Post of Duty: Jamaica

The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

About this position

In 2016, IDB, the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Government of Canada, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Canada have established a co-financing facility called “The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility” (GN-2851), which is a continuation of the Compete Caribbean Program. These projects generated nearly 12,000 jobs, a 23% increase in exports (USD$37M) and a 41% increase in the revenue of participating firms and clusters (USD$153M), as well as an improvement in the business climate for some countries through policy or regulatory reforms. The purpose of the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) is to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth through greater competitiveness and innovation in the private sector of 13 Caribbean countries [1].

In January 2020, the CCPF launched a call for proposals for clusters focused on the tourism and agri/agro-tourism sectors. To support this process, with the aim of providing tools to build a pipeline of strong projects, and to maximize the impact and benefits on the most vulnerable groups, a community-based tourism (CBT) toolkit [1] was developed in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). It was disseminated through various channels including the Ministry of Tourism in each country and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). The toolkit includes primary market research of American consumers to assess their willingness-to-pay for innovative products and services that can be offered in the Caribbean, and visitor for these experiences. Additionally, it includes a Community-Based Tourism Enterprise Handbook, Cluster Diagnostic Tool and a Tourism Assets Inventory and Profile Template.

The application process for the call for proposals required the submission of a Project Concept Note (PCN) and completion of two of the tools to obtain an assessment of the local context. Following the call for proposals, seven PCNs were short-listed to move forward to the next step in the selection process which is the preparation of a Cluster Development Plan (CDP).

The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) seeks a professional consultant with extensive experience and background in market research and feasibility study and analysis to develop an export plan for the Jamaica Conch Cluster and determine the viability of a new conch based /products its favorable entry into countries with promising trade regimes and the presence of a Caribbean diaspora population such as the United States (US), European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK) and Canada.

Additionally, the international marketing specialist will explore gather the requisite market intelligence potential for establishing specialized niche markets arrangement in non-traditional regions such as USA, China and other Asian countries with an emphasis on the provision of live conch products.

We are looking for an experienced, dynamic and innovative International Marketing/Trade Specialist. As an International Marketing/Trade Specialist, you will perform the following tasks:

1) Gather market intelligence to refine target market research and develop a Strategic Marketing Plan inclusive of an analysis of industry competitors, and an assessment of value-added products that other MSC-certified fishing groups have developed to satisfy the demand of an MSC certified product buyer, particularly for products similar to conch if the information is available. Target countries should be assessed. To do this you will work with prior studies and consultants currently working with the Jamaica Conch Cluster (namely the Cluster Manager, Marketing Specialist and Cluster Development Consultant and the Leg)

2) Assessment of value-added products and their target market and product positioning for other MSC-certified fishing groups have developed to satisfy the demand of an MSC certified product buyer, particularly for products similar to conch if the information is available. Determine appropriate value proposition statements for current selected value-added products

3) Formulation of a Draft Business strategy and portfolio analysis inclusive of a Financial plan based on relevant assumptions and pricing recommendations for landed price. This should include a Marketing Management plan (7 P’s Framework), analysis of strengths and weaknesses. Critical Success Factors an assessment of the price premium MSC certified product buyers typically pay over the commodity price for non MSC certified products, particularly for products similar to conch if the information is available and an assessment of the contracting/commercial partnership mechanism other MSC-certified fishing groups have used to join production to satisfy the demand of an MSC certified product buyer (e.g. joint venture etc.).

4) Develop an export market development plan focused on specialized niche market arrangements in nontraditional regions such as China and other Asian countries with an emphasis on the provision of live conch products. This should include a strategy to find buyers, a comparison of Channel versus Direct Sales Strategy and a supply chain infrastructure analysis. SPS and TBT factors should also be considered. 5) Developing and implementing a Final Commercialization Plan that includes operational and distribution plan for the local, regional, and international value-added products on behalf of the Jamaica Conch Cluster including a supply chain setup within a new country with timelines and a framework to evaluate results. This should contain the Final Business Strategy that will be updated as required.

You will work with the Cluster Manager of Jamaica Conch Cluster and the Sub-Committee as well as the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility. This team is responsible for ensuring the sustainability and profitability of the JCC’s future

What you’ll do

• Environmental scanning of competitive landscape in target market, analysis of industry competitors, a comparison of Channel versus Direct Sales Strategy and an assessment of value-added products that other MSC-certified fishing groups have developed to develop a Strategic Marketing Plan (SMP)
• Report on assessment of value-added products, and their target market and product positioning for other MSC-certified fishing group.
• Design of value proposition statements for value added products.
• Draft a business strategy and portfolio analysis inclusive of a financial plan based on relevant assumptions and pricing recommendations.
• Develop Export Market Development (EMD) Plan
• Develop Commercialization Plan for operationalizing of EMD

Deliverables and Payments Timeline