DEPUTY PROGRAMME MANAGER PRIVATE SECTOR FACILITATION AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Closing Date: November 4, 2022
Type of Vacancy: CARICOM Secretariat Vacancies / Expired Notices
Details of the Post
Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified nationals of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States and Associate Members of the Caribbean Community to fill the abovementioned position in the Caribbean Community Secretariat with assigned duty station in Guyana.
2. FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The Deputy Programme Manager, Private Sector Facilitation and Industrial Development is responsible for the preparation and updating of proposals for implementation of the Community Industrial Policy and supporting programmes. The incumbent will also coordinate consultations and decision making among Member States on matters pertaining to Industrial Development and to Private Sector Development with special focus on SMEs and monitoring, facilitating and review of implementation of Community decisions and the performance of the Industrial Sector as well as the participation of the Private Sector in Community arrangements.
The Deputy Programme Manager, Private Sector Facilitation and Industrial Development is required to develop proposals for and monitor implementation of regional strategies and policies for Industrial Development. He/She will assess the growth and development of CARlCOM’s industrial economy in order to promote improved coordinated action among Member States in directing industrial development efforts towards international competitiveness, under a Community Industrial Policy through providing the Community with a current account on the status of the industrial sector and to inform, support and encourage private sector participation in the CSME.
In this regard, the incumbent is required to plan and supervise the execution of research activities relevant to the development of the regional industrial development strategies and private sector participation; coordinate the elaboration of industrial development programmes in accordance with the long-term and strategic interests and objectives of the Community. He/She will prepare and present to Community Organs for decision-making, proposals for industrial policies and supporting programmes and projects as well as private sector inclusion; promote industrial cooperation among Member States through the coordination of consultations and building of consensus among private sector and other partners; monitor the implementation of community decisions; conduct regular reviews of the performance of the Industrial Sector; advise Community Organs on their implications for development of industry within CARICOM; and work with the private sector towards its increased appreciation and use of the CSME.
3. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
A Master’s Degree in in Economics, Management, International Trade Policy or a related discipline, plus at least five (5) years of related and relevant experience in the field of industrial or private sector development and innovation in one or more of the following:
- A national or regional organisation
- A regional institution
- A multinational corporation
- International organisation
The candidate should possess specialized training and good working knowledge in:
- Project Management, Writing, Formulating and Budgeting
- Private Sector Facilitation, Trade and Growth
- Development of industrial policy
4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Result 1: Manage activities in the area of Private Sector Facilitation and Industrial Development.
Activities
1.1 OVERSEES and GUIDES the work of the Private Sector and Industrial Development Unit in the implementation of the Community Industrial Policy (as outlined in Articles 51 to 53 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas), the Regional Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Policy and the articulation and execution of policies and programmes to support the development of an enabling business and trading environment, including through the promotion of business process reform, with the endorsement of the policy-makers on such actions for increased commercial activity, manufacturing and agro-industrial production as well as competitiveness. In particular, with respect to Industrial Development, the Programme Manager, Private Sector Facilitation and Industrial Development, will be required to:
1.1.1 PromoteS and coordinateS the developmentofprivate sector related policies, plans, strategies, frameworks and tools across all work programmes under the Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development in order to support and enhance private sector activities;
1.1.2 DevelopS polices to provide an adequate enterprise eco-system for new business ventures and start-ups in order to support the expansion or restructuring of existing enterprises, and/or re-engineering of enterprise models;
1.1.3 DevelopS national and regional programmes and strategies to reform the business operating environment and improve the performance of the region on the ease of doing business indicators;
1.1.4 PromoteS digitization and use of technology by the private sector to improve productivity and efficiency, as well as the utilization of energy efficient systems in commercial activity, including the application of the energy efficient building code in factories and enterprises to enhance resilience and sustainability;
1.1.5 SupportS the implementation and roll-out of the Regional Investment Promotion Strategy, and FACILITATES private sector engagement in, access to and uptake of investment opportunities;
1.1.6 DevelopS policies and strategies to improve the regional market information and intelligence systems, including through national and regional business support organizations (BSOs) and trade support institutions (TSIs);
1.1.7 SupportS the development of regional financing strategies, mechanisms and/or frameworks to address availability of capital and access to financing and credit by the private sector, including through financial and business planning support services.
1.2 FACILITATES the promotion of industrial development within the Community including the finalization of the Community Industrial Policy and development strategies which promote the competitiveness of products and services and increase the productivity of industries and SMEs;
1.2.1 DEVELOPS and IMPLEMENTS, as appropriate, specific interventions for the development of a competitive Micro and Small Enterprises Sector in the Member States including a SME Model Bill, a Strategic Plan for SME Development and other interventions that seek to improve access to available sources of financing;
1.2.2 PROVIDES technical assistance to Member States to establish and maintain an investor-friendly business environment, including a facilitative administrative process and where appropriate a, ‘One Stop Shop,” for doing business;
1.2.3 MANAGES an effective communications network with Public Sector Bodies that have responsibility for private sector development as well as the Private Sector on matters relating to regional initiatives that impact on the development and CSME awareness of businesses;
1.2.4 MANAGES a timely response system for all requests for information, inquiries and complaints from the Private Sector;
1.2.5 IDENTIFIES and ARTICULATES issues affecting the private sector in the context of the doing business within the CSME and PROVIDES advice on how these should be effectively addressed;
1.2.6 MANAGES Secretariat-led initiatives and SUPPORTS international, regional and national initiatives which seek to further develop the private sector in terms of export capacity enhancement, R&D and product development, as well as other functional areas that positively impact on the ability of the private sector to achieve and enhance international competitiveness;
1.2.7 SUPPORTS the Region’s participation in national, regional and international events that seek to enhance trade and investment opportunities as well as those events that enhance the image of the Community;
1.2.8 LIAISES with regional and international partners that provide support, including financial support, to the Region’s private sector and industrial sector; and
1.2.9 PROVIDES support to the various organs of the Community including the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in various Private Sector Development Initiatives and Industrial Development initiatives, which positively impact business.
1.3 PROMOTES the establishment and maintenance of an investment-friendly environment, including a facilitative administrative process;
1.4 PromoteS the advancement of production integration and cross border investments, i.e. (a) the direct organization of production in more than one Member State by a single economic enterprise; (b) complementary production involving collaboration among several economic enterprises operating in one or more Member States to produce and use required inputs in the production chain; and (c) co-operation among economic enterprises in areas such as purchasing, marketing, and research and development;
1.5 PromoteS the consultative process with stakeholders especially the private sector, including farmers’ networks and groups, to ensure effective participation in public policy/legal framework in the development of Regional and National Public Private Partnerships and determination of priority programmes for development and implementation; and
1.6 OverseeS the implementation of sector policies and programmes of the CSME.
Key Result 2: Actively identify and develop key areas for innovative transformation.
Activities
2.1 MEET with stakeholders at different levels to identify areas of innovation transformation and growth;
2.2 DEVELOPS plans according to varying timelines, and MANAGES these processes by aligning innovation goals with the broader business objectives;
2.3 IDENTIFIES innovation trends and business opportunities within the market;
2.4 DEVELOPS, STRATEGIZES, and PLANS new interventions that will drive innovation;
2.5 CREATES and OVERSEES a comprehensive long-term Regional innovation strategy;
2.6 ENGAGES with internal and external stakeholders to enhance innovative thinking; and
2.7 PRESENTS new ideas and approaches to high-level stakeholders as required.
In addition to the Activities outlined above, the incumbent is expected to perform other related duties as assigned.
5. EMOLUMENTS AND BENEFITS
An attractive remuneration package will be offered.
6. EDUCATION GRANT
The Officer shall be eligible for the payment of an education grant in respect of children (including step-children and legally-adopted children) who require reasonable education facilities that are not available at the assigned duty station or whose education the Officer would not want to disrupt in relocating to take up this appointment.
The grant shall apply to children under the age of twenty-three (23) years and shall not exceed seventy-five per cent (75%) of the cost of tuition (including textbooks), room and board up to a maximum total of EC$16,200.00 per year per child for a maximum of two (2) children at any one time. The grant is payable for a maximum of five (5) years.
7. SETTLEMENT GRANT
On assumption of duty in Guyana, the Officer shall be paid a settlement grant in respect of the staff member, his or her spouse and each eligible child or other approved dependent. The number of dependents eligible for Settlement Grant shall not exceed six (6) persons.
8. RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT
Appointment may be on permanent establishment or on secondment from a Public Service or a statutory body of a Member State or approved regional organisation. It will be subject to such regulations, rules, orders and instructions as exist and as may be introduced from time to time in respect of service with the Secretariat.
An Officer recruited from outside the assigned duty station, on first appointment, will be provided economy class air passages by the most direct route for the Officer, spouse and children (provided they are below the age of eighteen (18) years, unmarried and dependent on the Officer) and for such other dependents not exceeding two as may be approved by the Secretary-General, provided that the number of children and other dependents does not exceed six (6) in all.
In addition to passages, the Officer will be granted the following transportation allowances:
(i) ocean freight charges, including insurance, for shipping personal and household effects to Guyana, not exceeding 45.3 cubic meters, plus a motor car (if the Officer already owns one);
(ii) the cost of transporting baggage, personal and household effects from the home of the Officer to the place of embarkation and from the port of disembarkation to the place of residence in Guyana; and
- the cost of packing and crating personal and household effects.
9. LEAVE
The Officer will be eligible for the grant of vacation leave at the rate of twenty (20) working days a year and a leave grant after every twelve months of service in respect of the Officer, spouse and up to two (2) dependent children.
10. PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES
The Officer will be granted the privileges and immunities extended to officials of the Caribbean Community in accordance with Article 8 of the Community’s Headquarters Agreement with the Government of Guyana.
11. GROUP HEALTH AND LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Subject to your acceptance by the Secretariat’s insurance carrier, Sagicor Life Inc., the Officer will be required to participate in the Secretariat’s group health, life and accident insurance schemes. With respect to the health insurance, the Officer will contribute fifty per cent (50%) of the premium. The life and accident insurance scheme is non-contributory.
12. SUPERANNUATION
An Officer appointed to this post will be required to participate in the Secretariat’s Defined Contribution Pension Plan and contribute 7 per cent of basic salary per month, while the Secretariat will contribute 13 percent of the Officer’s basic salary to the pension plan. Where the appointment is on secondment, the Secretariat will pay to the Officer’s substantive employer, over the period of secondment, a contribution not exceeding twenty-five per cent (25%) of the pensionable salary normally payable to the Officer by that employer so as to maintain the pensionable status of the Officer in the substantive employment.
13. APPLICATIONS
Interested candidates must create a job profile and apply for the position via the CARICOM Secretariat’s Employment Portal. The link can be accessed at – https://caricom.org/opportunities_category/caricom-secretariat-vacancies/.
14. The deadline for the submission of applications is 4 November 2022.