The Ministry of Health says its standing by the job description of the chief executive officer of the Child Development Agency (CDA) despite concerns raised by lobby groups Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) and Hear The Children’s Cry.

The groups had earlier questioned the qualifications for the CDA head as posted in an advertisement on the Ministry’s website.

The ministry is actively seeking a replacement for outgoing CEO for the agency after Alison Anderson McLean resigned from that post last month.

The advertisement says the CEO is to provide leadership to the CDA and ensure its effectiveness in attaining the corporate goals and objectives of the agency.

Jamaicans for Justice and Hear The Children’s Cry say those requirements are inadequate.

In a statement this afternoon, the health ministry said the job description appropriately reflects the work that is undertaken by the chief executive officer, which is included in the performance agreement signed between the CEO and the health minister.

It also pointed out that there are within the CDA, persons with varying levels of responsibility including facility managers, children’s officers, parish managers and regional directors.

The ministry has also sought to clarify what it says may be some confusion between the functions of the CEO who has general responsibility for the strategic direction of the agency and standards, and more task oriented functions that would take place at the points of service delivery.

Regarding the CEO qualifications the ministry said its interested in recruiting a candidate with a proven track record in leadership and strategic management and with a sound knowledge of public policy.

It says even a cursory glance at the job advertisement would confirm that the qualifications required include postgraduate and undergraduate training in a number of areas including child adolescent health and social work.

It notes that these skills are also far more critical and appropriate for persons working at the different levels within the organization and who will have direct interface with the wards of the state in the normal course of their duties.

But the ministry has acknowledged that no job description however expertly crafted can guarantee attracting persons of integrity who are “capable and committed” to the job.

The Ministry says it also takes note of the repeated attempts to link the unfortunate tragedy at Armadale to the CDA.

It said its clear that given the government’s recent decision to place children in correctional facilities under the jurisdiction of the CDA as well as the government’s clear intention to develop the necessary legislative and policy framework to support this decision, that the CDA and by extension the Ministry of Health, does not, at present, have responsibility for children in these facilities.