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.SECRETARY 2 (OPS/SS 2) – KINGSTON, WESTMORELAND & HANOVER

JOB PURPOSE: 

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; proof reads 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 is required.
• Answers the telephone and transfers calls to supervisor or redirect callers to appropriate officer/office; records and delivers messages as is necessary.
• Greets and screens visitors; provides them with routine information about the Authority or direct them to the relevant officers or office.
• Maintains stationery supplies.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Good secretarial skills
• Proficiency in shorthand at a speed of 60-80 w.p.m.
• Proficiency in typewriting at a speed of 40-45 w.p.m.
• Proficient in the use of relevant Software Applications

Core Competencies

• Knowledge of RADA’s  policies and procedures
• Good interpersonal skills and customer relations
• Good communication skills
• Good time management skills

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• CXC or GCE O’ Level English Language 
• Proficiency in type writing at a speed of 40-45 words per minute and shorthand at a speed of 60-80 words per minute;
• Successful completion of the prescribed  secretarial course  at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND)

OR

• Graduation from an accredited Secretarial School
• Proficiency in typewriting at a speed of 40-45 words per minute and shorthand at a speed of 60-80 words per minute, training in word processing applications and English Language at CXC or GCE O’ Level.

2. SENIOR SECRETARY (OPS/SS 3) - KINGSTON

JOB PURPOSE: 

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; proof reads 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.
• Answers the telephone and transfers calls to supervisor or redirect callers to appropriate officer/office; records and delivers messages as is necessary.
• Greets and screens visitors; provides them with routine information about the Authority or direct them to the relevant officers or office.
• Maintains stationery supplies.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Good secretarial skills
• Proficient in the use of relevant Software Applications
• Knowledge of RADA’s  policies and procedures
• Good interpersonal skills and customer relations
• Good communication skills
• Good time management skills

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

• Four subjects at CXC or GCE O’ Level Standard including 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 Secretarial Experience

OR

• Certificate in Administrative Management (CAM) Level 2 from MIND or Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) from reputable institution.
• 1 year experience at a Secretary’s level

3. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY (OPS/SS 4) - KINGSTON

JOB PURPOSE: 

• The Executive Secretary is responsible for providing secretarial and administrative support services to facilitate the effective and efficient operations of the Division.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

• Composes letters, memoranda and responses to routine correspondence from instructions received.
• Schedules appointments and maintains diary.
• Acts as liaison between the Senior Director and other members of staff; transmits instructions, follows up and keeps the Senior Director abreast of progress.
• Arranges meetings, records and reproduces minutes for circulation.
• Receives, opens, sorts and distributes incoming and outgoing mail
• Files correspondence and other material and maintains a record of the movement of files
• Maintains a system for the control and safe custody of confidential files, documents and reports. 
• Faxes/photocopies documents as is required.
• Answers the telephone and redirect callers or records messages.
• Receives, and screens visitors and ensures that they are directed to the relevant officers or office; deals with complaints and requests and provides routine information regarding the operations of the RADA; resolves issues and problems as is necessary.
• Accesses and sends e-mail via internet.
• Participates in the planning and executing of seminars, workshops, conferences etc.
• Retrieves and compiles information for the preparation of technical reports.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Professional/Technical

• Excellent secretarial skills
• Sound knowledge of web-based research techniques
• Proficiency in shorthand at a speed of 120 w.p.m.
• Proficiency in typewriting at a speed of 60-65 w.p.m.
• Proficient in the use of relevant software applications
• Good problem solving and conflict management skills
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Good judgement

Core

• Knowledge of RADA’s laws, regulations policies and procedures
• Good interpersonal skills and customer relations
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good time management skills

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 2 or more CXC/GCE O’ Levels (or equivalent) including English Language
• Successful completion of the prescribed course of study for Executive Secretaries at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) with proficiency in typewriting at a speed of 60-65 words per minute and shorthand at a speed of 120 or more words per minute plus

OR

• Successful completion of the Certified Professional Secretary Examination and course of study for Executive Secretaries at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) with proficiency in Typewriting at a speed of 60-65 words per minute and shorthand at a speed of 120 or more words per minute

PLUS

• 5 years general office experience.

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Please submit your Applications and Resumes by Monday October 24, 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.