CHIEF PERSONNEL Officer in the Office of the Services Commissions, Charles Jones, has announced the appointment of Patricia Sinclair-McCalla as Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The appointment became effective on March 21.
The new Permanent Secretary, who joined the public sector 25 years ago, was formerly the chief executive officer of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and Government Town Planner. She also boasts a wealth of experience in policy development and the management of modernisation projects.
Some highlights of the achievements associated with her years of service include the development of a national policy on women and plan of action, and the modernisation of the public sector, with particular reference to the establishment of executive agencies.
She has also served as director of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), director of the Bureau of Women's Affairs, and project director of the Public Sector Modernisation Project in the Cabinet Office.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Mrs. Sinclair-McCalla has been the beneficiary of a rich educational background. Not only does she have specialist training in the field of education, but also public administration.
She holds a first degree in special education from Deakin University in Australia, as well as a Master of Science degree in government, from the University of the West Indies, and a Master of Arts degree in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University in Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Currently, Mrs. Sinclair-McCalla serves on a number of boards and committees, including the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, the Town and Country Planning Authority, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica.
Mrs. Sinclair-McCalla succeeds Charmaine Constantine, who retired in February.
