Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism
Port of Spain
Job Description
The incumbent is required to play a key role in the implementation of the Ministrys/Departments communications strategy and programmes. Duties include assisting in the development, implementation and evaluation of these strategies and programmes; taking the lead on citizen engagement, media campaigns, public relations, and other communications activities to generate consistent awareness and engagement results with clear targets and priorities and supervising lower-level staff engaged in related work. Depending on work assignment, the incumbent will be required to perform duties in one or more of the Communications functional areas.
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<b><u>Strategy and Measurement </u></b><ol><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Takes the lead in strategy and programme development for diverse and highly complex communications campaigns, both internal and external, of special significance to the Ministrys/Departments work, anticipating critical communications/public relations issues; contributes to the formulation of public positions on critical issues related to the work of Ministry/Department.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Develops the Ministry's/Departments communication policy and strategy in collaboration with the Ministrys/Departments executive team and other relevant senior management members and executes same.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Coordinates the budgeting, planning, direction, coordination, implementation and evaluation of major events and programmes in the Ministry/Department and ensures successful execution.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Liaises and interacts with personnel of the Ministry/Department to ensure that communications policy</span></li><li>considerations are adequately integrated into the Ministry's/Departments operations. </li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Identifies stakeholders needs and reviews relevant engagement strategies as submitted by staff supervised.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Directs the research, information gathering, editing, and writing of communications briefs, proposals, and other documents.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Collaborates with others to develop internal and external communications goals for the purpose of identifying audiences for stakeholder engagement efforts and ensuring Ministry/Department-wide objectives are achieved in the most efficient and timely manner.</span></li></ol><div><br></div><div><b><u>Product and Events </u></b></div><ol><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Promotes a positive image of the Ministry/Department (e.g., communications with district staff, the public and media, including press conferences, newsworthy events, story ideas, district benefits and programs, etc.) to create cooperative working relationships.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Prepares an annual and quarterly programme of public relations activities including but not limited to, lectures, talks, conferences, and exhibitions.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Promotes the development of information and activities such as health and wellness, safety awareness and other cultural and workplace-enhancing projects.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Negotiates for space contracts and books event spaces, arranges food and beverages, orders supplies and audiovisual equipment, makes travel arrangements, orders event signs, and ensures appropriate dcor (florals, linens, colour schemes, etc.) to meet the quality expectations of the Ministry/Department.</span></li><li>Supervises, directs, and coordinates the activities of personnel, subcontractors, and vendors, as required, to successfully execute all aspects of the event on the scheduled delivery day. </li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Provides post-event analysis, budget recaps and participant feedback and incorporates learning into future plans.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Researches trends (e.g. policies/procedures; economic/cultural issues; computer/software and facilities technologies; layout/design of publications, etc.) for the purpose of obtaining knowledge on current issues and advancement practices.</span></li></ol><div><br></div><div><b><u>Media and Advertising </u></b></div><ol><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Provides advice to relevant stakeholders on media-related issues, including but not limited to preparing talking points and media coaching.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Identifies media engagement opportunities and provides media coaching to staff that may interact with the press.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Leads a team that prepares briefs, media releases, advertisements, presentations and drafts or reviews speeches to be delivered by the Minister and other senior personnel of the Ministry/Department.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Leads and coordinates the production of all print and audio-visual communications materials, including, but not limited to newsletters, press releases, advertising, and speeches.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Oversees the preparation, production, and dissemination of both routine and complex outreach products such as brochures, briefs, press kits, news releases, op-eds/articles, radio/TV broadcasts, PowerPoint presentations, brochures, Q&amp;As, websites and speeches that promote the strategic and timely flow of information and key messages about the Ministry/Department, its policies, and operations to key internal and external audiences.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Analyses current events, public comments, and press opinions with a view to risk management; advises the Ministrys/Departments executive team and staff and clients on trends, news developments, or changing/unexpected circumstances and recommends appropriate strategic responses.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Participates in, plans, coordinates, and organises public consultations, conferences, media monitoring, media tours and events, public opinion research activities, public image enhancement programmes, seminars, workshops, and similar special events.</span></li></ol><div><br></div><div><b><u>Stakeholder Engagement </u></b></div><ol><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Supervises and provides advice and guidance to staff engaged in the performance of protocol duties for the Ministry/Department in accordance with established standards to ensure appropriate etiquette is used in interactions with individuals such as dignitaries and officials.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Liaises and interacts with personnel of the Ministry/Department to ensure that communications policy considerations are adequately integrated into its operations.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Responds to inquiries from internal and external parties for the purpose of providing information and/or direction.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key internal and/or external constituencies including the media, civil society, academia, businesses, and governments.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Directs the updating of a database/directory of stakeholders contact information, profiles, and services.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Communicates with stakeholders for the purpose of informing and/or presenting information through various mediums such as manual and electronic presentations, printed publications, e-mails, web pages, video, blogs, and TV spots in compliance with the Ministrys/Departments vision, goals, and objectives.</span></li></ol><div><br></div><div>Performs other related duties as required.</div>
Key Competencies
<ul><li>Strong proficiency in strategic planning, project design and management </li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, of advanced web design and communications technologies such as web applications, advanced web design, design/illustration software and/or databases.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Skill in the use of personal computers.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Skill in conducting research and in conceptual and analytical thinking.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Skill in writing and editing, including a strong command of English.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to use e-Government technology platforms.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to use the internet for research purposes.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to convey complex ideas in an engaging manner with clarity, diplomacy, and precision.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to identify communications-related risks and opportunities and to provide timely feedback and advice to management.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to think strategically and to analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to plan and organize, including managing the organization of high- level meetings and events.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to plan and organize programmes/projects, high-level meetings, and events, and supervise vendors and lower-level staff.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to work effectively under stress, prioritize, multi-task within tight deadlines and respond to changing demands.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to work independently or in a team.</span></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal/external partners.</span></li></ul>