ONICA HALL
Director| Development And Public Relations
Kingston,Hope Pastures
Summary
Strategic communications professional with 10+ years’ experience in public relations, media engagement, and stakeholder outreach. Proven track record in leading national public education campaigns, crafting executive messaging, and managing high-impact events. Skilled in digital media strategy, cross-sector partnerships, and advancing regulatory and cultural literacy.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Director, Development & Public Relations
Institute of Jamaica
01.2019 - Current
- Created and managed the Department’s budget, work plan, and needs assessment report, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Developed and executed comprehensive corporate communication, marketing, and public relation plans, significantly increasing brand visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Led the design and coordination of public education campaigns, including Initiated and formalized a strategic partnership with Kool 97 FM, resulting in the production and hosting of cultural programmes aligned with the IOJ’s mission.
- Coordinated the design and successful launch of the IOJ Youth Ambassador Programme, encouraging youth advocacy and leadership in cultural preservation.
- Represented Jamaica at the UNESCO Creative Tourism Workshop in St. Vincent, promoting sustainable cultural development.
- Conducted interim and final appraisals for direct reports, contributing to a high-performance, accountable team culture.
- Oversaw the preparation of monthly and annual calendars of events and the procurement of promotional materials, strengthening brand presence and programming visibility.
- Directed the development and implementation of IOJ’s communications policy, social media policy and content strategy, achieving measurable increases in digital engagement.
- Supervised documentation and archiving of IOJ events, preserving institutional memory through systematic photography and digital storage.
- Authored speeches, talking points, and executive messages for senior leadership and national engagements.
- Maintained strategic partnerships with community-based organizations and media entities to enhance outreach, education, and national visibility.
- Prepared and submitted departmental reports to senior management, supporting evidence-based planning and policy decisions.
- Coordinated and implemented annual Read Across Jamaica Day initiatives, Back to School drives, and IOJ’s annual signature events.
Communications Specialist
Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre
09.2017 - 11.2019
- Formulated and implemented internal and external Behaviour Change Communication Strategies for the Strengthening a Culture of Integrity in Jamaica Project (SCIJ); funded by the National Integrity Action and United States Agency for International Development.
- Development of newsletters, press releases, feature articles, graphic material for print, radio and television and a database of media professionals.
- Created and procured promotional materials and other memorabilia for the SCIJ Project.
- Coordinated the creation of the new WROC Website and online Social Media platforms.
- Planned and implemented with the team, special events, workshops and public exhibitions for vulnerable community women, girls and young men.
- Prepared and submitted routine and special reports for both WROC and external donor agencies.
- Prepared and conducted research using various research methods such as focus groups, online questionnaires and interviews.
- Supervised volunteers and interns assigned to the Strengthening a Culture of Integrity in Jamaica Project.
Communications Research Assistant
Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications (CARIMAC), UWI Mona
09.2016 - 09.2017
- Collected, entered and analyzed data for quantitative Media Usage Survey.
- Wrote reports on Protocols for Referrals among Regional Health Authorities, Civil Society Organizations and Social Support Services.
- Created and edited quantitative Knowledge Attitude Perceptions and Behaviour (KAPB) survey for Transport Authority (Jamaica).
- Created and edited content for Antibiotic Resistance Campaign and managed subsequent workshop with Journalists (UWI Microbiology Unit).
Social Media Coordinator (Intern)
OCEANStyle Magazine
09.2015 - 11.2015
- Assisted with administration and online public relations for fashion showcase weekend.
- Created content and schedule for uploading of social media content.
- Managed correspondences with celebrities, invited guests, and sponsors for the event.
Public Relations Assistant
Runway Remix Fashion Show
10.2014 - 11.2015
- Created and managed implementation of traditional and social media marketing strategies, including the creation of Press Releases, Social Media Content & Advertisements.
- Managed the correspondence between the event and the media.
- Assisted in the implementation of the event.
Guest Services Representative
Jolly Beach Resort & Spa
06.2008 - 11.2010
- Managed Guest Reservations.
- Met and greeted guests and followed up with their queries and complaints.
Education
Master of Arts - Communication for Social & Behaviour Change
The University of the West Indies
01.2016 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) - Integrated Marketing Communications (Major), Entertainment, Culture & Enterprise Management (Minor)
The University of the West Indies
01.2013 - 01.2016
French Linguistics - undefined
Université Mohammed V
01.2010 - 01.2011
Skills
- Research Methods and Analysis
- Event Planning
- Project Management
- Strategic Planning
- Implementation of Communication Activities
- Social Media Management
- Website Management
- Online Research Software (Survey Monkey, Google Forms)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- Prezi Presentation
- Graphics Creation
- Animation Creation
- Canva
- PowToon
- Social Media Analytics
- Hootsuite
- Google Analytics
Extra Curricular Activities
Board member, Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre, 01/21 - Present
Representative for Jamaica, UNESCO Transcultura Creative Tourism Workshop (St. Vincent)
Resident Advisor, Office of Student Services & Development, 01/17 - 01/21
Commuting Students Advisor, Office of Student Services & Development, 01/16 - 01/17
Steering Committee Member, Signing Safe Futures Jamaica Project (Jamaica Association for the Deaf), 01/18 - 01/19
Panel Member, UWI - Mona Western Jamaica Campus, annual Hall Week public forum: 'FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Navigating the New Age Phenomenon', 01/19
President, UWI- Mona Western Jamaica Campus Insider (Campus Newspaper), 01/13 - 01/14
Participant, UWI Speaks – Public Speaking Programme, 01/13 - 01/14
Participant, UWI- Western Jamaica Campus Guild Academic Mentorship Programme, 01/14 - 01/15
Participant, Student plenary at UNESCO’s Forum of Caribbean Community Media Partners, 01/15
Humanities & Education Faculty Representative, 01/14 - 01/15
Certification
Supervisory Management
References
Dr Livingston White
876-833-8670
livingston.white@uwimona.edu.jm
Ms Cherine Richards
876-826-7086
cherinerichards@yahoo.com
Timeline
State Protocol and Business Etiquette
09-2024
Supervisory Management
01-2024
Director, Development & Public Relations
Institute of Jamaica
01.2019 - Current
Communications Specialist
Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre
09.2017 - 11.2019
Communications Research Assistant
Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications (CARIMAC), UWI Mona
09.2016 - 09.2017
Master of Arts - Communication for Social & Behaviour Change
The University of the West Indies
01.2016 - 01.2019
Social Media Coordinator (Intern)
OCEANStyle Magazine
09.2015 - 11.2015
Public Relations Assistant
Runway Remix Fashion Show
10.2014 - 11.2015
Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) - Integrated Marketing Communications (Major), Entertainment, Culture & Enterprise Management (Minor)
The University of the West Indies
01.2013 - 01.2016
French Linguistics - undefined
Université Mohammed V
01.2010 - 01.2011
Guest Services Representative
Jolly Beach Resort & Spa
06.2008 - 11.2010
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