Training/Grants Coordinator

Job Description

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards Consulting Services for a Training and Grants Coordinator - Project Implementation Unit of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and Digital Economy.

The Training and Grants Coordinator will assist with the delivery of the activities under Component 3 of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project and be responsible for the management and oversight of the project’s Training and Grants Programme, including overall coordination, processing of applications and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of disbursed grants. The period of assignment will be two (2) years in the first instance.

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and Digital Economy now invites eligible consulting individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

Responsibility

The Training and Grants Coordinator will assist with the delivery of activities under Component 3 and be responsible for the management and oversight of the training and grants program under the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project including overall coordination, processing of applications and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of disbursed grants.

The Duties Will:

• develop grants manual, procedure and guidelines for the implementation of the skills training and technology adoption grants sub-component to include a monitoring and evaluation system;
• develop work plan detailing the delivery schedule of each grant award;
• develop communication plan to include budget for the implementation of the grants program as well as design and provide content for promotional materials for advertisements in collaboration with the Communications Officer to ensure adequate publicity of grants competitions and awards;
• assist with the preparation of calls for proposals for grants and coordinate review process for the proposals received;
• ensure all applicants meet the eligibility criteria in accordance with the grant manual;
• prepare reports making recommendations of proposals for grant funding approval to the Grants Approval Committee;
• assist with preparation of contracts and grant agreements for awarded grants/ approved business plans;
• disburse, administer, monitor and provide monthly report on all approved grants;
• verify/ certify all invoices prior to submission for payment
• assist with the coordination and delivery of the digital skill development and technology adoption training(s).

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or related field, an MBA will be an asset.
• Ability to manage beneficiaries.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Experience with business continuity plans and procedures and Business Case Development.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the delivery of business development services.
• Previous experience in managing grants or similar technical assistance programs.
• Knowledge and experience in promoting, supporting, managing and mentoring enterprises.
• Knowledge of World Bank/ Infodev support for Business Incubator activities would be an asset.
• Experience with Business Incubator operations including:
  • Sound business recruitment framework
  • Business performance indicators and assessment methodologies
  • Establishing clear exit strategies
  • Effectively integrating ICT throughout their incubator operations and within the new business development cycles
  • Sound financial management and micro-finance experience with start-up companies
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations
• Understanding of gender issues within the context of development projects.
• Knowledge of related laws and policies of Dominica and the Eastern Caribbean region.
• High proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.) and excellent web navigation skills.
• High professional and personal integrity.
• Ability to submit information in a clear, concise manner and in formats suitable for non-specialists.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and proven ability to apply these in carrying out operational tasks, identifying issues, presenting findings/ recommendations and contributing to resolution of sector and country issues.
• Capacity to work simultaneously on a variety of issues and tasks, independently adjusting to priorities and achieving results with agreed objectives and deadline.
• Ability to use one’s initiative and be proactive.
• Ability to be flexible with work assignments.
• Ability to stimulate and manage change and develop strong teams.
• Ability to uphold ethical standards.
• Familiarity with the World Bank environmental and social safeguards.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with internal/external partners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Proficiency in English

Benefits and Others

To support the improved management of digital risks, the project will bolster cybersecurity policy, capacity, and planning tools in the region. It will facilitate technology adoption to improve productivity of flagship industries and create demand for digitally enabled jobs. It aims to foster regional integration and cooperation to capture the economies of scale and scope required to increase impact and value for money of the project interventions and to create a more competitive, seamless regional digital market to attract investment and provide room for growth of digital firms.

A brief description of the project components is as follows:

Component 1: Digital Enabling Environment

This component will support the development of a positive enabling environment for Dominica’s digital economy that drives competition, investment and innovation while promoting trust and security of online transactions. It will focus on legal, regulatory and institutional reforms to support modernization of the telecommunications and digital financial services sectors while mitigating growing risks of a digital economy including cybersecurity and data protection and privacy.

1. Telecommunications: Legal and Regulatory Environment, Institutions and Capacity Support
2. Digital Financial Services: Legal and Regulatory Environment, Institutions, and Capacity
3. Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy: Legal and Regulatory Environment, Institutions and Capacity Support

Component 2: Digital Government Infrastructure, Platforms and Services

This component will support public sector modernization, resilience and delivery of digital public services to individuals and businesses. It will aim to ensure that Dominica has put in place the core infrastructure, platforms, institutions and human capacity needed to efficiently and effectively manage internal government operations, and to build on these core enablers to make public services widely accessible online from anywhere within the country, region or across the globe. It will also prepare Dominica’s government for deeper interconnectivity and interoperability of data and information systems across borders to smooth administration of regional trade, immigration and other services. Finally, it will aim to ensure continuity of government operations and services, enable real-time data driven decision making and ability to rapidly target and deliver payments and social services to citizens and businesses in the event of natural disasters.

1. Development of Cross-Cutting Enablers of Digital Government Operations and Services
2. Government Productivity Platforms and Citizen-Centric Digital Services

Component 3: Digital Skills and Technology Adoption

This component aims to better equip individuals and businesses in Dominica for the jobs and economy of the future and to spur innovation and productivity growth. It aims to create a pool of advanced digital talent to better position Dominica to attract investment by digital firms. It takes a comprehensive supply and demand side approach, supporting greater technology adoption and utilization of digitally enabled business models to drive demand for newly skilled employees and well as making connections with global employment opportunities through online working platforms.

1. Workforce-Ready Digital Skills
2. Technology Adoption

Component 4: Project Implementation Support

This component includes support to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the implementation and management of national level project activities, including for staffing of the PIU, capacity building and training initiatives as well as recruitment of a technical advisory and implementation support firm. Key technical functions to be supported can include but will not be limited to project manager, technical specialists, procurement specialists, financial management specialist, environmental and social specialists, monitoring and evaluation and communications.

B. Institutional Arrangements

The Project will be implemented by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and the Digital Economy (MoPWPUDE). The PIU will be responsible for the overall implementation of the Project with emphasis on reporting and monitoring and evaluation, financial management, contracts management, safeguards oversight, and procurement.

The PIU will report directly to the Project Steering Committee for the lifetime of the project. It will be responsible for coordinating and managing all the technical aspects of the project, facilitating inter-ministerial coordination, and implementing digital initiatives across the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the GoCD. The PIU will support development of key policies and regulations and inter-agency coordination to enable consensus building together with other key agencies like the ICT Unit and the Digital Transformation Unit of the GoCD. Core technical responsibilities include adoption of digital technologies, effective coordination of departmental information system development and implementation. The Project Steering Committee will determine if technical committees are required for policy formulation and convene such committees as necessary (i.e. for Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy, Service Delivery, ePayments, Digital Identity, Interoperability, etc.). The PIU, with guidance and support from the management firm, will also be responsible for promoting change management practices and stakeholder engagement, developing effective programs for digital Government skills development, knowledge exchange and awareness-raising.

The consultant is expected to work with the PIU to ensure that the Component 3 is executed in order to build capacity for the sustenance the digital transformation agenda beyond the life of the Project.

Contract Duration and Estimated Time Input

The assignment will be on a contractual basis for two (2) years in the first instance and renewable upon satisfactory performance.

Reporting Requirements

• The Training and Grants Coordinator will report to the Project Manager of the CARDTP Project Implementation Unit.
• The Consultant will submit a report, at the end of each month, detailing the activities performed by the Consultant in the month to which it refers.

Facilities to Be Provided by the Client

• Office space
• Basic amenities including telephone, computer
• Access to vehicle

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (Fifth Edition, September 2023) revised setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection Method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Tuesdays to Fridays.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) on or before February 16, 2024, to the address below:

Jermaine Jewel Jean-Pierre, PhD
Project Manager
Project Implementation Unit
Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP)
Ministry of Public Works and the Digital Economy
2nd Floor First Domestic Building,
19-21 King George V Street
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
00109-8000
Tel: (767) 266 3840/3844
Email: jeanpierrej@dominica.gov.dm | cc dtp.procurement@gmail.com