Post of Duty: Washington, DC
The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.
About this position:
Established in 1959, the Inter-American Development Bank (“IDB” or “Bank”) is the main source of financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, guarantees, policy advice and technical assistance to the public and private sectors of its borrowing countries. In 2016, IDB, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Canada established a co-financing facility called “The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility” (GN-2851), which is a continuation of the Compete Caribbean Program that funded over 100 private sector development projects over the period 2010-2016 in the Caribbean. These projects generated nearly 12,000 jobs, a 23% increase in exports (USD$37M) and a 41% increase in the revenue of participating firms and clusters (USD$153M), as well as an improvement in the business climate for some countries through policy or regulatory reforms. The purpose of the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) is to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth through greater competitiveness and innovation in the private sector of 13 Caribbean countries[1].
The Compete Caribbean Blue Economy Project is funding the project for the development of the Jamaica Conch Cluster (JCC). The project’s objective is to provide technical assistance to the JCC to conduct: (i) the required assessment for full Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fishery and Chain of Custody certification for the queen conch fishery; (ii) value-added product development, market research, product development, diversification, branding, packaging, and labelling (iii) policy and legislative review and development, and (iv) development and capacity building of the JCC. To this end the components under the project are as follows:
· Component 1 - Application for and obtain MSC certifications (Certification of Fishery)
· Component 2 - Increase total sales of the cluster by at least USD 15Mil by targeting the United States of America and Chinese markets with 2 new value-added products by 2024.
· Component 3 - Negotiate legislation/policy with MICAF and National Fisheries Division to get sign-off on individual transferable quotas amongst the sectors 13 players by 2026
· Component 4 - Capacity Development of Cluster
Context of the Project
The queen conch (Lobatus (=Strombus) gigas) fishery is one of the most important commercial fisheries in Jamaica providing direct employment to an estimated 2,000 persons (fisher folk and fish processors) and indirectly to about 7,000 persons. With the average family size of 5 persons, the multiplier impact of employment in the conch sector, though seasonal, is high.
Among the Jamaican fisheries, queen conch is unique, being the most profitable and sustainably managed. It is also the only fishery that is subject to an export levy and contributes directly to its management through revenues generated from the levy. The industrial conch fishers consist of 12 private firms representing approximately 650 employees of which 100 are permanent and 550 are temporary. Four (4) of the 12 industrial firms have partnered to establish the Jamaica Conch Cluster (JCC).
The Jamaica Conch Cluster, fully cognizant that their core business is predicated on a natural renewable resource that is vulnerable to climate change and other anthropological and natural impacts have developed a long-term sustainable business strategy to ensure the continued sustainability of the Jamaica queen conch fishery and by extension the viability of the livelihoods.
The Jamaica Conch Cluster (JCC) through the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) is seeking to contract (CCPF) is seeking technical assistance to address these identified gaps to stay the course towards their long-term business objectives.
Team’s mission:
The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) seeks a professional consultant with extensive experience and background in cluster development of MSME’s, providing capacity building, group dynamics and organizational/institutional strengthening. This individual will be charged with the building and capacitation of the Jamaica Conch Cluster (JCC) members broadening membership and establishing a cohesive and dynamic business cluster capable of effective representation of the sector and act as stewards of change.
You will work in the Competitiveness, Technology and Innovation Division, part of the Institutions for Development Department (IFD/CTI).
What you’ll do:
The Cluster Development Consultant is expected to perform the following:
· Define the approach and design the step-by-step organization and capacity building process of the Conch Cluster
· Conduct a Cluster Assessment to determine readiness and gaps that may impede cluster attainment, of CCOJ to transition into its role of a Cluster. Build on strengths, support the successful development of action plans.
· Determine the critical matters that need to be addressed which ties into the development of a holistic sustainability plan that goes beyond the life of the project.
· Facilitate the identification of the wider cluster members and engage in a networking process whilst developing partnerships.
· Create a universal understanding of the objectives and purpose of the Conch Cluster among the cluster members.
· Seek to solidify partnerships, where necessary, by facilitating Memoranda of Understanding.
· Develop key training workshops, funded under the project, to increase the capacity of cluster members.
· Identify subject-matter specialists to conduct specific training for the cluster members.
· Facilitate the development of a Strategic Action plan and Sustainability framework and that includes specific plans for growth and longevity of the cluster.
· Facilitate round-table discussions on industry issues of mutual interest towards increased understanding and action.
· Organize workshops, meetings, seminars for the capacity building programme
· Assist in increasing public awareness through engagement.
· Facilitate awareness and methods of increasing resources to the cluster.
· Facilitate the start-up of the formal registration of the Conch Cluster with either the Companies Office of Jamaica or the Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies.
· Liaise with other Project Component Leaders to ensure that the linkages within the conch industry and its cluster members are understood and maintained.
Deliverables and Payments Timeline:
The following deliverables are expected from this contract:
Payment (% total)
Deliverables Completed
Deadline from signature of contract
15
Deliverable 1 – Acceptance of Work Plan, Inception Report and Training Outline
October, 2021
25
Deliverable 2 – Submission and acceptance of Interim Report outlining objectives and purpose of the Jamaica Conch Cluster among the cluster members and solidify partnerships with wider sector.
Development and signing of a Memoranda of Understanding solidifying partnerships within the Sector.
January, 2024
15
Deliverable 3 – Completion of Registration of the Jamaica Conch Cluster with either the Companies Office of Jamaica or the Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies.
February, 2024
20
Deliverable 4 - Submission and acceptance of Strategic Action Plan and Sustainability Framework
Report of Training delivered to Jamaica Conch Cluster
March, 2024
25
Deliverable 5 - Submission of Final Report including findings and recommendations.
April, 2024
[1] Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago.
What you'll need
· Education: A Master’s Degree in Sociology, Project management or Business Administration/Management, or related Social Science.