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Submitted by RADAAdmin on July 21, 2025

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

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: 

  • Under the supervision of designated Officer, the secretary is responsible for providing secretarial and stenographic services in accordance with standardized procedures.

KEY OUTPUTS:

  • Letters, memoranda,  reports produced
  • Appointments/meetings scheduled and diary maintained
  • Incoming mails recorded and distributed
  • Records maintained
  • Documents faxed/photocopied
  • Telephone calls answered and messages recorded
  • Visitors received and directed
  • Stationery supplies maintained

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS:

  • Records letters, memoranda, and reports in shorthand; uses a personal computer to reproduce same in a suitable typewritten form.
  • Types 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.

AUTHORITY 

  • Determines which callers/visitors to transfer to supervisor or to other officers

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

  • Letters, memoranda, and reports produced accurately and within agreed time frame
  • Appointments scheduled and diary maintained in consultation with Supervisor
  • Incoming mails recorded accurately and distributed promptly
  • Records maintained in accordance with established guidelines
  • Confidentiality and integrity exercised at all times
  • Documents photocopied and faxed within agreed time frame
  • Telephone answered promptly and politely
  • Visitors received courteously
  • Adequate supply of stationery at all times

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS

Internal

ContactPurpose
All DivisionsProvide seek information
Follow-up on requests from supervisor
Collaboration in carrying out responsibilities

External

ContactPurpose
Members of the public who call or visit the officeAnswer queries or provide information
Schedules appointments for supervisor
Government DepartmentsProvide/seek information

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

Typical office environment

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.

Expiry Date