Roadtown, Tortola - The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is currently hosting its annual departmental planning days with professional trainer, Ms. Dorian Lennon, to lay a framework to ensure organisational objectives are met in 2010.

Ms. Lennon, a Jamaican national, with over 30 years experience in the areas of training and group facilitation, social work, project management, human resource management and health care has been contracted by the ministry to conduct the sessions.

“Each departmental planning day is designed to promote team-building, team work, ownership of the organisational plan, innovation and leadership,” said Mr. Jeremy Hodge, Human Resources Manager at the Ministry of Finance.

He added, “While most of us have an understanding of the benefits of planning, it is essential for us to ensure that our staff members know what is expected of them and the role they play in achieving our departmental and wider objectives. It is also important that they clearly understand the direction of the ministry and the department.”

Yesterday, staff of the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) met at the Public Service Training Centre’s conference room, where they were challenged to present to their Head of Department, clear plans to show how they will contribute to the achievement of departmental objectives given their individual roles.

“The aim of this exercise is to foster a sense of ownership of the plan and a means for staff members to develop their own targets in line with the departmental objectives,” said Mr. Hodge.

During her presentation, Ms. Lennon, who has worked with local and multinational organisations in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, stressed the importance of planning and monitoring. She also told the participants, “The fuel that you need for your journey is team-building and leadership.

Director of DoIT, Mrs. Anna-Belle Skelton-Malone said she was glad her staff had the opportunity. “Today showed me even more that the staff is committed and dedicated to getting the department’s projects done. DoIT is professional, efficient and effective,” said Mrs. Skelton-Malone.  

Each department of the Ministry of Finance will have its own strategic planning day, with the final such session scheduled for February 11 with staff of the ministry itself.

The Department of Information Technology, the BVI Post Office, Her Majesty’s Customs, Treasury Department, Inland Revenue Department are included in the portfolio of the Ministry of Finance, along with the administration, accounts, budget, project support services, procurement, and human resources units which are based within the ministry itself. 

The departmental planning days are in line with the vision of the Ministry of Finance, which is to be a highly professional and competent, results-oriented organisation; that is committed to providing effective financial management of the Territory's resources through timely, thorough and accurate financial and economic analysis.