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

Established in 1959, the Inter-American Development Bank (“IDB” or “Bank”) is the main source of financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, guarantees, policy advice and technical assistance to the public and private sectors of its borrowing countries. 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 that funded over 100 private sector development projects over the period 2010-2016 in the Caribbean. 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 a 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. Cluster stakeholders can use these tools to develop and/or enhance their tourism products and experiences.

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).

These CDPs will be submitted to an Investment Panel (IP) of independent judges who will recommend which projects are most likely to succeed in achieving the following objectives:

1. Job creation in the short and long term – the extent to which the cluster project will create new jobs, including for women and other vulnerable or marginalised groups.

2. Revenue generation especially for businesses or farms in remote areas – the extent to which the cluster project will affect the revenues of stakeholders in underprivileged or remote areas.

3. Increased foreign exchange the extent to which this project will generate additional spending from foreign visitors (new or current).

4. Catalytic and sustainable impact – the extent to which the project will support inclusive and sustainable economic growth over time, and impact on climate change.

Teams Mission

The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) seeks a professional consultant based in Jamaica with extensive experience and background in market research and feasibility study and analysis to conduct research and develop a strategy to determine the viability of new conch based product(s) and 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 marketing specialist will explore the potential for establishing specialized niche markets arrangement in nontraditional regions such as China and other Asian countries with an emphasis on the provision of live conch products.

What you’ll do:

1. Undertake a market research and competitive analysis study in the targeted regions to identify and propose at least three promising value-added products made from queen conch. Further analysis and as a basis for identification and future development of the business case(s) that offer economic opportunities for the Jamaica Conch Cluster. The development of criteria for selection would include unmet market demand (locally or export), niche products with significant market potential, significant margin through transformation, and revenue opportunity for the cluster.

2. Identify constrains in market access, input supply, technology/product development, management and organization, infrastructure, policy, and regulations at the national, regional, and international levels. The analysis should include a study on market demand and trends with description of consumer needs, competitors’ analysis, and a description of new products to include positioning and market segments. Specific attention will be given to opportunities for market entry and growth, constrains and barriers, etc.

3. Develop a Strategic Marketing Plan that includes a commercialization and distribution plan for the local, regional, and where applicable also the global level.

Deliverables and Payments Timeline:

Deliverable 1. Prepare a comprehensive work/action plan including the assigned tasks, scope and report outlining approach and plan for the consultancy.

Deliverable 2. Provide mid-point interim report and presentation of the market research and feasibility study to include limitations of the market research to the cluster.

Tasks:

Undertake a detailed market research and feasibility study and analysis to include:

o A detailed research methodology to include questionnaires and interview questions for discussions with stakeholders, focus group sessions and key informant interviews, etc.

o Secondary research.

o Feasibility study to guide new product(s).

o Environmental scanning that includes PESTLE Analysis and Environmental sustainability.

o Competitors’ analysis.

o Value Chain analysis as it relates to new product development.

Deliverable 3. Submit interim market research findings and feasibility study and presentation report. Prepare an action/work plan in keeping with the Scope of Work (after selection)

Deliverable 4. Submission of final market research and feasibility study. Present market research and feasibility study and plan to the cluster for review and signoff/approval.