Experience

Turks and Caicos Islands Government

• Government Administration
• 200 - 300 Employee

• PS Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries, Marine Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Agriculture

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  Working with the Minster to;a) Transform the Current Tourist Board into a Destination Marketing and Management Organization which will reform and spearhead the marketing and management of the Tourism Industry in the TCI, improve/develop local products for the enjoyment of our guests, implement strategies that will facilitate all Turks and Caicos Islanders to actively participate and reap the economic benefits of the booming tourism economy. b) Strengthen the Agriculture Sector towards food security for our countryc) Develop and implement strategies to facilitate sustainable livelihood for our fishers and fisherfolkd) Work with the UK and other key Government Departments to finalize the negotiations of the TCI Maritime Boundariese) Ensure effective management of TCI Maritime affairs including but not limited to the effective implementation of the Tripple i Code for merchant shipping. f) Continue to promote the Culture of the TCI Show less

• Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Labour, Employment & Customer Services

  • Feb 2021 - Jan 2023

  The Ministry of Education was restructured and combined with the Department of Labour with a view to spearheading the Government's plans to build the human capacity of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to meet the present and future labor needs of the Country. The key objectives of this assignment were;a) Restructure the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College to serve as the core for the nation's Human Capital development framework.b) Realign the role, and function of the Education System to become more relevant and practical to the future needs of the Country.c) Restructure the TCI Scholarship Policy to ensure that we are training individuals to meet the priority needs of the country so that they can return home upon completion of their studies and make a meaningful contribution to the economic development of the TCId) Reform the Public School Educational Curriculum (Primary and Secondary Schools) to ensure effective learning e) Develop an appropriate policy framework to build the Human Capacity of the People of the Turks and Caicos Islands, that will prioritize job placement of Turks and Caicos Islands and guide the awarding of work permits for foreign nationals to be employed within the Islands.f) Coordinate the development of a Labour Market Information System g) Develop the framework for the implementation of a National Internship and Apprenticeship Program that will build the capacity and experience of students to enable them to be job-ready upon completion of their studiesh) Coordinated the development and updating the TCI Minimum Wage Policy Show less

• Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture, Social and Library Services

  • Apr 2017 - Feb 2021

  Objectives: Improve the education system to ensure that every child of school learning age (4-16) have access to education and reforming the curriculum to ensure holistic and inclusive learning for all. Major Accomplishments to date;1) Revision and development of new Curriculum The following curriculum has been developed and are in the process of finalization o Early Childhood Physical Education Curriculumo Early Childhood Science Curriculum o Early Childhood Social Studies Curriculum o Early Childhood Visual Arts Curriculumo CCSLC Curriculum2) Commenced the implementation of the Special Needs Policy3) Working with MoF and PWD to implement the EDF 11 Project - New Primary School for Provo Show less

• Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services & Office of the Premier

  • Apr 2015 - Mar 2017

  Objectives: Working with the Premier Ewing to coordinate the reform and strengthen the health service delivery at the primary level while working to ensure fiscal accountability of health care expenditure at the secondary level of care. Major Accomplishments: 1) Establish / Improved the Governance framework  Reformed and established a revised System of Governance, and Strategic Planning; Coordinated the development of the;o National Health Strategic Plano Primary Health Care Renewal Strategyo Non-Communicable Disease Plano Pharmaceutical Policyo Tobacco Policy and Legislative Framework (Tobacco Ordinance) Coordinated the establishment of the Health Regulatory Authority and Legislative Framework Reformed the Ministry of Health Manpower resources, to streamline and improve operational efficiency.2) Improved Access to Health Care Collaborated with Public Works and Other Departments within the Government to upgrade many of the existing health care facilities and where necessary establish new health care delivery facilities.  Improved operational efficiency in the delivery of health care services throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands3) Improved Fiscal Accountability of Health Care Expenditures Show less

• Permanent Secretary, Premier's Office, Ministry of Tourism

  • May 2013 - Apr 2015

  Objective: Working with the Premier Ewing and Other Ministries, Coordinate the implementation of the Government's Strategic Plan.Accounting Officer for the Ministry of Tourism / Tourist BoardMajor Accomplishments:  Coordinated the development of the National Tourism Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan 2015  Established the TCI UK Office to serve the interest of TCI in promoting Tourism, Investment and Political relations. Work with the Premier, Minister of Tourism and executives of the Tourist Board to actively promote tourism and investment in the Turks and Caicos, resulting in over 40% increase in tourism arrival and airlift in the TCI Commenced the reform of the National Trust Agency to ensure accountability and efficiency in their operations Reformed of the Culture Department, with a greater focus on promoting local culture as exemplified with the first launch of National Heritage Month in November 2013. Show less

• Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Government Support Services

  • Apr 2012 - May 2013

  Objectives: Overall responsible for the Ministry which include the following Departments;1) Public Works Department 2) Utilities Department3) Telecommunication Commission4) Printing Department5) Postal Services6) Department of Disaster Management7) Estate Management Department8) Communication Department9) Central Information Technology Unit10) Central Purchasing UnitMajor Accomplishments:  Reformed and updated the Grand Turk and Salt Cay Public Water production and distribution System. Reformed and Launched the Government’s Telecommunication System  Developed the Government Estate Strategy, and the reform of the Estate Unit to ensure Government receive value for money and key guidelines and polices developed to guide the management and acquisition of rental assets by the Government. Show less

• Director, Department of Environment & Coastal Resources

  • 2005 - 2012

  Oversee the overall management, planning and deployment of human and other resourcesthroughout the Department and represents the Department to the Permanent Secretary and atinter and intra-governmental meetings. Coordinated the preparation of drafting instructions for the development of appropriatelegislation to facilitate TCI ratification of Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Coordination and implementation of international legislationAccomplishments: In 2007, served as Chairman of the CARICOM – Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, thereby effectively representing the interest of the TCI in international negotiations of the Caribbean Common Fisheries Policy. Developed five new pieces of legislations which would enable TCI to ratify Multilateral Environmental Conventions which was extended to the islands by the UK Government.o Marine Pollution Ordinanceo Marine Pollution Effluent Regulationso Environmental Management Billo Endangered Species Billo Wildlife Protection Ordinance Developed annual Business Plans which provided a framework for resource mobilization and sustainable financing of environmental projects. Successfully secured donor funds totaling in excess of US $15 million dollars over the period of 6 years towards micro-projects which were implemented in the TCI;o Caicos Pine Management Projecto Invasive Species – Lionfish Projecto Development of a Sustainable Energy Policy Projecto EU project - Strengthening Fishery Products Health Conditions in ACP/OCT Countrieso EU Project - Turks & Caicos -support for drafting of fish hygiene legislationo European Aid Funded Project - Supply of equipment for inspection of fishery products, IT equipment and vehicles.o Caribbean Regional Fisheries Management technical support project for review Management of TCI Protected Areas Developed a Sustainable Energy Policy Document for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Show less

• Deputy Director / Chief Conservation Officer Department of Environment & Coastal Resources

  • 2003 - 2005

   Charged primarily with management and development of the Fisheries resources, in particular the coordination and implementation of surveillance systems and the scientific monitoring programme for the fisheries. Provided professional support to the Director, including the design and coordination of all enforcement activities, acting as liaison officer between other enforcement agencies (Customs, Immigration, Police), reviewing local legislation and the administrative supervision of all Conservation Officers. Collaborated with the management of the protected areas system as a continuance of the CRMP. This includes specifically preparing and updating management plans for the protected areas, extending management activities throughout the PAS, and collaborating with the Director and NPEAC in managing and monitoring the Conservation Fund. Provided professional support to the Director, in particular input into development proposals, development agreements and EISs. Responsible for revenue collection at the National Environment Centre, licensing, mineral extraction, and assists with the development of the interpretative programs for the Visitors’ Centre.Accomplishments: Developed a National Fisheries Policy for the Management and Development of the Fisheries Sector. The policy paved the way for widespread reforms in fisheries management, diversification and investment. This policy document is currently being used as a roadmap for the expansion of the fisheries sector into new markets and development of value added products. Developed a comprehensive national plan for the management and development of the Fisheries Management sector. The implementation of this plan has resulted in increased productivity in the lobster fishery by 30% and improved management of the queen conch fishery, with further expansion of the scale-fish fishery. Show less

• Scientific Officer, Department of Environment & Coastal Resources

  • 1998 - 2003

  Coordinated the collection and analysis of data to monitor fisheries resource use and basic environmental parameters. Collected and documented baseline information of the natural resources, including but not limited to coral reefs, seagrass beds, beaches, fish census data and other terrestrial data. Reviewed monitoring reports submitted to the DECR and conducted compliance monitoring, including critical review of Environmental Impact Assessment. Spearheaded programmes such as habitat mapping, GIS and monitor research programmes developed externally and carried out in the TCI. Conducted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Survey, monitoring and Management for the Turks and Caicos Islands Conducted Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) Survey, monitoring and Management for the Turks and Caicos Islands Conducted ecological habitat assessment and Management (Coral Reefs, Seagrass and Mangroves)Accomplishments: Established the Queen Conch Quota for the TCI thereby enabling continued export of the internationally endangered Queen Conch. Established monitoring protocol for the fisheries sector. Show less

• Scientific Officer, Technical Assistant, TCI Fisheries Department

  • 1992 - 1998

  Assist Scientific Officer with Scientific Monitoring of Coral Reef Ecosystem Assist Scientific Officer with Spiny Lobster and Queen Conch Monitoring Assist Scientific Officer with Coastal Zone Research and ManagementAccomplishments: Collated and inputted time series data (from 1901-1993) to facilitated queen conch stock assessment