PROJECT OFFICER INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT (ICT4D) 11TH EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND (EDF) PROJECT



Closing Date: October 1, 2021

Type of Vacancy: /

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                above-mentioned position in the Caribbean Community Secretariat with assigned duty station in Guyana.

2.         FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

This professional position plays a major role in providing technical and coordinating support to the Secretariat in the pursuit of the objectives of the Community with respect to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programme under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) – “Strengthening the Framework for CARICOM Integration and Cooperation Processes Programme”.  The 11th EDF will be executed during the period (2020 -2024).  The timeframe for this post is approximately twenty-four (24) months. 

Under the supervision of the Deputy Programme Manager, Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), Directorate for Trade and Economic Integration (TEI), the incumbent contributes to the implementation of the Integrated Work Plan for the CARICOM Single ICT Space with particular focus on the 11th EDF ICT Projects which include a regional ICT Sector Audit/ digital development assessment, development of knowledge products(e.g. a dashboard/portal), the development and implementation of a Caribbean Digital Agenda Framework, Regional Digital Cooperation Framework and a Knowledge Management Framework. The position involves working closely with other 11th EDF programme staff and other officers in the Secretariat, regional officials and consultants specifically regarding the ICT initiatives and outputs. The position also provides support for mainstreaming of ICT4D within the Secretariat and through Organs of the Community (e.g., COTED ICT).

The job is deemed to be effectively and efficiently done when:

  • 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Project rules and requirements are followed/satisfied;
    • Technical consultations and other approved 11th EDF activities are regularly monitored and completed on time and within budget;
    • Timely and accurate advice, guidance and support related to the 11th EDF ICT4D project is provided;
    • Potential or actual risks (financial or otherwise) are identified;
    • Approved 11th EDF project funding is utilised in a timely manner;
    • Procedures[1] are established that support the ICT4D Programme; and
    • Member States are provided with technical assistance relating to the regional ICT agenda and the development of the CARICOM Single ICT space project objectives under the 11th EDF.

3.         QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates should possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Communication Technology, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or a related field from a recognized institution, plus three (3) years’ of relevant and equivalent level experience working in one or more of the following:

  • The Business Development Division of a major corporation or Government.
  • International or Regional organisation.
  • Non-Governmental Organisation.
  • Information Technology/Engineering/Telecommunications Company.
  • A project-based environment (e.g., The Project Execution Unit of a Government Organisation).

Additionally, candidates should possess specialised training and good working knowledge in:

  • ICT for Development (ICT4D) programmes and interventions and their role in socioeconomic development.
  • Policy development and research.
  • Strong project management skills: Project planning, budget management, monitoring and evaluation in donor/ international development partner (IDP)-funded projects.
  • Project proposal writing.
  • Interfacing with key stakeholders from a range of backgrounds and countries.
  • Web/Portal design, development and administration.

4.         DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Deputy Programme Manager the Project Officerwill be required to:

4.1       PROVIDE day-to-daytechnical support and project management guidance for the implementation of the CARICOM Single ICT Space project activities under the 11th EDF;

4.2       MONITOR project implementation and budget to ensure they are in keeping with European Union (EU) and CARICOM Secretariat guidelines and contractual arrangements; and PROVIDE timely advice on implementation challenges to facilitate speedy resolution;

4.3       DEVELOP/REFINE draft TORs in support of the implementation of the 11th EDF project;

4.4       PARTICIPATE in the process for selection of consultants as required and ENGAGE regularly with consultants on 11th EDF projects to ensure smooth execution;

4.5       INITIATE action and LIAISE with the ministries responsible for ICT4D, national, regional and international agencies, NGOs, and other relevant institutions to facilitate ownership and ENSURE involvement of their staff in the implementation and or monitoring of activities as relevant;

4.6       CONSULT with the relevant collaborating/implementing agencies of the wider 11th EDF ICT4D Programme, in particular the ICT Cluster, to ensure that the activities are carried out in a coordinated and complementary manner;

                 4.7       PROVIDE technical input for the development of programmatic interventions and training workshops and CONTRIBUTE to the development and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures of the ICT4D component of the 11th EDF Programme;

4.8       PREPARE and DISSEMINATE projectinformation, SUPPORT formative and summative evaluations; including the relevant documentation to facilitate the closure of this 11th EDF project as required;

4.9       PREPARE quarterly progress reports and briefs on the implementation of projects for the Deputy Programme Manager, ICT4D, for submission to the ICT Cluster, the COTED (ICT), the Project Steering Committee (PSC), and the 11th EDF Programme Coordination Unit; and

4.10     CONTRIBUTE to a positive image of the CARICOM Secretariat, in keeping with its core values.

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.         SETTLEMENT GRANT

On assumption of duty in Guyana, the officer shall be paid a settlement grant in respect of self, 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.

7.         RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT

Appointment may be on contract 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 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.

8.         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 dependent children.

9.         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.

10.       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 scheme, the Officer will contribute fifty per cent of the premium.  The life and accident insurance scheme is non-contributory.

11.       SUPERANNUATION

An officer on contract shall, subject to his/her services being satisfactory and having completed at least six (6) months of the contractual term of employment be eligible for the payment of a gratuity. The gratuity shall be at the rate of twenty per cent of the officer’s basic salary, calculated for each day of completed service and shall be payable at the end of the officer’s contractual period (including for this purpose any period of extension or approved leave).  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 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.

12.       APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates must create a job profile and apply for the position via the                  CARICOM Secretariat’s Recruitment Portal. The link can be accessed at – https://caricom.org/opportunities_category/caricom-secretariat-vacancies/

13.       The deadline for the submission of applications is 1 October 2021.

[1] Procedures refer to activity implementation measures under the 11th EDF ICT4D component and focus on areas such as reporting.

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