Highlights

20 New Government Agencies to Embrace Technology as a tool to Engage Trade Stakeholders

Twenty government entities with responsibility for import and export are expected to be onboarded to the platform Jamaica Electronic Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT). JSWIFT is a one-stop-shop facility designed to provide fully automated services

COVID-19 Presents Opportunity for Public Sector to Become More Innovative

Director General, Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation, Office of the Cabinet, Veniece Pottinger Scott, says the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can be seen as an avenue for the public sector to retool and become more efficient

25 New MDAs ready for RIM Implementation

The Government’s Records and Information Management (RIM) programme is to be rolled out in 25 additional ministries, department and agencies (MDAs), which will comprise the third cohort under the engagement. This was announced by Minister

Quick Links

Agriculture Ministry Launches Online Customer Feedback System

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) has attained a new milestone under the Service Excellence Programme, which is being led by the PSTMD. On Wednesday May 26, 2021, the Ministry launched a Customer Feedback

Building a foundation for increased transparency and accountability in Jamaica

Jamaica’s drive to achieve developed country status over the next decade will be a major challenge, further complicated by the struggle to protect businesses and livelihoods in the aftermath of a global health threat. Despite

RIM Month Rewind

In April, the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Division (PSTMD) joined with the Jamaica Archives and Records Department (JARD) in celebrating RIM Practitioners Month under the theme ‘Managing Records and Information for Posterity: Transparent, Accountable

The Cabinet Secretary is the most senior policy adviser in the civil service. He is secretary to the cabinet, responsible to all ministers for the running of Cabinet and is also the head of the civil service.
As Secretary to the Cabinet he provides support and advice to the government and oversees the provision of policy and secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees. He organises the minutes of the Cabinet and conveys decisions of the Cabinet.

As Head of the Public Service, he is responsible for developing a highly professional public service able to effectively execute government business.

As Head of the Permanent Secretaries Board, he is responsible for guiding the execution of Ministry plans that align with government’s priorities.

Biography

Ambassador Douglas Saunders became Cabinet secretary in 2008.

Education

Ambassador Saunders graduated Jamaica College in 1967. He graduated the University of the West Indies in 1972 holding a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Management Studies. He is also the holder of certification in diplomacy from Oxford University and is a Pope Paul VI Scholar of St. John’s University in New York where he earned a Masters Degree in Government and Politics, majoring in International Relations in 1981.

Career

He begun public service career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade and served in different capacities over thirty years;

  • Counsellor (Economic Affairs) at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York;
  • Deputy Director of Foreign Trade; Deputy High Commissioner in London to Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain and Portugal; Director of European Affairs;
  • Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Cuba, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, the Republic of France, Ireland as well as High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa.

In 2002, he was appointed Permanent Secretary.