VACANCY NOTICE – Deputy Director (Community Development and Social Services Department)

The Human Resource Management Department on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs wishes to invite suitably qualified persons to fill the position of Deputy Director at the Community Development and Social Services Department.

The successful candidate will be responsible for serving as a member of the management team of the Department of Community Development and Social Services. He or she will serve as the second in command and have direct supervision of the social assistance officers, case managers that are assigned to the Social Services Unit, and community development department. The chosen candidate will serve on special committees established to address the needs of vulnerable populations and work cohesively with the director towards the attainment of the annual performance indicators and programmed action plans.

Duties and Responsibilities:

a. General responsibilities:

Attends Departmental; Management Team meetings as convened by the Director.

Attends Management Team meetings as convened by the Permanent Secretary.

Works collaboratively towards annual Disaster Preparedness planning, execution, and assessment efforts.

b. Management of Staff:

Promotes adherence of all staff members to the rules and regulations the govern the Civil Service.

Works alongside the Director towards the development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual work plan inclusive of targets, activities and performance indicators.

Provides input on the annual budget for the Department and contributes to the Strategic Plan that would form part of the Ministry’s annual submission.

Provides case management support to officers assigned to each zone/district on the island. This includes but is not limited to mediation, referrals, conflict resolution and the easing of bottle neck to client services and activities.

Participates in the assessment of staff competencies and skills to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual training agenda for the Department.

Participates in the performance evaluation of all staff members.

c. Policy, Strategy and Action Planning:

Supports the development of policies to be endorsed by the Minister, which provides a framework- mandate, rationales, and goals – for the work of the Department on social issues, using consultants and other resources as necessary.

Works in partnership with the Director in devising mechanisms for ensuring responsibilities and accountability for all programmes related to community development and social services implemented.

Assist with the development of Departmental action plans to be endorsed by the Minster, outlining concrete actions to be taken by the Department on an annual basis, to be included in the national budget.

d. Analysis, Knowledge Development, and Information Activities:

Assists with the preparation and /or revision of papers on the substantial work of the Department which would identify the linkages and synergies to support the achievement of policy mandates of the Ministry and the Public Sector as whole.

Assists with the production of user-friendly and operationally oriented summaries of key documents for broad dissemination in the Ministry as well as the wider public and Private sectors, in addition to civil society.

e. Advocacy, Collaboration and Capacity Building:

Supports the capacity building of internal and external clients and stakeholders.

Collaborates and networks with local, regional, and international agencies, donors, and Programmes with complementary mandates as appropriate for the promotion of social protection and inclusion for all populations.

Coordinates with other Ministries, relevant national institutions, and NGOs, through participating in and leading, as appropriate, relevant country-level mechanisms for coordination on social protection and inclusion issues.

f. Representation and Resource Base Development

Serves as an alternate representative for Federation and the Ministry on social protection and inclusion issues when required.

Attends meeting/seminars/workshops and any competence development activities organized by the various national, regional and/or international agencies.

Establishes and maintains a working relationship with public, private, and civil society entities that address social protection and inclusion matters, where they exist.

g. Monitoring and Evaluation

Provides support for the development of indicators for assessing process with community development and social services.

Provides support towards the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the Director.

Provides support towards the monitoring of the achievement of the goals set out in the various conventions, agreements entered by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis

Provides support towards the preparation of special reports as needed, on particular social issues and best practices.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

A master’s degree in social work, Human Services, Business Administration, or any other relevant field is required.

Minimum of two years’ experience in management/supervision and policy development and advocacy around social protection and inclusion matters.

Experience in the field of social protection and inclusion.

Proven experience in establishing collaborative partnerships with local organizations, government, and communities.

Knowledge & Skills:

In-depth knowledge of the work, together with a thorough understanding of the concepts and practices related to social protection and inclusion with particular focus on vulnerable populations such as the indigent, poor, children, the disabled, seniors, women and the mentally ill.

Program design, professional writing and proposal writing skills.

Knowledge of strategies to address social protection and inclusion matters.

Knowledge in impact measurement and M&E systems.

Salary: K 33-38/39-41 ($4,945 – $6,078 p/month) ($6,639 to $6,941 p/month)

Applications must be accompanied by: 

Letter of Application

Curriculum Vitae

 Police Record

Official academic certificates, transcripts, and other relevant documents (certified copies)

Two (2) references with telephone and e-mail addresses and should be addressed to:

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs

Victoria Road 

Basseterre, St. Kitts

The deadline for receipt of applications is 27th October, 2023.

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