Staff, Roles and Functions
The High Commission to the UK has a staff complement of 20 persons. It also houses the offices of the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Jamaica Information Service and the European Regional Office of Jamaica Trade and Invest. JHC UK (the Jamaican High Commission in the United Kingdom) prides itself in providing a rounded diplomatic experience to Jamaican Foreign Service officers, as it deals with bilateral, multilateral, consular and community issues all under one roof. JHC London is therefore an excellent training ground for officers in the Foreign Service.
The High Commissioner
The High Commissioner, as head of the Mission, is responsible both to the Jamaican government and to the United Kingdom. He or she participates in the formation of Mission policy and its execution. The High Commissioner’s primary aim is to foster, maintain and improve co-operation between Jamaica and these countries, as well as to develop trade, economic and tourism links. The High Commissioner also maintains contact with Jamaican nationals living in the UK through regular visits to communities, meetings, and functions.
Deputy High Commissioner
The Deputy High Commissioner deputizes all the functions of the High Commissioner, manages all administrative and financial matters, and oversees the Consular, Political and Community Development sections of the High Commission.
The Political and Economic Department
The Department considers and analyzes developments of a political, economic and commercial nature that relate to Jamaica. It is responsible for maintaining and enhancing contacts between Jamaica and the British government, Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Maritime Organisation, the International Cocoa Organisation, and the International Coffee Organisation, among other multilateral entities.
The Department also assists with the co-ordination of cultural activities such as fairs, meetings, and educational talks.
Consular Section
The Consular Section is the service arm of the High Commission and interfaces with a large clientele of Jamaican nationals across the United Kingdom. Consular requests from the six countries under the Mission’s purview are usually transmitted through accredited Honorary Consuls of Jamaica living in each country.
See the FAQs sections of this website for more information on passport services.
Diaspora Development
Diaspora development is designed to strengthen relations between the Jamaica government and Jamaican nationals in the UK. Among activities that have taken place recently is the lobby against the Air Passenger Duty.
Community Relations
The Community Relations Department maintains close links with the Jamaican community in the UK. There are now over 74 Jamaican organizations, 56 Caribbean organizations and 36 Afro- Caribbean Service Centres listed on the High Commission’s database. The Community Relations Officer encourages the formation and continuing development of community groups and associations, participates in community events, disseminates information on Jamaica, provides welfare advice to needy Jamaicans, and coordinates and facilitates donations to Jamaica.
The High Commission in recent years has targeted youth organisations. For example, the Young Minds Group initiative solicits the advice and ideas of Jamaican students in the UK regarding Jamaica’s national development.
Finance and Administration Department
The main functions of the Finance and Administration Department are:
- To manage and co-ordinate the financial activities of the High Commission, Jamaica Information Service (JIS) and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
- To deal with personnel and staff matters, the general operation and maintenance of the Mission's facilities, Security and the computer system.
The Jamaica Information Service web site address is www.jis.gov.jm.
Telephone: (876) 926-3740-8 / 926-3590-8, Fax: (876) 754-4051
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