Executive Director - National Identification and Registration Authority (Jamaica)

Executive Director - National Identification and Registration Authority (Government of Jamaica)

Our Client, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), a new agency reporting to the Office of the Prime Minister, is conducting an extensive search for an Executive Director.  

The NIRA has the pioneering mandate to drive Jamaica's national identity management into the future.  The inaugural Executive Director role is a rewarding opportunity for an accomplished and visionary leader inspired by national development to deliver this transformation under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). 

About NIRA:

The NIRA is responsible for overseeing Jamaica’s civil registration and national identification systems, ensuring secure and accurate identification services to support national development. The Authority (akin to a Board of Directors comprising 9 members), with its statutory powers, executes its mandate within the provisions of the National Identification and Registration Act, the Registration (Births and Deaths) Act and all other applicable laws and policies of the Government of Jamaica. The independence of the Authority is aptly described in the quote by Prime Minister Holness at the launch in May 2024:  “This office is there to carry out a function of the State that continues regardless of who is the government or what the political policies are. This is about the establishment, the protection and the utility of citizens’ identity, citizens’ records, and the civil registry within which these are entailed and protected.” 

About the Role

The Executive Director is responsible and accountable for the day-to-day and strategic management, oversight and control of all operational and administrative functions of the Authority.  The role holder ensures that the organisation produces the desired results in keeping with the provisions of the National Identification and Registration Act, the Registration (Births and Deaths) Act and all other applicable laws and policies of the Government of Jamaica.

The Executive Director is responsible for operationalising NIRA, executing seamless organisational integration, and ensuring that the vision, mission, and strategic and operational deliverables meet the highest performance standards.  These include:

• Leadership and Management: Provide overall direction, supervision, and management of NIRA's activities and talent strategy to create a high-performing and sustainable organisation.
• Policy Implementation: Develop and implement policies, strategies, and operational procedures to operationalise NIRA and embed the required controls and accountability.
• Service Delivery: Ensure efficient and effective delivery of civil registration and identification services with the desired customer-oriented service culture.
• Financial Management: Oversee budgeting and financial management practices with keen attention to revenue generation and funding initiatives.
• Compliance: Create a culture of compliance and ensure adherence to relevant laws, government regulations and guidelines (for administration, Accountability management and procurement) and  the National Identification and Registration Act and the Data Protection Act.
• Public Engagement: Develop and implement highly effective public awareness programs and manage the Authority’s public relations impeccably.
• Risk Management: Implement effective enterprise risk management programs.
• Technology and Innovation: Lead the adoption of secure identification technologies, collaborating with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies to optimize resources and assure brilliant execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Talent Development: Align, manage and develop a high-performing team, ensuring continuous capability development, team engagement and staff well-being.

About the Person:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• At least seven (7) years’ progressive experience, including five (5) years’ at the senior management level within a comparable organization/context (experience at the chief executive officer level will be prioritized).
• Commercial experience leading and growing revenue streams.
• A track record of implementing strategic projects including developing new business models, innovative revenue streams, organizational design and or new technology.
• Excellent leadership and strategic planning abilities.
• Strong financial management and analytical skills with a growth mindset.
• Passionate about technology, learning, productivity and innovation.
• Highly developed communication and stakeholder relationship skills including advanced corporate communications and change management.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict management capabilities.

How to Apply & Timeline

• Applications should include a letter of interest and curriculum vitae. 

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, regret to advise that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.