Head -Economic Development Unit

About the OECS

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean. Under the Treaty of Basseterre (RTB, 1981) and now The Revised RTB (2010), Member States agree to cooperate with each other and promote unity and solidarity, including participation by Protocol Members in an Economic Union. Read More...

Job Summary:

Under the general direction of the Director of Economic Affairs and Regional Integration (EARI), and in close collaboration with other Heads of Unit within the Economic Affairs and Regional Integration Division, the Head- Economic Development Unit (EDU) shall be responsible for the supervision and technical management of the unit staff, and work programme and budget.

The major elements of work are as follows:

1. OECS Development Policy and Strategy Formulation and Implementation. This will include continuous monitoring and review of the OECS Growth and Development Strategy at national and regional levels. The Head, EDTP will also play a lead role in refining and updating the Strategy to reflect changing development conditions in the OECS Member States, particularly within the context of the implementation of the OECS Economic Union. The incumbent will also provide direct support to the Commission’s Senior Management, particularly the Director of Economic Affairs and Regional Integration (EARI), in guiding the implementation process of the Strategy.
2. Specific Sector Policy and Strategy Development and Implementation. In the context of the above, this work element will address the specific sectors identified as priority and will provide for detailed sector-level policies and strategies to be considered and adopted by the Member States and by the OECS Commission, informed by appropriate economic analysis of development options at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels – see also (c) below. It will also deal with the implementation processes related to the agreed policies and strategies, particularly through the relevant organs of the Commission and other specialised agencies in the OECS and wider region. Particular attention will be paid to Trade, Tourism and Agriculture as lead economic drivers, but with support provided to policy and strategy formulation and implementation in other sectors of interest identified by the Commission and the Member States.
3. Macroeconomic Analysis of Development Issues. This work element will focus on following international and regional economic developments that will influence the policy choices and responses of OECS Member States, on a short as well as medium to long term basis, and their relationship to and impact on the above. High-quality analytical work and research on macroeconomic issues/policy and trade policy options of relevance to the development challenges and prospects for small island developing states will receive special focus.
4. Monitoring of Fiscal Management and development finance Issues in the Member States. This work element will require close collaboration with the ECCB and will focus mainly on the aspects of fiscal policy coordination outlined in the Revised Treaty of Basseterre Establishing the OECS Economic Union.
5. Technical and policy advice and guidance. Provide to Member States and the Commission technical advice and guidance on critical development related issues and lead on the conceptualization of new focus areas in order to ensure that the Unit continues to be at the forefront of knowledge and trends in the delivery of development support to the OECS member states.
6. Represent at regular structured interface forums and activities, and collaboration with Member States on the above issues, especially through involvement in and support to national processes of economic policy and strategy development and implementation as required.
7. Interface, collaboration and coordination with the OECS private sector on macroeconomic and sectoral development policy and strategy issues.
8. General and specific research on issues related to the work of the Unit and Commission and presentation and dissemination of findings and recommendations to internal and external audiences.
9. Contribute towards the advocacy and communication work of the Commission in relation to the dissemination of information on the objectives, purposes and results of economic development policy support to the OECS Member States
10. Design and preparation of projects and programmes and support mobilisation of resources to facilitate the implementation of development programmes and projects in the OECS member states.

Experience and Knowledge:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics PLUS a Masters / Graduate Degree, with a specialization in, Development Economics or Development Administration, Econometrics or another related discipline.
• At least seven years working experience in development planning, policy development or research environment
• Relevant experience working with key regional or multilateral development and agencies would be an asset.
• Strong Economic analysis / quantitative analysis and research skills
• Strong familiarity with the cultural and political context of the OECS region would be an asset.
• Proven capacity to work with collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills.
• Demonstrated ability of leading a team.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills and the aptitude to handle competing priorities with multiple audiences.
• Experience working in a complex, demanding environment is a plus.

Terms of Appointment

Job Location

The OECS Commission is headquartered in Castries, Saint Lucia. The position of Head–Economic Development Unit is open to nationals of OECS Member States and is stationed at the OECS Commission headquarters.

Benefits

The position is on a fixed-term establishment. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and exempt from income taxes. In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts allowances.

The deadline for all submissions is Monday 25th October 2021.

Only applications under consideration will be acknowledged.

Apply at: https://oecs.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=104