JOB PURPOSE
Under the direction and management of the Senior Policy Analyst, the Policy Analyst is responsible for assisting with the development, review and analysis of Health & Wellness policies, legislative instruments, standards, procedures and guidelines relating to the Jamaican Health & Wellness system and for contributing to high-quality policy advice on contentious and emerging issues.
KEY OUTPUTS
- Health & Wellness policy issues/problems researched, analysed and reviewed;
- Evidence-based Health & Wellness policy options identified and analysed;
- Health & Wellness stakeholders engaged;
- Cabinet Submissions, correspondence, written reports, publications, and briefs prepared;
- Ministry Papers;
- Policy advice and technical information provided;
- Annual/Quarterly/Monthly/Periodic Reports prepared;
- Individual Work plan developed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
Management/Administrative Responsibilities
- Contributes to the development of the Branch’s Strategic and Operational Plan and Budget;
- Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the Branch’s Plan;
- Prepares reports and project documents as required;
- Prepares and delivers Public Policy presentations related to Health & Wellness Management as needed;
- Maintains customer service principles, standards and measurements.
Technical/Professional Responsibilities
- Researches, analyses and develops sound policy submissions and advice to enable informed decision making on a range of Health & Wellness matters in the GOJ;
- Proactively identifies and analyses policy options and emerging issues related to a range of Health & Wellness management in the GOJ;
- Provides a range of project management and support services, including preparation of discussion papers, briefs and project plans to contribute to the development and delivery of policy initiatives;
- Builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating their engagement in, and contribution to, the identification and development of policy solutions and to inform policy decision making;
- Communicates with key stakeholders and coordinates working groups, committee meetings, and stakeholder consultations to support engagement as well as policy development and implementation;
- Provides expert policy advice and information to relevant stakeholders to facilitate the appropriate interpretation and implementation of a range of health policies to support MDAs;
- Monitors, evaluates and reports on the development and/or implementation of health policies to identify issues and ensure the achievement of desired outcomes;
- Works with relevant MDAs, academia, industry and community actors to research and understand potential issues in the health management in a GOJ context, and assesses and supports work by those actors to address these issues;
- Researches and benchmarks GOJ’s health systems, standards and procedures against other regional and international jurisdictions;
- Prepares policy responses for Cabinet or MDAs requesting Health & Wellness Policy information;
- Prepares Cabinet Submission, notes, correspondence, written reports, publications, and briefs, that are informative and aligned with GOJ requirements, to respond to MDAs and/or GOJ requests;
- Prepares Ministry Papers and other reports;
- Keeps informed of developments in the public policy, health & wellness policy/management issues to help the Ministry operate with initiative and innovation.
Human Resources Responsibilities
- Participates in preparation and implementation of presentations on role of the Branch for the Orientation/Onboarding programme;
- Contributes and maintains in a harmonious working environment.
Other Responsibilities
- Performs all other duties and functions as may be required from time to time.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Health & Wellness policy issues/problems researched, analysed and reviewed in keeping with evidence-based approaches, standards and timeframes;
- Evidence-based Health & Wellness policy options identified and analysed developed according to agreed standards and timeframes;
- Health & Wellness stakeholders engaged in a harmonious manner, agreed standards and timeframes;
- Cabinet Submissions, correspondence, written reports, publications, and briefs prepared in keeping with agreed standards, formats and timeframes;
- Ministry Papers prepared and submitted in keeping with agreed standards, formats and timeframes;
- Policy advice and technical information provided are evidence-based and provided according to agreed standards and timeframes;
- Work plans conform to established procedures and implemented accorded to establish rules;
- Reports are evidence-based and submitted in a timely manner;
- Confidentiality, integrity and professionalism displayed in the delivery of duties and interaction with staff.
AUTHORITY
- Develops and presents Health & Wellness policy proposals;
- Engages a range of related stakeholders.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS
Internal Contacts
| CONTACT (TITLE) | PURPOSE OF COMMUNICATIONS |
| Director, Research & Policy Development
|
Provide advice and contribute to decision making;
Identify emerging issues/risks and their implications, and propose solutions; Receive guidance and provide regular updates on key projects issues and priorities. |
| Executive Management/Divisions | Provide expert advice on Health & Wellness policy and proposals;
Report and provide updates on policy proposals and projects; Consult and collaborate to define mutual interests and determine strategies to achieve their realisation. |
| General Staff | To exchange information on Health & Wellness Policy matters. |
External Contacts
| CONTACT (TITLE) | PURPOSE OF COMMUNICATIONS |
| Ministries/Departments/Agencies | Establish professional networks and relationships to maintain currency of issues, share ideas and learnings, and collaborate on common responses to emerging and/or developing public policy issues;
Conduct training on new policies, programmes, standards, procedures, etc.; as well as refresher training. |
|
Cabinet Office |
Monitor and facilitate the progress of policies through decision making processes. |
| Policy Technical Committees, Technical Working Committees, inter alia. | Foster effective proactive relationships with other stakeholders, in particular community and/or industry groups for whom policy impacts are most critical. |
| Education System stakeholders | Foster effective proactive relationships with other stakeholders, in particular community and/or industry groups for whom policy impacts are most critical. |
| Other Stakeholders, example: Professional Bodies, Academia, etc. | Foster effective proactive relationships with other stakeholders, in particular community and/or industry groups for whom policy impacts are most critical. |
| General Public | Receive and share information on Health & Wellness policy initiatives through consultation. |
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Core
- Excellent interpersonal and team management skills;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Strong leadership skills;
- Strong customer relations skills;
- Excellent planning and organizing skills;
- Excellent judgment and decision-making skills;
- Ability to influence and motivate others;
- Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications.
Technical
- Good knowledge of the development, analysis, revision and implementation of policies, procedures, guidelines, programmes and legislation;
- Good knowledge of policy evaluation frameworks;
- Good research skills;
- Good knowledge of the Health & Wellness environment, principles and practices;
- Good ability to synthesize multiple ideas and complex information into a coherent summary, as in reports and briefing notes, and to make cogent recommendation for the modification or creation of legislation, policies and programmes;
- Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver presentation with tact, clarity, enthusiasm and accuracy to widely varied audiences;
- A high level of initiative and self-motivation;
- Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills;
- Aptitude for developing and maintaining collaborative relations with team members both within and outside the Ministry, and for functioning effectively on inter-ministerial and multi-sectoral committees and working groups;
- Familiarity with procedures, policies and legislation governing the machinery of government;
- Knowledge of the Government processes, including policy development, financial planning, performance management systems and basic theories, principles and methods of analysis;
- Knowledge of computerized systems and software, with an emphasis on the MS Office suite and projects.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Development Studies, Management Studies, Public Sector Management, Public/Business Administration, Education Management or a related discipline;
- Three (3) years’ experience in a Public Policy or Public Sector Management 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 overseas to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.
Applications with résumés are to be submitted no later than Sunday, July 9, 2023, to:
Senior Director
Human Resource Management & Development
Ministry of Health & Wellness
10a Chelsea Avenue
Kingston 10
Email: jobs@moh.gov.jm
The Ministry of Health & Wellness thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those shortlisted will be contacted.