THE Ministry of Public Security has advertised for a deputy director and head, Drug Information Network for the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA). NANA is headed by Major-General (retired) Michael Atherly.
In an advertisement placed in the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, suitably qualified persons are being asked to apply for the post of deputy director. The job entails monitoring and assessing the implementation of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan on a continuous basis in collaboration with stakeholders, which includes civil society and the academic community.
The deputy director is also required to update drug policies, plans and programmes in accordance with the results of their evaluations.
Moreover, the deputy director is required to assess data on demand reduction and supply control including prevention, treatment, reintegration and illicit crop cultivation, diversion of pharmaceutical products, drug market information and criminal offences, on a regular basis.

Applicants must possess a master’s degree in management or a related field; have knowledge and experience in the use of security software applications and electronic devices, along with 15 years’ practice in management or a similar experience.
Additionally, applicants must be equipped with the ability to formulate, analyse and promote policy implementation, and have experience in matters of public security and safety coupled with the requisite training and education.
Meanwhile, applicants for head, Drug Information Network, will be responsible for the conducting research, compiling and co-coordinating drug-related statistics and other vital information.

The successful applicant would also be required to disseminate drug demand and supply information resulting from the analyses and syntheses of studies and data collection for use by policy-makers and stakeholders.
The candidate, once selected, will be required to build resources and capacities to allow the implementation of objectives and accomplishment of responsibilities.
Applicants must possess a master’s degree in management or a related field, must have five years’ knowledge and experience in counter anti-narcotics issues and be equipped with the ability to formulate, analyse and promote policy implementation. Training and education in the field would prove advantageous.
Those selected wil be employed for a period of one year with a possibility of renewal. The terms of reference for the two positions can be obtained from the Ministry of Public Security’s Personnel Department and all applications and curriculum vitae must be sent to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Security, Lot 6 Brickdam on or before September 1.

In 2016, the Government of Guyana launched a new National Drug Strategy Master Plan (2016-2020) and created NANA. The agency was created to be the new umbrella body to overlook the country’s anti-narcotics programme and partners with the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Customs and Trade Administration, the Police Anti-Narcotics Branch and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).