, shelf life and micro-biological analysis
2. Design processes and machinery for making products, with the consistent flavour, colour and texture  in commercial quantities
3. Working with existing enterprises  in developing a set of procedures  for selecting raw materials, production processes, quality control, packaging, maintenance of equipment, pest control, cleaning and sanitation, personal hygiene, waste management use of chemicals, packaging  record keeping, marketing and consumer feedback
4. Preparing costings for all products based on raw material and manufacturing costs  to ensure profitable products
5. Training social services /home economics officers in basic principles of food processing, micro-biology , quality control , good manufacturing practices and other food safety and quality systems e.g. HACCP and ISO

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

1. Sound practical knowledge of how to operate and maintain laboratory equipment. Also must be familiar with the principles, concepts, and practices of food processing techniques, storage, packaging methods and post-harvest handling
2. Must be dexterous and tidy in the handling of delicate equipment and reagents.
3. Should have a good understanding of  the dangers associated with the handling of various chemicals and reagents.
4. Competence in data collection, analysis of research findings and report writing
5. Sound personal and professional integrity
    

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE    

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or Food Technology
Post Graduate qualification in Food Science
Minimum of  5 years’ experience of scientific research /laboratory work

 

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Please submit your Applications and Resumes by Friday May 13, 2022 to:

Acting Senior Director – Human Resource Management & Administration

Rural Agricultural Development Authority

Hope Gardens

KINGSTON 6

Or email:  jobs@rada.gov.jm

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