1. Strategic Objective of the Division (in which the position is located):     

1.   Provide farmers with a comprehensive and efficient extension service that fully utilises ICT technology to support, modernise and increase agricultural production, productivity and farmer income; 

2.   Promote the diversification of agriculture, and improved post harvest handling, agro-processing and livestock production to increase the value of agriculture to the national economy, thereby also improving the standard of living of farm families;

3.   Supply farmers, processors and marketers with real time market intelligence, to enhance incomes by reducing surpluses or shortages; 

4.   Maintain an up to date farmer registration database, giving full details of type of cropping patterns, type of livestock production, location and size of holdings;

5.   Promoting land husbandry practices which preserve the natural resource base and discourage farming practices which lead to environmental degradation, particularly in critical watersheds;

6.   Ensure that plant and animal, health and safety standards are maintained by educating farmers, thereby ensuring national and international confidence in Jamaican agricultural products;

7.   Encourage farming communities through group activities to improve family health and nutrition, reinforce social cohesion and supplement household income through the development and marketing of new agro processed products;

8.   Implement national policy initiatives for food security, rural and national economic development; whilst fostering linkages with international donors, NGO’s and CBO’s and other relevant agencies; 

     9.     Implement appropriate disaster mitigation measures, ensuring a high level of preparedness within farming communities, effectively carrying out damage surveys and developing appropriate strategies to restore productivity once the event has taken place;

    10.  Attract more young people into agriculture by establishing and strengthening linkages with school garden programmes and the 4 H movement;

    11.    Develop a human resource capability aligned with the overall mission of the Authority which will ensure officers have a clear career development path and are regularly trained and updated in the latest technologies; 

    12.    Maintain a high level of corporate governance accountability and transparency by ensuring that all financial management, accounting, procurement, monitoring and evaluation systems satisfy the legal and managerial requirements of a Statutory body which is moving towards an effective, performance based, executive agency.

Job Purpose:

To contribute to the effective performance of the finance, accounts and procurement functions of RADA in accordance with its programmes and priorities within the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act, RADA Act, 1990, Public Bodies’ Management and Accountability Act, 2001, Government of Jamaica Procurement Guidelines, International Accounting Standards (IAS) and other relevant Regulations, Legislations and Policies.

Under the direction of the Parish Agricultural Manager the Parish Chief Accountant is responsible for RADA’s financial operations and accounting staff within the assigned parish and in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations of the Government of Jamaica.

Key Outputs:

• Completed Financial Accounts, Reports and Statements
• Certified payment vouchers for goods and services with recommendation for payment
• Annual Parish Budgets
• A Master Inventory System (Asset Register)
• An efficient database system of the financial operations of the parish

Key Responsibility Areas: 

Management/ Administrative Responsibilities 

• Gives guidelines to staff in the performance of their duties
• Attends the local Procurement and Contracts committee meetings and follows through as required
• Provides guidance to the general staff in preparation and submission of documents.
• Assists with training of Parish Accounting Staff in the use of any new accounting software
• Ensures that an efficient accounting system is maintained in the parish   
• Responsible for the supervision of the Accounting Unit and the Ancillary Staff in the parish
• Monitors the values received through the Value Book and ensures that their disposal is in the approved manner
• Liaises with the Data Processing Manager in Head Office
• Monitors the expenditure of funds provided for the operation of activities in the parish
• Interprets circulars and directives received from Head Office.
• Responsible for procurement and other office management functions

Technical/ Professional Responsibilities

Strategic/ Administrative Support

• Collects all data and reports from the Parish Office and records electronically

• Retrieves data on request and updates parish database system

• Checks supporting documents and certifies vouchers for final payments

• Ensures that all required financial documents are prepared correctly and delivered on time

• Coordinates and collates the annual Parish Budget for submission to Zonal Office and Head Office.
• Prepares regular cash flow reports and other financial statements as required by Zonal Office and Head Office.

• Ensures the maintenance of an expenditure record and a commitment ledger

• Authorizes requisitions to the Zonal Office for supplies of materials and equipment.

• Ensures the proper and adequate storage of vouchers and accounting records

• Edits the entry of all accounting data into the MS Great Plains or any other computerized Accounting Software

• Ensures the maintenance of an Inventory System of all furniture and equipment

Performance Standards:

• Reports, statements and schedules are prepared and delivered on time.
• High levels of accuracy in the completion of Financial Accounts, reports and statements.
• High levels of accuracy and promptness of data input into the MS Great Plains Accounting Software
• Reduced numbers of valid audit queries regarding financial statements and general compliance with Government regulations and procurement procedures

Internal and External Contacts  (specify purpose  of significant contacts ):

 Within the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)

Contacts external to the Organisation required for the achievement of the positions objectives.

Required Competencies (Core and technical to be specified):

The post-holder will be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent leadership and teambuilding skills
• Excellent analytical and judgment skills
• Excellent planning and organizing skills
• Excellent communicator
• Problem solving skills
• Skills in operating computerized accounting systems
• Good team skills
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
• Ability to cope well under pressured working conditions and to meet deadlines

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Associate Degree in Accounting from Management Institute for National Development (MIND) or any other recognized institution.

OR

Associate of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 3

OR

• Management Institute for National Development (MIND) Government Accounting Level 2, with adequate knowledge of computer operations and understanding how to use Microsoft Office, in particular, Microsoft Excel.

PLUS

• At least three (3) years work experience at a similar level

Specify licensing or certification necessary for the job