OECS Secretariat

ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES

VACANCY

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – INNOVATIVE MARKETING SYSTEMS

BACKGROUND:

OECS Export Development Unit (EDU), to be named the Competitive Business Unit (CBU) is seeking the services of an established professional outfit or suitably qualified individual to perform Business Development Consultancy services to cluster of regional business enterprises to enhance their capacity to engage in international business utilizing E-platforms. The OECS-EDU is a Unit in the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) of the OECS Secretariat established in 2001 to promote the competitiveness of OECS enterprises in the agribusiness, manufacturing and services sectors.

The Work Program of the Unit delivers assistance to business enterprises in three (3) focal areas:

• Management Enhancement and  Productivity
• Product Development and Quality Assurance
• Marketing

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

1. To enhance enterprise competitiveness and promote E-commerce to accelerate market presence in international markets.
2. To strengthen EDU client Monitoring and Evaluation systems’ capacity and to ensure improved delivery of Information services (such as Market Intelligence for business and other users.

The position of BDO – Innovative Marketing Systems is based at the EDU Head Office, Roseau Dominica. In this role the Consultant will work closely with the private sector in the Economic Union to promote ICT-related productivity enhancement that would lead to delivery of goods and services, internationally, assisted by E- based supply chain platforms/networks. The position entails working at the enterprise level across all the focal sectors of the EDU Work Program. These are agri-business, manufacturing, services (creative industries and tourism). It will also champion efforts to accelerate OECS enterprise competitiveness by application of innovative and IT solutions along their production processes.

 In addition, the position entails delivery of a program of support for ICT-related capacity building within the Unit and to manage the Unit’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) data bases. It is expected to undertake enhancement of the enterprise-related information services of the Unit. In particular, it will establish and operate a robust Market intelligence service as part of the Unit’s value offering to the private sector in the OECS Economic Union.

KEY TASKS:

• External Operations

1. Develop, design and deploy technological strategies, tools and customized IT solutions for OECS enterprises to enhance their competitiveness.
2. Lead efforts to facilitate sourcing and adaptation of technological solutions on behalf of OECS enterprises in clusters or at the enterprise level.
3.  Facilitate design and delivery of training and other professional services to enterprises aimed at enhancing their competitiveness through e-commerce business models.
4. Develop an e-marketing program for targeted OECS enterprises or industries and ensure and work closely with these to enhance their capacity for e-commerce.
5. Work closely with the private sector to pursue market-based initiatives in support of accelerating outbound trade in goods and services. Specifically, work to establish distribution points in key markets as part of e-trading arrangements under this assignment.
6. Promote collaborative business relationships across the OECS Economic Union utilizing IT tools and systems and encourage co-ordinated/harmonized approaches to delivery and utilization of technical support for regional business development.

• Internal Operations

1. Responsible for developing and strengthening the CBU’s capabilities in client Information Services, including Project Management, Market Intelligence, Library and other CBU data bases.
2. Responsible for the overall maintenance of the IT facilities of the Unit, including the CBU web pages on the Organization’s website and introduction of CBU- to- private-sector targeted social media interface, working in close collaboration with the IT Unit of the OECS Secretariat.
3. Responsible for managing, maintaining, securing and reporting on the client data base, Sector Manager
4. Work closely with the OECS IT Unit to ensure full integration of the Unit’s IT systems such as that for Information Management (Alexandria) and Project Monitoring (Sector Manager), into the Organization’s central Management Information System.
5. Conduct specific assignments related to EDU’s work program, as directed, and ensure training of staff to effective manipulation and operation of systems.

 OUTPUTS:      

At the end of this exercise it is envisaged that:

1. The targeted OECS enterprises will have enhanced capacity to register improved business performance trends and stronger market presence (either as individual entities or as part of business cluster arrangements); Also, OECS E-commerce -driven activity in international markets will be increased.
2. EDU/CBU business information services and its client monitoring and evaluation system will be fully operational and routinely applied in the work setting.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Technology with advanced level I.T. skills with post graduate qualification/ certification in related fields. Good knowledge of data base management, networking, web design and web marketing ability to manage software licences.  Ability to conduct IT Product assessments and source necessary equipment/software. Proven capacity of IT trouble shooting, operating systems administration.  At least three (3) years relevant work experience.

DURATION:

The intervention will be delivered over a two-year program, initially, with the individual (or team) located in the OECS Competitive Business Unit/EDU, Commonwealth of Dominica.

The position is available on a contractual basis for up to two (2) years in the first instance.  The compensation package will be tax free at the MPP-3 salary scale and will include housing and vehicle allowance.  Other benefits will include membership in the Organisation’s Group health and Life Insurance plan.  Reasonable relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Applications with resume and copies of academic qualifications including contact details of the current or most recent employer and that of two (2) references should be forwarded to:  The Human Resource Unit, Post of BDO, Innovative Marketing Systems, OECS Secretariat, Morne Fortune, P. O. Box 179, Castries, Saint Lucia and should reach her by 16 February 2013.

Applications can also be sent via e-mail to oesec@oecs.org.

Only applications under consideration will be acknowledged.