KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of the Prime Minister has announced that, effective Monday, October 3, Naomi Francis joined its communications team as press secretary.

Francis, who according to the OPM is an experienced communicator, is expected to strengthen the capacity of the Communications and Public Affairs Unit.

Working closely with the Director of Communications Robert Nesta Morgan, the OPM said the press secretary is a spokesperson on the business of the Government of Jamaica, especially as it relates to the prime minister, government policies and programmes.  

Her career in communication spans almost 20 years. She served as corporate communications manager at FLOW where she was part of the integration communications team, which planned strategies around the full merger of Columbus Communications and Cable and Wireless.

Francis was also a member of Nationwide News Network for 12 years where she served in several capacities. She also did stints at the Gleaner Company Limited, Television Jamaica and the Creative Production and Training Centre, CPTC.

Francis holds a Masters of Arts in Communication for Social and Behaviour Change and has won a number of awards, including the Jamaica Broiler Fair Play Awards in 2007 and 2009 and UNICEF Regional Award for stories/features on issues affecting children in 2008, all during her stint cohosting the programme Nationwide This Morning.

She is also reportedly a trained mediator and Justice of the Peace for the parish of St Andrew.