Coordinator, Regional Cooperation and Integration

Job Description

INTRODUCTION

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is seeking to recruit a Coordinator, Regional Cooperation and Integration for the Private Sector Division.  The successful candidate will be based at CDB’s Office located in St. Michael, Barbados.

THE DIVISION

The Private Sector Division (PSD), situated within the Office of the Vice President (Operations), is at the forefront of advancing private sector–led growth and competitiveness in the Caribbean. PSD originates and implements a portfolio of capital and technical assistance projects designed to strengthen enterprises, foster innovation, facilitate trade, and promote inclusive economic development.

A critical dimension of this mandate is Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI). Through RCI, PSD works to deepen economic ties, expand market opportunities, and promote collaboration across Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) – helping to create a more connected, competitive, and resilient Caribbean economy.

PSD’s strategy follows two mutually reinforcing tracks:

• Strengthening the MSME sector through tailored support mechanisms, intermediary and direct lending, and innovative partnerships; and
• Building a broader enabling ecosystem for private sector development across BMCs, including support for public–private partnerships (PPPs) and RCI initiatives.

THE ROLE

The Coordinator, Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI) provides operational leadership, coordination, and oversight of CDB’s RCI programming. Reporting to the Division Chief, Private Sector Division, the Coordinator ensures that the Bank’s RCI initiatives are: aligned with regional development priorities; strategically integrated into Bank operations; and designed to deliver measurable results.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Coordinator, RCI, will:

• Lead the formulation of strategy, policy, and technical documents to strengthen RCI among BMCs, ensuring alignment with CDB’s Strategic Plan, Gender Equality Policy, and Private Sector Development Strategy.

• Plan and manage the RCI work programme, allocate resources, and oversee delivery of flagship initiatives responsive to regional needs.

• Integrate cross-cutting priorities such as climate resilience, digitalisation, gender equity and youth empowerment into all RCI interventions.

• Prepare and manage programme budgets, processing schedules, and performance plans, ensuring timely achievement of objectives.

• Provide technical review, quality control, and guidance on project design, appraisal, implementation, and reporting.

• Support the preparation of policy papers, project proposals, and Board submissions.

• Lead innovation in developing new RCI-focused instruments, tools, and partnerships to respond to emerging opportunities.

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with governments, international development partners, private sector associations, and civil society.

• Mobilise resources and manage donor coordination, proposal development, and reporting.

• Represent CDB in regional and international fora, ensuring the Bank’s visibility and thought leadership in RCI.

• Supervise and mentor RCI staff, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture and supporting staff learning and development.

• Lead knowledge management activities, ensuring effective dissemination of lessons learned and best practices across CDB and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, policy expertise, and a track record of advancing regional development initiatives. The successful applicant must have:

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Governance, Regional Integration, Public Administration/Policy, International Trade/Affairs/Development, or another relevant discipline and at least seven (7) years’ experience in project cycle management of development projects, with specific exposure to regional cooperation and integration. An undergraduate degree with an additional two (2) years of relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Experience in budget planning and financial control processes.

The following will be considered assets:

• Proficiency in French or Dutch.
• Knowledge of trade finance instruments.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

The Coordinator, RCI, must demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and team management skills.

• Proven ability to build partnerships and mobilise resources.

• Sensitivity and adaptability in multicultural contexts.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.

• Ability to drive innovation and integrate cross-cutting themes into programme design and delivery.

• A  strong focus on results, high-level technical and representational skills, and the ability to foster partnerships that maximise the Bank’s impact in advancing regional integration.  Excellent representational and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at senior levels across governments, regional institutions, development partners, and the private sector.

• The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage performance in a multicultural environment.

• A sound understanding of the regional integration agenda, including its opportunities and challenges.

• Sound knowledge of cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, poverty and inequality reduction, governance, disaster risk management, and climate sustainability.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply cross-sectoral approaches in lending and non-lending operations.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Acting as a Champion for Change

Actively identifies problems and opportunities for change and implements solutions where appropriate. Maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; and supports people in their efforts to try new things.

Acting Decisively

Moves quickly to make decisions and commits to a clear course of action; comfortable making decisions based on partial information; willing to take risks in order to maintain momentum; shows a strong bias toward action.

Acting Strategically

Aligns day-to-day activities around broader organisational goals and objectives; prioritises resources based on the strategic objectives of the organisation; recognises and rewards people based on how their actions support the broader needs of the organisation.

Championing Customer Needs

Calls attention to issues that impact customer satisfaction; views situations from the perspective of customers; encourages people to think about customers when making decisions and develops and sustains productive customer relationships.

Communicating Effectively

Consistently communicates with clarity and thoroughness to optimise audience understanding. Communicates information in a clear, concise, and timely manner. Demonstrates effective speaking and presentation skills.

Delivering High Quality Work

Critically reviews work processes to ensure quality; addresses problems that could impact quality; makes sure project deliverables and services meet all requirements and expectations; does not make the same mistakes twice.

Displaying Technical Expertise

Keeps his/her technical skills current; effectively applies specialised knowledge and skills to perform work tasks; understands and masters the technical skills, knowledge, and tasks associated with his/her job; shares technical expertise with others.

Driving for Results

Bottom-line oriented and pushes self and others to achieve results. Keeps current on project status; makes sure people are aware of project status and what they need to do to keep things moving; redirects project resources and activities to overcome setbacks; elevates project concerns to senior levels of leadership when appropriate.