1. About the Organisation:
The Ministry for Revenue is a key state organisation with its main functions centring around revenue collection and enforcing Customs and Inland Revenue laws and other related rules and regulations.
By ensuring effective and efficient processes the Ministry endeavours to ensure smooth movement of people and goods across the border and collect the correct revenue due to the state.
The Ministry’s three principal roles are:
To manage and administer the taxation systems in a way that encourages compliance by all taxpayers
To facilitate trade and the movement of people across Samoa’s borders while at the same time protecting the community and ensuring compliance with Samoan laws; and
To efficiently collect the correct revenue due to the State
2. About the division:
The Border Operations Division is accountable for the operational effectiveness of the Ministry’s border policies, and therefore has a key responsibility for the protection and effective management of Samoa’s border and ports of entry.
Customs Officers within this division have a key ‘front line’ role in protecting and enhancing the interests of Samoa by managing security and community risks associated with the flow of people, goods and craft into and out of Samoa and by collecting any revenue arising from these processes.
3. Position purpose:
The primary responsibility of this position is to complete the day to day operations of the division, to ensure the effective and efficient application of divisional and ministry wide processes and policies.
In particular, the incumbent will provide assistance with the frontline clearance of travellers and cargo, in line with current legislation and regulations through which the work of the Ministry is enabled, as well as international agreements to which Samoa is a signatory.
4. Duties and responsibilities:
Job-specific duties and accountabilities – things specific to this job:
Traveller clearance:
Ensure the effective processing of travellers entering or leaving Samoa and the identification and interception of prohibited and restricted goods.
Observe passenger behaviour to identify potential risk and recommend where Customs should interact with passengers to verify compliance.
Where a risk has been identified, undertake baggage and personal searches and report on the findings of those searches.
Interact with people in order to examine and clear passengers and baggage crossing Samoa’s borders, which may include formal questioning where non-compliance is suspected
Cargo examination:
Process cargo including documentary checks and physical examination, including at the Post Office and air and sea ports, and where required, interact with importers/brokers to ensure all information is obtained
As part of a team and following the direction of the supervisor, board and search ships and aircraft to ensure compliance with regulations and to detect undocumented cargo, prohibited and restricted goods and stowaways
In line with operational policy, monitor security in Customs-controlled areas, including wharves and airport tarmac to ensure the integrity of Customs processes. Where a breach in security is identified, report this to a supervisor.
Undertake duties required for the clearance or seizure of imported and exported goods in line with international agreements to which Samoa is a signatory e.g. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Montreal Protocol, Stockholm Convention, Rotterdam Convention, Basel Convention etc.
Provide advice to stakeholders and customers:
Provide assistance to passengers and clients in relation to import and export in line with Customs regulations
Encourage compliance by providing helpful, informative and accurate information and acting in a professional and trustworthy manner.
Demonstrate utmost integrity at all times by representing the Ministry for Revenue and the government of Samoa well and by providing high quality, customer-focused services
Duty collection:
As authorised, undertake accurate assessment and collection of duties at ports of entry and ensure that the monies received are accurately recorded in ASYCUDA and submitted to the cashier at the earliest opportunity in line with operational policy.
5. Person specification:
To be effective in achieving the objectives and expectations described above, incumbents in this position will need to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experiences:
Generic accountabilities – things expected of all people at the Ministry:
Personal capability:
Actively participate in the Ministry’s ongoing training, development and performance planning and appraisal processes.
Planning:
Actively participate in planning own work programme, e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, etc.
Provide input as required into team, divisional and/or Ministry planning.
Ministry policies and practices:
Meet the obligations of all Ministry employees via compliance with the Ministry’s business policies and practices including the Code of Conduct.
Understand the legislation, regulations and other technical frameworks that the Ministry upholds, protects and operates within.
Health and safety:
Follow and support work practices that are safe and promote personal wellbeing.
Organisational values:
In your day to day work at the Ministry, we expect you to uphold and reflect our organisational values:
Integrity: At all times we are professional and display utmost integrity, by acting with:
Honesty
We act honestly, are truthful and abide by the laws of Samoa.
We are trustworthy in everything we do.
Impartiality
We provide impartial advice, act without fear or favour, and make decisions on their merits.
Transparency
We take actions and make decisions in an open way.
Merit
Job Competencies:
Descriptors
Skills & Abilities:
1. Customer Focus
2. Communication Skills
3. Achievement Focus
4. Analysis and Decision Making
• Well developed interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in both Samoan and English.
• Ability to build successful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply drive, energy and enthusiasm for getting the job done.
• Able to analyse situations from different points of view.
Personal Attributes:
1. Self Development and work management
2. Integrity
3. Teamwork
• Committed to the work, ability to work to high professional and ethical standards consistent with ‘Public Service’
