(Jamaica Observer, Kimone Thompson, 26.Feb.2019) — The state-owned oil refinery Petrojam, which is currently embroiled in a management scandal, has begun the search for a new HR manager, following Yolande Ramharrack’s resignation late last year amid allegations of nepotism, underqualification and an improper salary.
According to vacancy notices published in the newspapers over the past two Sundays, the ideal candidate should have a master’s degree in human resource management, behavioural science, or an equivalent area, and a minimum of 10 years’ HR management experience, some of which should be in a unionised environment.
The candidate should have expert knowledge of performance management theory and practice, knowledge of Jamaica’s labour laws and Government guidelines, and the skills required to supervise departmental staff, handle industrial relations matters, counsel staff, and resolve human resource issues across the company. Knowledge of Human Resource Information Management System would be an asset, the notice said.
The deadline for applications is March 1.
The furore with Ramharrack started when a report by the auditor general uncovered multiple examples of malpractice and impropriety at the refinery, including the then HR manager’s qualifications and compensation package. According to the report, Ramharrack did not hold a master’s degree, but was earning just over $13 million annually — up from $10.5 million some two months of her joining the Petrojam staff and while still on probation.
By contrast, her immediate predecessor, Roselee Scott-Heron, who does hold a master’s degree, earned $9.82 million at the time of her dismissal in December 2016.
When she appeared before Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) in July last year, Ramharrack explained that while she did not hold a master’s degree, she had obtained graduate certification. She did not give details about the area of competence.
“The job description does indicate that the qualification is a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent qualifications and experience. I do have a graduate certification and I am at least more than half-way to earning my MBA currently,” she told the PAAC.
Since her departure from the refinery, the former Petrojam HR manager has been engaged in consulting, according to a LinkedIn profile under the name Yolande Ramharrack. She is styled as human resource consultant and process improvement specialist, and alternatively as global human resource consultant and business improvement specialist since December 18.
The LinkedIn profile is not accompanied by a photograph, but the contact information matches Ramharrack’s Twitter account, which does display photos of her. As far as qualifications, LinkedIn profile lists certificates from Harvard Business School, Global talent Management Company Framework and Cari-Code Strategy and Associates, Inc.
The auditor general’s report exposed broader mismanagement issues at the refinery, to include questionable spending and contractual arrangements, cost overruns, nepotism and cronyism, and numerous breaches of Government’s procurement guidelines. An expensive birthday party for then energy minister Andrew Wheatley, and air travel reimbursement for then board chairman Perceval Bahado-Singh for unattended meetings were among them.
Wheatley, Bahado-Singh, then General Manager Floyd Grindley, and the Jamaican members of the board were sacked in the wake of the revelation.
Petrojam is also currently the focus of political scrutiny, with the Andrew Holness-led Administration agreeing in the House of Representatives and Senate last week to compulsorily buy-back the 49 per cent shares in the refinery, which it had sold to Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
***