TCI News

Invest Turks and Caicos – Vacancy

Published

6 years ago

April 6, 2018

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, April 7, 2018 – Providenciales – Invest Turks and Caicos is looking to fill the following vacancy.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Reporting to: Board of Directors

Location: Invest Turks and Caicos Offices – Providenciales

Job Summary:

The Chief Executive Officer is the chief executive of Invest Turks and Caicos and is responsible for the success of the organisation. Together with the Board, the incumbent is expected to lead the implementation of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government’s economic development vision, attract significant investments to the various inhabited islands, oversee services for Micro, Small and Medium (MSME) businesses and support expanded sustainable development throughout the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. These investments will be expected to build a successful, sustainable economy and provide improved opportunities for employment and growth. As well, the Chief Executive Officer will be actively engaged through the Agency in supporting trade and small business development.

The Board has delegated responsibility for day to day management operations to the Chief Executive Officer and s/he has the authority to carry out those responsibilities in accordance with the direction and policies established by the Board. The incumbent will ensure that the organisation has motivated staff who produce positive results using international best practices. The position involves overseeing a staff of up to fifteen persons who are predominately highly trained investment professionals. The incumbent is expected to be a systems thinker who is customer-focused and goal-driven.

The Chief Executive is expected to be a strong leader who can develop a cohesive team within the organisation and across TCI to drive new investment to the country.

Key Objectives:

To manage the day to day operations of Invest TCI through planning, organising, coordinating, directing and controlling the functions of the Agency. This includes developing and implementing a rolling five-year Strategic Plan, complete with annual marketing plans and budgets; monitoring financial and operational performance; and ensuring that the organisation has a full complement of operating policies and procedures for both internal operations and for dealing with prospective investors and daily
To facilitate the approval of qualified investment from existing applicants and “shovel ready” projects.
To ensure the development of an outstanding lead generation system, along with a strong due diligence programme, a market intelligence capacity, investor outreach and network maintenance and enhancement using international best
To ensure the effective, efficient and economic use of human, financial and physical
To engage constructively with various government Ministries, other relevant organisations and agencies and the private sector, both locally and internationally to support quality investment projects and to market the
To generate significant foreign direct investment to the country and to support and encourage domestic investors to participate in the economy.
To generate significant domestic investment through various small business programmes, including the MSME programme and financial assistance provided to the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED).
To lead investment promotion and trade missions to various locations and conduct awareness marketing to raise the profile of TCI as an investment destination.
To develop and install a client relationship management and tracking systems from initial contact to aftercare.
To develop and manage a programme of legislation review and reform for various developmental programmes that encourage Inward Investment and seek opportunities for expansion and extension of Investment potential though various
To carry out any other related activities as deemed necessary by the Board as essential to the organisation.

Personal Specifications:

Education and qualifications:

The preferred candidate should have a master’s degree in finance, business administration, economics or related field, from a recognised institution of higher learning and a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience or a combination of education and experience sufficient to meet the requirements of the position of CEO at Invest Turks and Caicos.

Experience and Knowledge:

Minimum of ten (10) or more years of senior management experience at a public or private enterprise/company/agency engaged in investment development and/or promotion/marketing. Clear evidence of strong leadership skills, demonstrated management skills, track record of successful lead generation and marketing along with a proven ability to mentor and grow staff.

Skills:

Track record of excellence in current and previous
Proven skills in investment promotion, strategic planning, project management and execution, especially as related to development projects.
Understanding of budgetary procedures and operational budget development/ implementation.
Strong track record of leadership, sales success and investment facilitation.
Strong track record of staff management and successful programme/project
Consistently displays integrity and model
Proven ability to motivate and develop teams/people.
Strong writing and presentational
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills- innovative, creative and forward thinking
Adept in use of MS Office, particularly Powerpoint, Excel and Word, and ideally Access or similar database to basic level, internet and

Other Requirements:

Fluent English
Understanding of the social, economic, cultural and historical issues facing the TCI.
Commitment to travel by air, land and sea.
Willingness to work outside normal office hours.

Salary and Allowances:

Salary is in the range of $100,000 to $120,000, negotiable based on qualifications and experience. A standard set of benefits and allowances are additional.

Deadline Date for Applications:

The deadline date for applications is April 27th, 2018 Turks and Caicos time.

Application Procedure:

Interested persons should submit a resume, along with their contact information, cover letter, two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport photo page.

Applications can be submitted by courier or delivered directly to Invest Turks and Caicos at Unit 2D, Courtyard Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, prior to the deadline. The application should be addressed to The Chairman – Invest Turks and Caicos and envelopes should have the words “Chief Executive Officer” clearly marked on the front.

Alternatively, applications can be emailed to chairman@investturksandcaicos.tc The subject line in the email should read “Chief Executive Officer”.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only persons selected for an interview will be contacted.

Health

Increased cases of Chicken Pox Prompts Ministry of Health and Human Services Response

Published

1 hour ago

April 27, 2024

Shanieka

PRESS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25 April 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public advisory regarding a recent increase in chicken pox cases, particularly within school communities in the regions of Grand Turk and Providenciales. The Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and is working closely with affected schools to provide support and education aimed at preventing further spread of the virus.

Chicken pox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious infection characterized by a distinctive rash of itchy red spots or blisters. Transmission occurs via droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with respiratory secretions, and almost always produces clinical disease in susceptible individuals. While mostly a mild disorder in childhood, varicella tends to be more severe in adults. It may be fatal, especially in neonates and in immunocompromised persons. The Ministry urges parents, teachers, and the general public to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of chicken pox, which may include:

Rash: The primary symptom of chicken pox is a rash that typically begins as small red spots, which then develop into fluid-filled blisters over several days.
Fever: Children with chicken pox may experience a mild to moderate fever, often preceding the appearance of the rash.
Fatigue: Some individuals may feel generally unwell, tired, or lethargic.
Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat may accompany other symptoms of chicken pox.

Management aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include:

drinking plenty of fluid (try popsicles if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration.
taking paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort.
cut your child’s fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching.
use cooling creams or gels e.g. Calamine lotion
speak to your health care provider about using antihistamine medicine to help itching.
bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)
dress in loose clothes.

do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections.
do not give aspirin to children under 16.
do not go near newborn babies, or anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.
do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring.

To mitigate the spread of chicken pox within schools and communities, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of practicing good hygiene habits, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.

In the event that a child exhibits symptoms of chicken pox, parents and caregivers are advised to keep them at home and seek medical attention promptly. A sick leave for a period of 14 days is usually given. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children. Additionally, it is crucial to inform school authorities to prevent further transmission among classmates and staff.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all citizens, and will continue to work diligently to address this current situation. For further information and guidance on chicken pox prevention and management, please visit Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

TCI News

Ammunition Charges

Published

14 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Shanieka

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Police Headquarters, Airport Road

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Tel: 649-941-4448|Email: media@tcipolice.tc

SERVICE WITH PRIDE AND INTEGRITY

April 25th, 2024.

On Tuesday, 23rd April 2024, officers from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force charged a 31-year-old male.

TYLER SCOTT WENRICH of Virginia, USA, is charged with POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION.

Mr Wenrich appeared before a Grand Turk Magistrate yesterday (April 24th) and was remanded into custody at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pending a June 07th Sufficiency Hearing.

Based on reports, Mr. Wenrich travelled to Grand Turk on a cruise ship.

While going through a security checkpoint, it was discovered Mr Wenrich allegedly had ammunition in his possession.

Officers of the Grand Turk Police Station were called, and Mr Wenrich was arrested and subsequently charged.

Crime

Bail Granted to American Tourist without hassle; facing 12 Years for four bullets in luggage

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Shanieka

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, April 25, 2024 – He was busted at the Howard Hamilton Providenciales International Airport on Friday, April 16, 2024.

He allegedly had in his luggage four (4) rounds of 6.5mm ammunition on his departure to his homeland in Oklahoma in the United States of America (USA).

Ryan Watson and his wife were arrested and placed into police lock up. Both were later granted police bail, and upon return to police station the Monday after the couple’s arrest, the husband alone was charged by detective Police Constable Kimberlee Markland for unlawful possession of the four rounds of ammunition.

Watson was escorted to court on Tuesday, April 23rd, placed before the learned Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin and remanded to His Majesty’s Prison until his sufficiency hearing on June 7, this (2024) year.

His counsel, Mr. Oliver Smith KC and his junior assistant Mrs. Kimone Tennant immediately sought bail for him in the Supreme Court which was heard the following day (Wednesday April 24) before her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban-Jackson and was granted bail, without hassle in the amount or $15,000.00 cash or surety.

The Crown, in the person of senior public prosecutor Ms. Tassja Mitchell did not oppose bail.

Magnetic Media can report that once again on the afternoon of the Tuesday April 24th, after the accused RYAN TYLER WATSON, 41 was remanded by the Magistrate’s court, the U.S. Embassy issued an warning to it’s citizens and travelers to carefully check their bags when traveling to Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) as TCI authorities are strictly enforcing firearm and ammunition laws and if found you could go to prison for 12 years.

A real question of great concern and public importance is: should the TCI courts sentence tourists to the full mandatory minimum of 12 years imprisonment for simple possession firearm and/or ammunition.

The succinct answer is: Yes!

The Court of Appeal, just last month said in its written judgment that “ALL PERSONS,” including tourist/visitors must go to prison if found guilty or pleas guilty to firearm and ammunition offences.

However, there remains the concern about how much time in prison a judge should give a visitor regardless of the existence of exceptional circumstances.

Should the judge imprison a visitor to the territory, who may have been wrongly informed, for example, the full mandatory minimum term or must a reduced prison term be imposed.

If TCI judges start to give less than the mandatory minimum to tourists/visitors, it is being strong and widely advocated by senior defense attorneys that the same must apply to local or residents of these Islands, who may also present exceptional circumstances.

Arguments about the equity in delivery of justice is what drove the question to the Court of Appeal late in 2023. The decision came this past February.

‘We cannot find ourselves sentencing tourists regardless of exceptional circumstances to lesser sentences, and when those same exceptional circumstances are found in local cases, it’s being ignored by our judges.’

Human Rights Attorney, Sheena Mair has on more than one occasion argued this point; including in firearm and ammunition bail applications. She would put the very same judges and prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution on the spot by reminding the judges and the prosecutors that precedent has been set.

‘You’ve just granted bail to a tourist for firearm and ammunition but now here’s a local person, same charge but because he’s a local he can’t get bail? He has to be remanded pending a trial that could take years before it’s heard?’

Mair has valiantly outlined the wrong in this and clearly stated this practice is “not fair” and it’s “not proper administration of justice in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Ms. Mair further complained that tourists would plea guilty to possession of firearm and ammunition and be released on bail pending sentencing but as for a local, he or she has to wait on remand at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pending sentencing.

The attorney criticizes the optics of such decisions and is on record reminding the Judge that the Court of Appeal has already set out that the law applies to everyone; visitors and locals alike.

A police statement issued Wednesday April 24 informs: “Today (April 24th), Mr. Watson appeared in the Supreme Court and, following a bail application, was granted $15,000 bail with the following conditions:

1) Not travel out of TCI without the court’s permission.

2) Surrender his passport and all other travel documents to the court

3) Report to Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8 am-4 pm,

4) Reside at the given address in Providenciales; any address change will be provided before the court.”

The American from Oklahoma whose story is trending in the US and has been carried by leading news networks was joined by a host of loved ones at the Courthouse.