Programmes

The Corporate Services Programme consists of the Corporate Services and Finance and Accounting Divisions. It plays a crucial role in the smooth operations of the Ministry, through the effective management of the financial, human and other support services. It also manages the Strategic Planning and Performance Review processes.

The Economic Management Programme is comprised of the Economic Management Division. The programme is concerned mainly with the formulation and implementation of macro-economic policies aimed at promoting sustainable economic development. The programme is also responsible for managing fiscal policy, achieving a sustainable debt profile, sourcing financing and monitoring Jamaica’s membership in regional and international organizations including the World Trade Organization (WTO), Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) and the International Financial Institutions (IFIs). In addition, the programme provides economic advice and accurate and timely technical data to the Government and people of Jamaica.

The Executive Office, (which includes the Ministers’ and Financial Secretary’s secretariats) provides oversight to ensure the effective and efficient operations of the Ministry and its Departments. The Deputy Financial Secretaries, as well as the Heads of the Legal and Internal Audit Units, directly reports to the Financial Secretary.

The Internal Audit Unit provides independent appraisals of the financial management and operational systems of the Head Office of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service in order to improve the internal controls. It furnishes management with analyses, appraisals and recommendations on the Ministry’s operations. The Unit also conducts external audits of His Excellency, the Governor General and Staff, Houses of Parliament, Auditor General, Office of the Services Commission, Financial Services Commission and the Self Start Fund.

The Legal Unit provides legal advice and opinions to the Ministry and the Accountant General’s Department. It also works along with the Chief Parliamentary Council (CPC) and other entities to ensure that the advice/opinions enhance synchronicity in the operation of policies across the MDA’s.

The Financial Management Programme ensures that the financial resources of the government are allocated and prudently managed to reflect the government’s priorities. The programme is comprised of the Public Expenditure (PEX), Public Expenditure Policy Coordination (PXPC), Public Enterprises Divisions (PED) and the Accountant General’s Department (AGD). The overall functions of the programme include preparation of the annual budget, expenditure and cash management, treasury management, monitoring compliance with the Financial Administration Audit (FAA) Act, analysis of internal audit reports/financial statement and capital project monitoring.

The Financial Sector Regulation Programme is comprised of the Financial Regulations Division (FRD) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID). However, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), and the Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation (JDIC) contribute to this function. The primary objective is to ensure that a proper regulatory framework exists to monitor the Financial Sector and protect investors’ interests. The FID ensures that the incidences of financial crimes are minimized.

The Public Service Establishment Programme is concerned with the development of the policies and standards which guide the conduct of business in the Public Service, the establishment of the staff complement and conditions of service in public sector entities, and the fostering of harmonious industrial relations in the public sector. Due to the change in administration, some of the functions formerly undertaken by the Cabinet Office, have now been subsumed under thePublic Service Establishment Programme. As such, the programme is now comprised of seven (7) units namely: Special Benefits; Compensation; Research and Establishment Control; Industrial Relations; Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Secretariat; Superannuation and Scholarship and Bonding.

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