Director of Human Resources Management & Development

Bio

David C. Knight has built a progressive career in the public service, beginning in September 1991 and culminating in his current role as Director of Human Resources Management and Development at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), which he assumed on September 1, 2021. His prior roles covered public sector management, leadership and governance starting at the Ministry of Construction (Housing) through to the Ministry of Transport and Works and the National Works Agency.

He has served in several capacities, including: Administrative Assistant to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Construction; Administrator in the Local Government Administration Unit; Director of Human Resource Development at the Ministry of Transport and Works; and Manager of Personnel and Industrial Relations, as well as Ethical Officer, at the National Works Agency.

He was also appointed to various inter-ministerial committees over the years. Dr. Knight currently serves as the JIS Trustee on the Executive Agencies Pension Scheme Board of Trustees. He is also a Director on the Board of Management of Tax Administration Jamaica and a member of the Human Resource Council of the Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU).

A certified trainer and Prosci Change Practitioner, Dr. Knight has completed various professional development programmes, including the Senior Public Service Executive Development programme (sponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat), the Human Resource Management Seminar for Jamaica in China, and training in Environmental Stewardship, Performance Coaching, and Project Management at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND). He is also a graduate of the 22nd Junior Chamber International (JCI) Japan Leadership Academy.

A graduate of the University of the West Indies, the Human Resources practitioner attained a Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) with Honours and a Diploma in Public Administration with Distinction. He also holds a Master of Science in Workforce Education and Development from the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In 2024, the Director achieved the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from the University of Liverpool, UK.

Dr. Knight is committed to people development and social responsibility as manifested in the various non-salaried executive positions he has held such as Board/Company Secretary of the Best Care Foundation, operators of Best Care Special Education School; former Vice President of the Correctional Services Credit Cooperative, a Past Member of UTech Post Graduate Advisory Council and Past President of JCI West Indies, JCI Jamaica and JCI St. Andrew (Jaycees). He has conducted training in Suriname, Guyana and other Caribbean islands as a JCI-certified trainer and has served many local organisations as guest speaker, coach, facilitator, trainer and board member. He is the recipient of SDC Spirit of the Community Award, Best Debate Team (JCI Conference of the Americas), Spanish Literary Competitions, Ortega y Gassett & Trofeo Andres Bello, for Essay and Poetry at UWI and JCI Senator (Life Member).

A graduate of Highgate All Age School and a Past Head Boy of St. Mary High School, Dr. Knight enjoys debates, public affairs, nature watching and amateur photography, and living his life by faith and courage. He believes that “we are divinely made for a purpose”. One of his mantras is “To be more than an ordinary servant”. He fellowships with the Associated Gospel Assemblies and is married with one son.

A fun fact about Dr. Knight is that he filled the role of an amateur actor in an educational series called A-Graders. The programme was aired on local television. The series was a tool to assist students preparing for the then GSAT. He played the character, Mass Elroy, a single father to a daughter who was preparing for GSAT. It was a contribution to the education sector through a project sponsored by Guardian Life Limited, JCI St. Andrew and CVM TVJ TV. The programme focused on getting students ready for GSAT under the theme, ‘Bringing GSAT to Life’.

As Director of Human Resources Management & Development, Dr. Knight’s goal is to contribute to Team JIS fulfilling its mandate by ensuring the maintenance of a high-performance workforce that is motivated, engaged and committed to the delivery of quality public services.