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JMD Wage – UWI

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afrocentricity
  10/26/2017 13:00 EST

Hi everyone,

I am a Canadian-Caribbean (with JA roots from my mother, dad from another island) who was recently offered a post with the UWI – Mona. This post is a senior administrative where I would be assisting students to become paraprofessional social workers, facilitating courses and creating short-courses. The post has asked for someone who has a Masters in Social Work (M.S.W.) and I actually have an M.S.W. and an M.A. in education and am a practicing clinician. The starting remuneration offered was less than CAD 30K . I am very aware that wage scales would differ in the Caribbean as opposed to Canada/US, however, the wage offered seems quite disproportionate based on my qualifications. Also, I have been told by a cousin who visits often that Jamaica isn’t cheap.

My reason for wanting to take on this possible venture is largely due to wanting to reconnect to my Caribbean culture, build onto my intentional experiences (I’ve live din overseas in Southern Africa).

I’m about to start the negotiation stage concerning my salary. Therefore, if anyone who has worked at or with the UWI can assist me (without offering snarky comments - thank you) that would much appreciated. I’ve been searching for weeks on wages at the UWI, but have been forwarded to wages coming out of Trinidad or Barbados, which of course is not the same. Thanks.

RickBlaine
  10/26/2017 13:29 EST

While I have no direct experience with wages & salary at UWI I would say on average the amount, roughly $3mil JMD per year would but you in the higher end of the pay scale on the island. The average for a "decent" job here is about a $1mil a year. As long as you don't try to live like an "American or Canadian" here (referring to standard of living) you'll do well.

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ruthie14
  10/26/2017 13:39 EST

It's certainly worth asking for more. I'm not sure if you'll get it. UWI is government-owned and the salaries reflect that. My sister has an MPH, works in the Ministry of Health and her salary is less than $30,000 USD. She lives in a studio apartment in Kingston and cannot afford to run the AC all night. You are correct that many things will cost you more than they would in Canada or the U.S. Other things would be much cheaper (household help, locally grown food). Good luck!

Cessj
  10/26/2017 15:05 EST

Hi there, Ruthie, I actually know the person that your'e being recruited to replaced...she is also a Canadian who held what I think is the same role for several years until for various reasons, she resigned and returned to Canada this year...I worked at UWI Mona from 2014-2016 and so can give you some advice but I'd prefer it to be 100% confidential and so would rather not use this platform...

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