Opportunities

Relevant Background

With support from the European Union (EU), under its Regional Private Sector Development Programme (III), the Caribbean Export Development Agency is initiating efforts to support the digital transformation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) leads private sector development programmes across the Caribbean through the provision of innovative, targeted initiatives designed to increase Caribbean business growth, sustainability and job creation.

In recent years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation has emerged as a critical pillar for business resilience and growth worldwide. The pandemic underscored the importance of digital technology in maintaining business continuity, as businesses with digital capabilities were better able to pivot to online platforms, remote work, and digital sales channels. In fact, an October 2020 survey of business executives, conducted by McKinsey & Company, found that just a few months into the pandemic, there was a marked acceleration in the projection of digital technology adoption. The average share of customer interactions that became digital increased by over 20% in 2020 with North America seeing an accelerated adoption rate of 65% compared to 41% in the previous year. This trend was echoed with similar results in the European and Asia-Pacific regions as well (53% and 55% respectively). This same survey noted that the pandemic saw a shift in the offerings of products characterised by marked increase in the average share of products and/or services that became partially or fully digitized (55 percent in 2020 as compared to 35 percent in 2019). Again, North America led the way with 60 percent followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe with 54 percent and 50 percent, respectively.

Proactive responses to the pandemic led to global changes in areas such as increased use of advanced technologies in operations and business decision-making, with an acceleration factor of 25. The survey noted that companies expected it to take well over 600 days to respond to these changes but responded in 25 days to implement the necessary changes. The area of business that saw the highest acceleration factor was around increased remote working and/or collaboration. Globally, companies expected it to take 454 days to adjust and implement changes, however, the study revealed companies took just 10.5 days, an acceleration factor of 43.

Other areas saw significant acceleration in implementing digital technology measures to adjust to pandemic such as increased migration of assets to the cloud and increased spending on data security, both of which saw an acceleration factor of 24 and 19 respectively.

Whilst globally the pandemic has shown evidence that points to an uptake in digital inclusion, adoption and overall transformation, the Caribbean has lagged behind. ECLAC’s report, Digital inclusion in Caribbean digital transformation frameworks and initiatives: A Review, concluded that digital inclusion was not yet a priority in the eleven Caribbean states of interest. It also noted that few countries have digital transformation frameworks in place. In fact, the research highlights that data on digital transformation in the Caribbean is severely lacking such that the true extent of Caribbean digital transformation is unclear at best. What has been noted however, is that where digital transformation has taken place in the Caribbean, it has done so at the public administration level with some Caribbean states putting emphasis on e-government. One of its recommendations, upskilling Caribbean people in ICT, noted that training is paramount to the success of any digital transformation initiative.

With the noticeable global shift favoring digital transformation and the Caribbean’s inability to be early adopters of digital transformation tools and processes, there needs to be a concerted effort to build the knowledge capacity and implementation of digital transformation in the Caribbean private sector where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the economy. Even well before the pandemic, early digitization was touted to have significant impact on productivity and job creation in the Latin American and Caribbean region. According to Strategy&, a PwC partner, digitization was estimated to provide an additional $USD27 billion to the LAC economy and create over 600,000 new jobs in 2011. 

There has been significant acceleration in the interest to adopt digital technologies in the Latin American and Caribbean region, prompting governments to expand internet access and promote technology-driven business models for MSMEs and consumers, thereby fueling rapid growth in e-commerce.

The dynamics of the e-commerce landscape globally is also itself, changing. There is an increase proportion of online shoppers who are making purchases through various social media platforms. A 2024 DHL report noted that out of 12,000 online shoppers across 24 countries, 37% of those survey indicated they purchased from Facebook, 28% from Instagram and 18% form TikTok. It is estimated in 2025 the social commerce market will reach approximately two trillion US dollars or approximately 28% of global online retail sales. The same report noted that online marketplaces such as Amazon, Shein, Temu & Ebay dominate market share, however, 52% of the those surveyed indicated that they do still use retailer’s app to make purchases. This suggests that there is enough incentive for retailers to develop and curate their own custom apps.

In addition to which, e-commerce payment methods are being redefined. Across major markets in the Americans, Asia Pacific and European regions, digital wallets are emerging as a growing staple of payment according to a 2021 Global E-Commerce Trends report by J.P. Morgan. In Brazil for example, cards represent the most popular payment method, however, digital wallets were expected to raise from 11% to 14% in 2024.

Similarly, digital wallets are the second most popular payment method behind cards and gaining popularity across Canada (19% raising to 23% in 2024), Mexico (21%) and the United States (26%).

In the Asia Pacific region, digital wallets are the third most popular payment method with 17% market share and across Europe digital wallets are very popular (Italy – 34 %, Portugal – 14%). Based on the report, PaylPal is the most widely used digital wallet for e-commerce purchases.

While these point to an ever-growing e-ecommerce ecosystem, there are many challenges that affect the e-commerce opportunities for MSMEs.

According to the World Economic Forum, MSMEs face the following logistics challenges such as uncompetitive pricing, lack of or unreliability of traceability, complex custom duties and tax calculations, lack of a cost-effective return policy and lack of last-mile delivery services.

In response to evolving global trends, the Agency has repositioned the Virtual E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (VEAP) to deliver a more streamlined, practical, and high-impact capacity-building initiative for Caribbean MSMEs.

E-commerce offers Caribbean businesses a powerful avenue for expanding beyond local markets. However, challenges such as high shipping costs, limited payment processing options, and low digital adoption have slowed regional participation in global digital trade.

This programme tackles these barriers head-on by providing a structured, results-oriented roadmap that supports SMEs through every stage of their e-commerce journey—from establishing online sales platforms and integrating payment solutions to managing logistics and fulfilling international orders. This initiative empowers Caribbean SMEs to seamlessly sell and ship products to customers worldwide.

Ultimately, the VEAP aims to drive a significant increase in e-commerce-driven exports from Caribbean SMEs, fostering a more digitally competitive private sector and positioning the region as a key player in the global digital economy.

Contracting Authority

The contracting authority for this assignment is the Caribbean Export Development Agency (hereinafter Caribbean Export/the Agency).

Beneficiary Countries

The primary beneficiaries under this project are the private sectors of CARIFORUM Member States, namely: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.

Overall Objectives

The overall objective of this initiative is to increase the number of Caribbean SMEs participating meaningfully in e-commerce by equipping them with the tools, training, and strategic guidance needed to boost online sales revenue by the end of their participation. In doing so, the programme will directly contribute to increased export capacity, enhanced digital competitiveness, and a more resilient and future-ready private sector. It will also strengthen institutional capacity by training BSOs to provide sustained support to MSMEs at the national level—ensuring long-term impact and regional scalability of the VEAP model.

This expansion comes at a critical time when the global e-commerce landscape is evolving rapidly. From the rise of social commerce and mobile shopping to the growing use of digital wallets and alternative payment solutions, consumer behaviors and market expectations are shifting. Meanwhile, MSMEs in the Caribbean continue to face structural barriers including high shipping costs, lack of access to digital payment options, and low adoption of digital tools. By addressing these barriers through a structured five-component roadmap—from e-commerce setup to scaling and international growth, VEAP will bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation. It will ensure Caribbean SMEs are not only digitally equipped, but commercially empowered to compete and thrive in the global digital economy.

Specific Objectives and Scope of Work

The specific objectives of the Consultancy are:

• Lead the delivery of capacity-building sessions and expert-led content throughout the duration of the programme. The consultant will facilitate a series of interactive webinars covering key thematic areas such as website functionality, digital marketing, fulfillment logistics, shipping, customer service, and scaling. These sessions must be supported by actionable assignments that encourage hands-on learning and practical implementation. Deliver targeted, practical training and mentorship through the Caribbean Digital Transformation Masterclass and access to the Agency’s CDTI platform will enhance participants’ skills in digital tools, platforms, and strategic frameworks for digital transformation.
• Provide one-on-one coaching and technical support to participating MSMEs and BSOs. The consultant will offer personalized guidance to help firms set up or improve their e-commerce platforms, integrate digital payment solutions, adopt inventory management systems, and develop pricing and digital sales strategies. The consultant will also provide troubleshooting support for implementation challenges.
• Support the finalization and contextualization of the VEAP training curriculum. This involves ensuring that all content is regionally relevant and practically applicable to the realities of Caribbean MSMEs and BSOs. The consultant will align the curriculum with the five core components of the e-commerce roadmap and define clear learning outcomes and delivery schedules to guide implementation
• Develop and deliver a suite of practical tools and templates that participants can use to operationalize their e-commerce strategies. These resources may include toolkits for marketing plans, logistics workflows, analytics dashboards, pricing models, and customer service protocols. The consultant must ensure that these materials are user-friendly and easily adaptable for different sectors and markets.
• Monitor and evaluate participant progress using key performance indicators. The consultant will develop a method to track metrics such as website traffic increases, digital sales growth, payment system integration, and export-readiness improvements. Based on this data, the consultant will provide strategic feedback to participants and recommendations to the programme team for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to institutional learning by documenting success stories, best practices, and lessons learned throughout the programme. The consultant will prepare a comprehensive final report outlining the overall impact of the consultancy, challenges encountered, and recommendations for future iterations of the VEAP. This will support the long-term sustainability and regional scalability of the programme.

The scope of works for this consultancy are:

• Programme Design and Content Development (Refinement & Customization): The consultant will be responsible for reviewing and refining the existing VEAP e-commerce roadmap across its core components: Website Development & E-Commerce Functionality; Digital Marketing & Customer Acquisition, Pricing & Marketing Strategy; Fulfilment, Logistics & Inventory Management; Shipping, Customer, Delivery & Customer Service; and Analyze, Refine, Scale & Grow. This involves developing comprehensive, practice-oriented learning materials, tools, and resources for each component, specifically tailored for Caribbean businesses. A key aspect of this will be ensuring that the content directly addresses identified barriers such as difficulty in accessing merchant accounts, lack of international payment options, high shipping costs, and low digital adoption. Furthermore, the consultant must incorporate evolving global e-commerce trends, including the increasing proportion of online shoppers using social media platforms, the dominance of online marketplaces, and the growing prevalence of digital wallets as a payment method. To support practical implementation, the consultant will also develop targeted post-webinar activities for participants each week across different components, along with clear tracking and progress monitoring mechanisms.
• Participant Recruitment and Onboarding: The consultant will establish clear eligibility criteria for participating firms, ensuring they are export-ready, have an existing website, possess funds to develop their website, have an existing customer base, and are a registered legal entity in a CARIFORUM state.
• Programme Delivery and Facilitation: The consultant will manage the full online delivery of the VEAP, ensuring accessible and efficient content dissemination. The cohort will receive expert-led webinars lasting between 90 and 120 minutes, covering all five programme components. The consultant will facilitate structured weekly webinars, ensuring each session is engaging and informative, focusing on critical elements for building a comprehensive e-commerce business model. Throughout the 12-month learning journey, the consultant will provide expert coaching and practical experience to all participants, both firms and BSOs. A crucial aspect of this will be working closely with each participant to support the development and implementation of their individual strategies, aligning with each component of the E-Commerce Roadmap Framework. Additionally, the programme aims to build institutional capacity by training BSOs to provide ongoing national-level support to MSMEs, a task the consultant will ensure is adequately addressed
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: The consultant will implement a robust system for tracking participant progress on post-webinar activities and their overall engagement in the programme. This includes monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge the programme’s success.

Purpose of Consultancy

The Virtual E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (VEAP) aims to increase the number of Caribbean Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in impactful e-commerce and enhance their capacity to implement effective online sales strategies. The consultancy will be responsible for refining the programme’s content, recruiting and onboarding participants, delivering all online training and coaching, and monitoring the achievement of key objectives. By the end of participation, the VEAP aims to drive e-commerce-led exports from Caribbean SMEs. Ultimately, the consultancy will empower Caribbean SMEs to leverage digital trade as a driver of business growth and export expansion, positioning the region as a key player in the global digital economy.

Deliverables

The consulting firm will be responsible for the delivery of the following:

Deliverable 1: Inception Report, review e-commerce roadmap framework and draft work plan within 2 weeks of contract signing

Deliverable 2:

1. Consultant to provide a course outline and training materials for, but not limited to, the following based on e-commerce roadmap framework review:
   • Website Development & E-Commerce Functionality
   • Digital Marketing & Customer Acquisition
   • Fulfilment, Logistics & Inventory Management
   • Shipping, Customer, Delivery & Customer Service
   • Analyze, Refine, Scale & Grow
2. Develop programme structure
3. Develop all training materials, inclusive of post-webinar tasks.
4. Develop implementation roadmap template
5. Develop monitoring and evaluation framework

Deliverable 3: Programme Delivery and Facilitation. This entails, but is not limited to the following:

1. Expert-led webinars delivered weekly, covering all programme components.
2. Facilitator guides and session plans for all webinars
3. Templates and tools for participants to develop their e-commerce strategies, pricing models, inventory management plans, digital communication plans, and market entry strategies.
4. Execute and track post-webinar activities with clear instructions
5. Completion of participant feedback forms.

Deliverable 4: Submission of Post-VEAP Analysis Report to include, but not limited to the following:

1. Final programme evaluation report, including an assessment of the overall impact and effectiveness of the VEAP against its objectives, data on the boost in online sales revenue, and recommendations for future phases or similar initiatives.
2. Presentation of analysis.

Every deliverable must be presented to and reviewed by the Caribbean Export team, and recommendations made need to be addressed to the satisfaction of the parties before payment of the deliverable.

Contract Duration

Twelve months, with payment based on deliverables.

Location

Remote

Submission

To apply, please download the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation:

• Technical Proposal (inclusive of a list of references for project undertaken of a similar nature)
• Financial Proposal
• Applicant Declaration Form

Applicants should submit documents to Jonathan Seecharan, Innovation and Digital Business Officer at jseecharan@carib-export.com, copied to Wayne Elliott, Manager – Technical Programmes, at welliott@carib-export.com.

Country: The Bahamas, Barbados, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Trinidad & Tobago
Project Name: Caribbean Green Energy Adoption and Energy Efficiency Toolkit for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME); and Promotion of Just Energy Transition
Sector: Green Energy
GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE
Loan No. /Fiduciary Fund/TC No. /Grant No. RG-T4402
Project No – ATN/OC-20552-RG

The Caribbean Export Development Agency has received financing in the amount equivalent to US$817,212.00 from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and it intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, works, related services and consulting services to be procured under the project Caribbean Green Energy Adoption and Energy Efficiency Toolkit for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME); and Promotion of Just Energy Transition. The project will be jointly financed by the Caribbean Export Development Agency, contributing US$151,333.33; ExporTT from Trinidad and Tobago, contributing US$10,000; Export Barbados from Barbados, contributing US$10,000; the Center for Exports and Investment of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana), contributing US$10,878.67; and the Center for Facilitation of Investments (CFI-Haiti) from Haiti, contributing US$10,000. Bidding will be governed by the Inter-American Development Bank’s eligibility rules and procedures.

The main objectives of this project are to support Caribbean MSMEs in adopting sustainable energy practices and to facilitate a just energy transition in the region. Specifically, the project aims to develop and implement an online energy audit tool that will enable businesses to enhance energy efficiency, adopt cleaner production methods, and adhere to voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), all of which are geared toward improving competitiveness and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To achieve these goals, the project will procure various goods, works, and services, including the development of an interactive energy audit platform for MSMEs, training materials on energy management and sustainability, and consultancy services for tool design, survey execution, and course content creation. Additionally, the project will involve a marketing campaign to encourage MSME participation, the establishment of a Project Management Unit (PMU) to coordinate activities, and resources for conducting external audits and evaluations to monitor project outcomes.

Procurement processes of contracts financed by the Inter-American Development Bank will be conducted in accordance with the Policies for Procurement of Goods and Works financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2349-15 and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies. Consulting services will be selected and contracted in accordance with the Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350-15.

Specific procurement notices for contracts to be bid under the Inter-American Development Bank’s international competitive bidding (ICB) procedures, will be published as they become available. For consulting services expected to cost an amount equivalent to US $200.000 or more, a request for expressions of interest contracts will be advertised in UN Development Business1 and Inter-American Development Bank’s Web Site.

Interested eligible bidders and consultants who wish to be included on the mailing list to receive invitations to prequalify/bid under ICB procedures, and interested consultants who wish to receive a copy of advertisement requesting expressions of interest for consultancy contracts, or those requiring additional information, should contact the address below:

DEADLINE EXTENDED: JUNE 27th 2025, 11:59pm AST

Do you have a bold business with big impact?

Here’s your chance to take the stage, pitch your company, receive feedback from investors, and compete for prizes at one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious investment events!

The Caribbean Export Development Agency is inviting 20 dynamic MSMEs from across CARIFORUM to apply for the CIF 2025 Pitch Competition — a high-energy, high-stakes live pitch event spotlighting the region’s most promising businesses.

Pitch Live at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2025

Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica
When July 31, 2025

Why Apply?

Finalists will:
✅ Pitch live to a panel of regional and international investors
✅ Gain high-profile exposure at CIF 2025
✅ Receive expert feedback to strengthen their business
✅ Compete for prizes to fuel their next phase of growth
✅ Build valuable investor and peer networks

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for growth-ready MSMEs who are:

• Registered in a CARIFORUM member state
• Operating for at least one year but not more than ten
• Generating revenue or have a strong, viable business model with a minimal viable product in the market
• Activity pursuing investment capital less than US$1M
• Operate within one of the following focus areas:
  • Digital Business (e.g. SaaS, AI, platforms)
  • AgriTech (e.g. smart farming, food tech)
  • Green Transition (e.g. renewables, eco-innovation)
  • Trade & Logistics (e.g. supply chain innovation, export tech)
• Ready to deliver a compelling pitch on a big stage
• Founders prepared to underwrite their costs (flight, transport and accommodation) to participate in Montego Bay. Caribbean Export will provide a complimentary access pass to participate in CIF 2025.

What’s in It for You?

This is not a training programme—it’s your moment to showcase your business, tell your story, and win real support. Whether you’re seeking visibility, validation, or cash to scale, the CIF 2025 Pitch Competition is your platform.

• DAY 1 (July 29th 2025) – Review and fine tuning of company pitch deck, investor feedback
• DAY 2 (July 30th 2025) – Pitch Competition Shortlisting, Pitch Practice
• DAY 3 (July 31st 2025) – Pitch Day

Apply Now

Download the project brief below, complete and submit it for consideration along with a project pitch deck. Email your submissions to: Jonathan Seecharan- jseecharan@carib-export.com, copied to technicalprogrammes@carib-export.com.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM AST on : June 27, 2025.

NB: ALL submissions must contain a link to a video (not longer than 3-minutes explaining the Founder’s motivation for seeking investment funding)

The Caribbean Export Development Agency invites applications for a 3-month internship designed to provide hands-on experience supporting donor-funded projects that are transforming the Caribbean private sector through digital innovation.

Scope of Internship

The selected intern will support several high-impact initiatives, including:

• Developing and brainstorming digital transformation project ideas
• Conducting research to support project proposals
• Organizing and maintaining digital documentation
• Engaging with donors, government agencies, and private sector partners
• Assisting in event planning and logistics for webinars, workshops, and CIF 2025
• Supporting data collection, analysis, and project monitoring
• Playing a key role in executing the Investment Sprint at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2025, the region’s leading investment event

The intern will work closely with the Innovation & Digital Business Officer and participate in regular team meetings with direct mentorship to ensure growth and learning.

Who Should Apply?

Students enrolled in degree programs such as Business Management, Economics, Digital Transformation, Innovation, Information Technology, International Trade/Business, or Project Management are encouraged to apply.

Submission Details

Submit your CV, motivation letter, and academic qualifications to:
Jonathan Seecharan – jseecharan@carib-export.com
CC: Veronica Henry – vhenry@carib-export.com

The deadline to apply is Friday, 20 June 2025 at 11:59 PM AST

SUMMARY OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES REQUIRED

The Programme Officer will provide consultancy services to the Agency, including in the implementation of a Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Project entitled ‘Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade (GRIT). The role will operate within the Technical Programme Unit of the Agency, and will coordinate and implement all programme activities, including planning and coordinating programme-related interventions, administrative, as well as special events as applicable.

KEY SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED/DELIVERABLES

Under the overall supervision of the Manager Technical Programmes, the Consultant must undertake, but not be limited to the following activities:

• Coordinate all programme related activities under the GRIT project.
• Develop detailed annual work and budget plans based on approved overall work plan.
• Coordinate and support the development and timely submission of work plans and budgets.
• Ensure timely and daily management of the project and implementation of all activities in accordance with the rules and regulation of GAC.
• Undertake gender analysis to effectively mainstream gender into the design and formulation of the project.
• Provide recommendations to mainstream gender considerations across the work of Caribbean Export and other activities/projects that the Agency is implementing.
• Lead in drafting TORs and recruiting consultants/contractors to conduct work on specific activities and objectives as required by the work programme.
• Guide consultants/contractors to ensure that their work is conducted in a timely manner and meets the required deliverables and quality standards.
• Review all deliverables and reports of contracted consultants/partners before submitting to the donor to ensure their quality.
• Lead engagement and communication with beneficiaries to ensure they have the necessary information to participate in and benefit from specific activities and to ensure performance milestones are achieved as required.
• Draft the development of timely project/programme reports to donor agency.
• Prepare timely submissions to report on overall project progress and results to Caribbean Export.
• Assist with the execution, monitoring and evaluation activities to be carried out by Caribbean Export.
• Monitor project funds and assist the Finance team in preparing the necessary documentation to donor Agency.
• Lead and undertake necessary stakeholder engagement in the implementation of the project.
• Coordinate training workshops, tradeshows and missions, B2B events where applicable.
• Conduct research and synthesize information relevant to the Agency’s overall work programme.
• Support the coordination efforts to implement a communications plan (designed in consultation with the Lead Partnerships, Advocacy and Reporting) to keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the project.
• Any other activities that may be assigned by the Manager – Technical Programmes or designate.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience in entrepreneurship, business development, export and investment promotion, and trade development, with a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by women-led businesses in these areas.
• Formal training in gender analysis and gender planning and demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects and programmes, especially in trade and private sector development.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of private sector needs and constraints of the CARIFORUM region, including an understanding of the gender context in CARIFORUM countries.
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions and international or non-governmental organizations supporting development work in trade and private sector development, or similar area, with a gender lens.
• Familiarity with gender analysis tools and methodologies in trade and private sector development.
• Knowledge of the economic and social development issues in the Caribbean.
• Demonstrated experience in project cycle management, project administration and procurement.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of French will be an asset.

EDUCATION

• Postgraduate Degree in any of the following areas: Social or Natural Science, or relevant discipline plus 5 years working in a development organisation or donor funded environment.
• Specialisation in Gender and Gender Analysis or mainstreaming or 5 years of demonstrated experience undertaking similar assessments is required.
• Specialisation or demonstrated experience in Project Management would be an asset.

CONSULTANCY PERIOD

This Consultancy period will be one year (1) year from 1 May 2025, eligible for renewal based on performance and/or Agency needs.

Applicants must be legally authorized to live and work in Barbados. The Agency will not provide visa sponsorship or cover relocation expenses. The selected candidate will be required to work on-site at the Head Office in Barbados.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Interested parties are to submit their CV, Cover Letter, and supporting Qualifying Certificates to the Human Resources Department at hr@carib-export.com by Sunday 13th April 2025 11:59 pm.

Download the full terms of reference.

Caribbean Export Development Agency with support from the European Union Regional Private Sector Development Programme III invites you to participate in an exclusive programme designed to help Caribbean food and beverage companies meet European Union market standards and certification requirements.

Programme Duration

This program, running from April to September 2025, will provide your business with the essential knowledge and tools to navigate these requirements effectively.

Programme Benefits

Two Webinars – Gain insights into prevailing EU standards, compliance requirements and the most relevant information sources.

• Webinar 1: EU Market Entry: Understanding the EU food safety, quality, packaging and labelling standards and  certifications
  • Date: Apr 15, 2025 11:00 AM La Paz
• Webinar 2: EU Market Entry: Understanding the sustainability standards and certifications
  • Date: Apr 29, 2025 11:00 AM La Paz 

Two Days of On-Site Training – Learn hands-on how to navigate the compliance requirements, and develop practical strategies through action learning and sharing of best practices.

Exclusive Audit & On-Site Advice – A selection of companies will receive tailored support to assess their compliance status and prepare for certification.

Who Should Apply?
This programme is tailored for processed food and beverage producers in the Caribbean seeking to strengthen their competitiveness in the European market.

How to Apply?

Interested parties are required to complete the online EOI using the link below by April 30th 2025.

Registration Link: EOI – EU Standards and Certification Programme

Relevant Background

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica, the European Union, and the CARICOM Secretariat will be hosting the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in Montego Bay, Jamaica in July 2025.

The hosting of the Forum will serve to:

• Generate investment into priority sectors in the Caribbean
• Build partnerships with key business entities, that can be sustained over time
• Promote the Caribbean as a place for investment
• Showcase opportunities/areas for investment
• Showcase successful investment in the Caribbean
• Engage potential investors and financing institutions regarding their interest and requirements for investing in the opportunities
• Pitch specific ventures to specific investors
• Increase the Caribbean’s insertion into the global business community through the creation of links with journals, newsletters, key influencers and networks
• Work towards attaining the sustainable development goals focused on no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, life on land and partnerships

The focus for this event will be placed on presenting bankable investment opportunities in priority sectors which will include sustainable agriculture, green economy transition and the digitalization of business.

To support the effective implementation of this event an experienced marketing and communications agency is required to support the production of the Caribbean Investment Forum – Jamaica.

Objective

The overall objective of the Consultancy is to promote the Caribbean Investment Forum by raising the profile of the event in the international market through effective marketing and public relations.

SCOPE OF WORK

Lead the development and implementation of an integrated communications plan that includes but is not limited to the following:

• Develop the creative look for CIF2025 using existing styling.
• Design and develop promotional materials e.g. social media content (e-flyers, web banners, digital graphics), sponsorship deck, info sheets, project documents etc., sourcing imagery as needed
• Develop a monthly content calendar that include dissemination of 3 pieces of content per week including, social media copy, starting April 21,2025.
• Develop and implement an email marketing plan.
• Communications activities such as writing media releases and articles for circulation and placement with international and local news outlets, investment industry media outlets or niche groups that may have an interest in the Caribbean Investment Forum.
• Prepare media invites to both local and regional media and work towards confirming their coverage/attendance at the event.
• Secure guest appearances with relevant media outlets leading up to the event.
• Develop artwork for event signage and materials e.g., physical and digital banners as necessary for the venue and in market advertising; event agenda and the event app.
• Produce the official 2025 CIF promotional video.

Required Documentation

The Applicant must submit a technical and detailed financial proposal together with the completed Applicant Declaration Form to Deidre Brathwaite dbrathwaite[at]carib-export.com and copied to Shari Pollard spollard[at]carib-export.com no later than 5:00 pm AST on April 4, 2025.

Download the Terms of Reference below.

This has been Extended to 4 April 2025

Summary

The Finance Officer – EU-LAC Programmes is responsible for providing financial, administrative, and operational support for the effective delivery of the EU-LAC Social Accelerator and the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that the financial management, accounting processes, and administrative procedures for both programmes are executed in compliance with Caribbean Export’s internal policies and the requirements of the relevant programme donors.

The Finance Officer will support the day-to-day financial operations of both programmes, including budget monitoring, financial reporting, procurement support, and expenditure tracking, ensuring alignment with approved work plans and donor guidelines. The role will also assist with the preparation of financial reports, support audit processes, and maintain accurate financial records.

Working closely with the technical team, operations staff, and external stakeholders, the Finance Officer will contribute to the smooth financial and administrative management of Caribbean Export’s programmes, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in all financial transactions.

Responsibilities/Deliverables:

Financial Management and Reporting

• Provide financial administration for the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, and other programmes implemented by Caribbean Export, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and the Agency’s internal financial procedures.
• Monitor programme budgets, track expenditure, and provide regular financial updates to programme managers and relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports for internal use, consortium partners, and donors.
• Maintain comprehensive financial records for both programmes, ensuring documentation is complete, up to date, and ready for audit.
• Support the preparation of periodic expenditure reports to track progress in the implementation rate and available budget lines.
• Draft budget forecasts and financial projections to facilitate effective programme implementation.
• Process payments, including disbursements to beneficiaries, suppliers, and service providers, ensuring all transactions are properly documented and recorded.
• Support account reconciliation processes and manage accounts payable and receivable linked to programme activities.

Procurement and Administrative Support

• Assist in the procurement of goods and services for programme activities, ensuring full compliance with procurement guidelines.
• Monitor contracts with suppliers, consultants, and service providers to ensure proper financial administration and timely payments.
• Provide administrative support for travel arrangements, meeting logistics, and event coordination related to programme delivery and tasks in the Agency’s Subregional Office.
• Ensure proper archiving and management of financial and contractual documentation in line with Caribbean Export’s policies and donor processes.

Audit and Compliance

• Prepare supporting documentation for internal and external audits of both programmes.
• Assist in responding to audit queries and the implementation of any audit recommendations.
• Ensure that financial procedures and controls comply with donor requirements, internal policies, and recognised best practices.

Collaboration and Communication

• Coordinate with the technical teams of both programmes to align financial management with programme activities and timelines.
• Provide financial guidance to programme staff, partners, and grantees to ensure understanding of financial procedures and donor compliance requirements.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and presentations concerning the financial performance of the programmes.

Other Duties

• Provide support to other finance and operational functions of the Agency as required.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Manager – Operations and the Deputy Executive Director.

Education/Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A professional accounting qualification (such as ACCA, CPA, CMA) is highly desirable or active progress towards certification.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in financial management, accounting, or a related field, preferably within donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience supporting donor-funded projects with multi-stakeholder involvement, and management of EU funded projects.
• Experience working with financial and ERP software for reporting and office management.
• Experience working in office management operations as well as financial support.
• Working knowledge of results-based management (RBM) principles and their application to financial monitoring and reporting.

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARIFORUM nationals. Applicants must be legally authorized to live and work in the Dominican Republic. The Agency will not provide visa sponsorship or cover relocation expenses.

The selected candidate will be required to work in the Sub-Regional Office from Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Submission

To apply, please download the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation:

• Updated CV
• Cover Letter outlining suitability for the Role

Interested applicants should submit documents to hr@carib-export.com by Friday, April 04, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This has been Extended to 4 April 2025

Summary

The Technical Officer – EU-LAC Social and Digital Innovation is responsible for supporting the implementation of social and digital innovation programmes that promote cross-regional partnerships between the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean (EU-LAC), as well as other relevant initiatives under Caribbean Export’s portfolio. The role focuses on advancing social innovation, digital transformation, and inclusive economic development in the Caribbean. The Officer plays a critical operational role in ensuring the timely and effective delivery of EU-LAC programmes in which Caribbean Export is an implementing partner, with responsibilities covering the coordination of national-level interventions, management of regional activities, and support to project stakeholders.

Under the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, the Officer is responsible for driving the implementation of Caribbean Export’s work plan, including establishing Social Innovation Labs, coordinating capacity-building activities, and facilitating access to finance for social enterprises. Simultaneously, the Officer supports the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator by fostering partnerships between corporates and startups, building and maintaining a pipeline of participants, designing and delivering innovation challenges, and strengthening engagement with the Caribbean startup ecosystem to encourage collaborative, technology-driven solutions.

Working closely with internal teams and external partners, the Officer oversees the day-to-day execution of activities across both programmes, ensuring the effective delivery of training, technical assistance, and investment facilitation. The Officer contributes to the development of strategies and roadmaps that enable sustainable partnerships between corporates, entrepreneurs, and social innovators, while also supporting knowledge sharing, reporting, and monitoring processes to ensure compliance with Caribbean Export’s obligations and donor requirements.

In delivering these responsibilities, the Technical Officer works in collaboration with the Deputy Executive Director and the Manager – Technical Programmes to support Caribbean Export’s strategic objectives in the areas of innovation, sustainability, private sector development, and regional cooperation, with a particular focus on enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of Caribbean MSMEs through social and digital transformation.

Responsibilities/Deliverables:

Programme Implementation and Coordination

• Drive the operational delivery of Caribbean Export’s responsibilities within the EU-LAC Social Accelerator work plan, ensuring timely and effective implementation of assigned activities.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of Social Innovation Labs in assigned Caribbean countries.
• Support the design, delivery, and monitoring of national social innovation strategies and action plans.
• Oversee the mapping of social innovation ecosystems and identify key stakeholders, opportunities, and gaps.
• Manage the organization of project events, including hackathons, acceleration programmes, capacity-building workshops, and investment forums.
• Facilitate the integration of digital tools and platforms to support programme delivery and beneficiary engagement.
• Ensure compliance with project timelines, budgets, and reporting requirements.
• Facilitate partnerships between Caribbean corporates and startups to co-create innovative digital solutions addressing specific corporate needs.
• Collaborate with corporate partners to design, structure, and launch innovation challenges, focused on solving operational, sustainability, and digital transformation challenges through startup-led solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with startup ecosystems across the Caribbean, including incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneur networks, to identify high-potential startups for participation in innovation challenges.
• Identify opportunities to align corporate innovation needs with emerging startups capable of delivering digital solutions.
• Strengthen linkages between the objectives of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator and the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, particularly by fostering collaborations that support socially impactful digital innovations.
• Provide technical support to participating startups and corporates to advance partnerships from ideation to implementation.

Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Provide technical assistance to MSMEs, startups, and business support organizations (BSOs) on digital transformation and social innovation practices.
• Implement tools to assess facilitate the participation of private sector and civil society stakeholders in the Agency’s interventions.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products, guidelines, training materials, and policy recommendations to strengthen social and digital innovation ecosystems.
• Support mentoring programmes and provide guidance to enterprises participating in the Accelerators.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Support the collection and analysis of data to monitor programme outcomes and impact.
• Prepare regular technical reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders, including donors and consortium partners.
• Contribute to the application of results-based management (RBM) practices across programme activities.

Resource Mobilization

• Assist in the development of proposals and identification of funding opportunities for future social and digital innovation initiatives.
• Collaborate with consortium partners and internal teams to support the sustainability of social innovation and digital innovation ecosystems beyond the life of the programmes.

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in social sciences, innovation and entrepreneurship, international development, economics, business administration, or a related field.

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree, depending on the breadth and depth of the candidate’s professional experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in social innovation, digital transformation, private sector development, or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience supporting donor-funded projects with multi-stakeholder involvement.
• Experience working with CARIFORUM states and knowledge of the regional development context is an asset.
• Experience working with MSMEs, startups, and business support organizations in the Caribbean.
• Project management certification is considered an asset.
  • Strong understanding and working knowledge of the regional and international donor environment, including funding mechanisms supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and private sector development.

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARIFORUM nationals. Applicants must be legally authorized to live and work in the Dominican Republic. The Agency will not provide visa sponsorship or cover relocation expenses.

The selected candidate will be required to work in the Sub-Regional Office from Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Submission

To apply, please download the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and submit the required documentation:

• Updated CV
• Cover Letter outlining suitability for the Role

Interested applicants should submit documents to hr@carib-export.com by Friday, April 4, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UPDATE: NEW DEADLINE TO SUBMIT AN ONLINE EXPRESION OF INTEREST FORM IS APRIL 04, 2025.

Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), with support from the European Union, extends an invitation to CARICOM-based agro-processing/agro-industrial companies to apply for a chance to exhibit at the upcoming Agroalimentaria 2025 trade show. This prestigious event is scheduled to take place from May 28-31, 2025, at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Convention Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Recognized as one of the most important food industry trade fairs in the Caribbean region, Agroalimentaria offers a unique platform for food, tobacco, and beverage firms to showcase their products to international buyers. The 9th edition of Agroalimentaria is organized by the Dominican Agroindustry Board (JAD) and the Dominican trade and investment promotion office, ProDominicana.

For more information about Agroalimentaria 2025, please visit: http://agroalimentaria.com.do/

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Caribbean Export Support for Selected Firms

Caribbean Export will provide selected firms with the following:

• Exhibition space within Caribbean Export’s Absolutely Caribbean Pavilion
• Event registration
• Booth design and décor
• Participation in all official event activities, including:
  • Conferences
  • Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings with local and international buyers/distributors
  • Caribbean Kitchen, a specially designed gastronomy event

Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, including airfare, accommodation, meals, ground transportation, shipping of samples, and any other associated costs.

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Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for participation, firms must meet the following criteria:

• Be registered and operating in a CARICOM country
• Have been in operation for at least two years
• Demonstrate export potential or be an existing exporter
• Comply with relevant international standards, quality registration, and certification technical standards (e.g., HACCP, FSMA, ISO, etc.)
• Have the capacity to meet export orders generated through participation in the trade show

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The Application Process

Interested firms must submit an online Expression of Interest form no later than 4:00 p.m. AST (DR time) on April 04^th, 2025.

Complete Expression of Interest Form HERE

Applications will be reviewed by Caribbean Export´s selection committee. Successful participants will be notified no later than April 8^th, 2025.

Note: Submission of this form does not guarantee participation. Only fully completed applications will be considered and evaluated for suitability.

The information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality and will be used for selection review, B2B matchmaking, and Monitoring & Evaluation activities.

Download the full Expression of Interest below.

SUMMARY OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES REQUIRED

The Project and Administrative Assistant will provide consultancy services for the Technical Programmes Unit across all its technical programs. The Project and Administrative Assistant provides common project, administrative and logistical assistance to ensure consistency, quality service delivery, and enable effective project implementation. This also includes supporting all planning activities and assisting with the coordination of programme -related functions, and/or special events as appropriate. 

KEY SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

The Project and Administrative Assistant:

Project/Programme Support

• Assists the Technical Programmes unit with project development, strategic planning, coordination and administrative support to meet its objectives and activities directed at national, regional and international markets.
• Works directly with selected BSO’s to facilitate the execution of the Agency’s interventions/activities.
• Support project leads in the coordination of internal and external events, training sessions and workshops.
• Provides support to the Grants team in the administration of the grant programmes. 
• Performs information gathering and basic research tasks for the purpose of analysis and the preparation of reports.
• Supports the Unit in its procurement processes by assisting with the shortlisting of candidates, channeling of communication effectively, and by supporting all logistics related to arranging interviews.

Administrative Support

• Assists with the preparation of documents and efficient processing in the Agency’s Management and Reporting processes.
• Prepares and maintains databases for corporate and project related activities and contracts.
• Ensures accurate physical and electronic filing of documents in accordance with Agency Policies.
• Supports the processes related to administrative and technical assistance payments.
• Manages and maintains the Unit-level correspondences – including drafting formal letters to public and private counterparts, arranging signatures, sending and confirming receipt.
• Support the implementation of internal controls used to mitigate risk and standardise outputs by ensuring the correct accounting of expenses, use of templates, and channelling of resources, and document submissions. This includes liaising with the Finance and Operations Unit to ensure compliance.
• Supports the design and logistics of missions – clearances, meetings and travel logistics and other arrangements.
• Supports the building of private sector awareness through the planning and coordination of educational activities such as workshops, seminars and targeted missions.
• Provides support to the onboarding of new members to the Unit including collaboration with the HR, Operations and Finance, and IT departments to arrange provisions.
• Assists with the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports and departmental papers as required.
• Schedules and coordinates meetings, events, interviews, appointments, and/or other similar activities.

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following areas: Economics, Business/Office Administration, Project Management, Marketing or other related field.
• A minimum of 2 years work experience in General Office Administration, Project Management/ Project Coordination or Accounting environment.
• Experience functioning at the regional/international level in any of the above fields would be an asset;
• Fluent in spoken and written English.  Ability to communicate in Spanish, French, or Dutch, would be an asset.
• This position is open to CARIFORUM nationals only.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Interested parties are to submit their CV and Motivation Letter to Mr. Wayne Elliott, Manager – Technical Programmes, at technicalprogrammes@carib-export.com by Sunday 23rd March 2025 11:59 pm.

Download the full terms of reference.

• The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator invites business partnerships to apply to its 3rd Open Call. Partnerships should include a corporate wanting to solve a digital challenge and a startup or innovative SME offering to develop a solution to solve this challenge.

• For this 3rd open call, we are excited to introduce HealthTech as a new opportunity area, alongside CleanTech and Smart Production.

• EU-LAC partnerships must include at least one corporate and one startup from two of the following regions: the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

• Selected candidates will receive in-kind acceleration services valued at up to €30,000 (€40,000 if a Caribbean partner is involved).

The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator supports cross-regional partnerships between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean in developing digital processes, products, and services. The partnership should include a corporate facing a challenge and a startup or innovative SME from a different region, and providing a digital solution.

The accelerator launches the 3rd Open Call for EU-LAC partnerships, now expanding its focus to include HealthTech, alongside Clean Technologies and Smart Production, as the main opportunity areas. However, corporate-startup partnerships from other sectors are also welcome to apply.

Selected candidates will receive in-kind acceleration services valued at up to €30,000 (€40,000 if a Caribbean partner is involved).

The services provided within the programme are detailed in a catalogue and are divided into the following categories:

• A customised acceleration roadmap
• The design and implementation of a proof-of-concept
• The validation of a business model
• The assessment of its investment and scaling readiness.

The accelerator’s experts will thus support these partnerships until they reach an investment-ready stage.

Open call: How to apply?

To qualify for the acceleration services, partnerships must include at least:

✔️One corporate.

✔️One startup or one innovative SME.

Both entities should be established in distinct eligible regions: the European Union, Latin America, or the Caribbean.

Besides, to demonstrate their commitment, the partners must have signed a formal partnership agreement.

Partnerships can submit their application form in 5 minutes via the open call page on the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator website. They will also find the “Guidelines for Applicants” document with all the necessary information.