Corporate Planner, Office of the Chief Executive Officer

Closing Date: February 8, 2021

Type of Vacancy: /

Details of the Post

Applications are invited from suitable candidates from all CDF Member States for the position of Corporate Planner, Office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CARICOM Development Fund (CDF).

Application letter, curriculum vitae and names and contact information for two professional referees, should be submitted by regular mail, courier or email to opportunity@caricomdf.org and to aparris@caricomdf.org,  with the caption “Application for Position of Corporate Planner, Office of the CEO”.

Please note that the CDF will not defray any cost incurred by persons applying for this position and will only acknowledge submissions from shortlisted applicants.

The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday, 08th February 2021.

Context and Key Functions of the Post

The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) established in 2008, is a key developmental mechanism in the architecture of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as set out in Chapter 7 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (Establishing the Caribbean Community including the CSME). The vision of the CDF is to lead in providing effective, efficient and sustainable solutions that address the challenges faced by disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors participating in the CSME. In so doing, its mission is to assist its Member States (currently Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago) maximize the benefits arising from participation in the CSME, by reducing intra-regional disparities through effective partnerships and the provision of financial and technical assistance. The approach to implementation of this broad regional integration and development mandate is reflected in the CDF’s strategic positioning, plans, programmes and associated targets for its second cycle of operations (2015-2020), which coincides with the organisation’s most recent 6-year Strategic Plan period.

The key overarching functions of the Corporate Planner will be to strengthen internal planning and monitoring systems, processes and procedures to achieve enhanced performance in achieving the organisation’s strategic and operational objectives, while ensuring full alignment of the CDF’s Strategic Plan with the wider strategic goals and operational plans of CARICOM.

The Corporate Planner will be responsible for assisting the CEO develop, implement, review, evaluate and report on the strategic and work programme initiatives of the CDF. Many of the functions of the post will revolve around the imperative to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the structures, strategies, policies, and programmes adopted and being considered by the CDF in pursuit of fulfilment of its regional mandate, helping to ensure that they are ‘fit for purpose’. Emphasis will be placed on mainstreaming the principles and practices of Results Based Management (RBM) into all operations of the CDF.

Accountability/Responsibility

The Corporate Planner will be responsible for:

  1. Ensuring that principles and practices of Results Based Management (RBM) are embedded in the design and execution of CDF policies and programmes.
  2. Ensuring that the CDF Strategic Plan is implemented in a timely and effective manner and reviewed periodically in accordance with the phases of the CDF subscription and programming cycle.
  3. Overseeing the development, maintenance and monitoring of the execution of the Work Programme of the CDF on a biennium, annual and quarterly basis.
  4. Leading coordination of the preparation of the CDF Annual Report.
  5. Ensuring that other performance reports are prepared for the timely consideration of the CEO, CDF management and the Board of Directors.

Qualifications and Experience

The Corporate Planner must be a mid-level to high-level professional with a proven track record of tangible achievements. The incumbent should have practical experience in development programming, development finance/economics, strategic planning, public administration and/or programme/project management. The incumbent should also be familiar with the work of the CARICOM Secretariat and regional institutions in the Caribbean Community. The holder of this position must be a results-driven, self-starter with leadership ability. The job requires the incumbent to possess a demonstrated commitment to regional integration, good judgment, sensitivity and effective communication skills, so as to be able to interface effectively with senior representatives of regional institutions, Member States and regional and external development partners/international organisations involved in the design and  implementation of national and regional development programmes.

The Corporate Planner should have:

  • A Post Graduate Degree in the field of either Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public/Development Administration, Development Planning, Strategic Planning or Project Management.
  • A minimum of 7 years working experience in the private or public sector or regional institution in a senior position, with responsibility for designing and implementing economic or social development strategies, policies and programmes, or strategic plans and work programmes.

Specialized training, qualifications and competency in the use of Information Technology applications, Results Based Management and/or Monitoring and Evaluation Systems would be distinct advantages.

Other Skills and Competencies

  • Demonstrated high-level written, oral and interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
  • Excellent analytical and drafting skills.
  • Initiative, ability to work independently, set priorities and perform under pressure with accuracy and dedication.
  • Ability to establish positive working relationships at various levels, internally and externally.
  • Experience in developing and reporting on Key Performance Indicators.

Specific Tasks and Duties

1.         Support to the CEO:

  • Assist the CEO with coordination of inputs required for preparation and performance review of the CDF Strategic Plan, Biennium, Annual and Quarterly Work Programmes and associated periodic reporting on Plan and Programme achievements.
  • Organize and coordinate planning and execution of internal and external meetings geared towards development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the CDF Strategic Plan.
  • Play a lead role in improving alignment between the CDF Strategic Plan and wider regional and global frameworks, including the CARICOM Strategic Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Coordinate the process of preparation of the CDF Annual Report, including collation and review of departmental inputs and management of the production of the publication.
  • Assist with administrative arrangements and management of CDF’s Annual Meeting of Contributors and Development Partners.

2.         Support to Institutional Priorities/Department Heads

  • Prepare and/or review the CDF RBM policy and implementation plan to guide Strategy and Work Programme formulation.
  • Strengthen the capacity of the CDF to design and implement RBM policies and practices across all operations, collaborating with regional and international partner agencies as appropriate.
  • Assist with building institutional capacity in Monitoring and Evaluation of programmes.
  • Assist with establishment, analysis, monitoring and reporting on achievement of KPIs.
  • Prepare annual reports on achievement of the CDF Strategic Plan and Work Programme goals, objectives and targets.
  • Assist with the process of ensuring alignment between the biennium, annual and quarterly work programmes and budgets.
  • Participate as part of an internal review team in the evaluation of programmes, projects and other interventions proposed by Member States, other stakeholders or the technical staff of the CDF.

3.         Other Support Functions

  • Assist with the design and execution of an outreach programme for the CDF.
  • Represent the CDF at CARICOM and other regional meetings related to capacity building in strategic planning, results-based management and related areas.
  • Coordinate the provision of and conduct training and coaching sessions to staff on corporate and strategic planning systems and initiatives.
  • Any other responsibilities that may be assigned by the CEO.
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