Vice-President (Corporate Services) and Bank Secretary at Caribbean Development Bank, Barbados_Deadline:30-Nov-2011

CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

JOB OPPORTUNITY

VICE-PRESIDENT (CORPORATE SERVICES) AND BANK SECRETARY

Attached is the Opportunity Profile for the position of Vice-President (Corporate Services) and Bank Secretary at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).  The profile consists of a description of the job, the qualifications and competencies required, and a brief description of the Bank and its organisational structure.  Additional information on the Bank may be obtained from the Bank’s website (www.caribank.org ).

 Before you proceed to apply, please consider the following requirements:

 1. You must be a national of one of CDB’s Borrowing Member Countries.

2. You will be required to produce evidence of any educational and professional qualifications to support your application if you are selected for an interview.

3. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and background checking.  Additional information on this requirement is enclosed.

Please review the information under the caption ‘APPLICATIONS’ for details on applying.  Your application should be received no later than November 30, 2011, 1700 hrs EST.

We thank you for your interest. 

CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

OPPORTUNITY PROFILE

VICE-PRESIDENT (CORPORATE SERVICES)

AND BANK SECRETARY

INTRODUCTION

The Caribbean Development Bank, the region’s premier development finance institution, is offering a great opportunity to an individual who has a serious interest in making a difference in improving the quality of life in Caribbean societies.  The opportunity is for a Vice-President who will provide strong leadership, innovative and visionary management and oversight to the Corporate Services functions. He/she will also guide the Bank in the management of external relations with member countries, donors, other stakeholders and strategic partners.  CDB is a major provider of development financing across its eighteen borrowing member countries (BMCs) in the Caribbean.  The successful candidate will be joining the Bank at a time when it is engaged in major efforts in helping to transform the economies of its BMCs.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB or Bank) is a leading regional financial institution established in October 1969, which began operations in January 1970.  Its headquarters are located at Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados.

CDB members are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Dominica, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, People’s Republic of China, Mexico, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.

CDB is committed to the harmonious economic growth and development of its member countries in the Caribbean and promoting economic cooperation and integration among them, having special and urgent regard to the needs of the less-developed members of the Region.  CDB is the premier vehicle for development financing in the Region and has maintained a Triple ‘A’ (AAA) rating since 1992.

It is a great time to join a leadership team that will be charting a new chapter in the Bank’s history.  CDB has recently elected a new President, whose appointment took effect from May 1, 2011.  Those on his senior management team, which will include the Vice-President (Corporate Services) & Bank Secretary [VP (CS) & Bank Secretary] have a key role to play in re-defining the organisation’s brand over the next few years. 

 

OPPORTUNITY  

The role of VP (CS) & Bank Secretary is critical to supporting the work of the Bank in its drive to reduce poverty in its BMCs.  Reporting directly to the President, the VP (CS) & Bank Secretary will guide CDB’s strategic and operational engagement in seeking to add value to the Bank’s work through the provision of high value support services that contribute to client-centred products and results.  The incumbent will also take a lead role in directing the Bank’s external relations with key stakeholders and development partners, and in seeking to expand the membership of the Bank.  The VP (CS) & Bank Secretary performs an important role in the current process of change and institutional reform at the Bank.  The VP (CS) & Bank Secretary will need to take a broad institutional view and provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring that policies, systems and processes are aligned with business and strategic needs, and are implemented to the highest standards across the Bank.

 

  

POSITION

The VP (CS) & Bank Secretary will provide guidance to the relevant Department Directors and Unit Managers, ensuring the provision of efficient and cost-effective corporate services.  The Corporate Services Area comprises the following departments and units:

 1. Finance and Corporate Planning Department – responsible for the effective planning and management of the financial operations of the Bank, encompassing capital markets, treasury and accounting activities.  The Department is also responsible for the developing and coordinating of the Bank's strategic planning process, including the preparation of the biennial work programme and administrative budget.

2. Human Resources and Administration Department – responsible for formulating, recommending and implementing policies, strategies and programmes for effective human resource management and development and efficient administrative services. 

 3. Information and Technology Solutions Department – responsible for information and communication technology (ICT) for the development, maintenance, control and security of the infrastructure of business solutions and initiatives that effectively address evolving operational demands of the Bank as well as providing information services.

 4. Legal Department – responsible for providing legal services, advice and counsel to CDB so that the Bank in the conduct of its affairs is in compliance with its Charter, international and municipal law, and in accordance with its existing or appropriate policies, rules and procedures.

 5. Communications Unit – responsible for the communications strategy of the Bank that includes external and internal communications, brand management, media and stakeholder relations, content and message development.

6. Bank Secretary’s Unit – responsible for the planning, execution and management of a range of corporate secretarial services necessary for the successful holding of the meetings of the Board of Directors and Board of Governors of the Bank, as well as for those corporate services which contribute to the enhancement of the external relations of the Bank.

As a member of the Bank’s senior management team, the VP (CS) & Bank Secretary serves as a member on the Bank’s Investment and Loans Committees and serves as chair of the Budget Committee.  The Bank Secretary is the principal advisor to the President on protocol and stakeholder relations.  Critical to the functioning of the Bank is the effectiveness of its decision-making fora - the Board of Directors and Board of Governors of Bank.  The effectiveness of those fora is the accountability of the Bank Secretary, including the administration of the Bank’s electoral processes.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

The high expectation of this role demands a senior executive of regional/international stature with a successful track record of achievement.  Qualified candidates will have experience in designing and leading organisational reform, development and change.  The successful candidate will demonstrate strategic leadership that will enable the Bank to maintain its competitiveness and remain on the cutting edge of its industry by pursuing initiatives that enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.  The ability to forge and sustain linkages with key partners in both the development finance, as well as in the wider financial services industry will also be crucial in advancing the work of the Bank.  Qualified candidates must be a national of one of CDB’s BMCs.

The successful candidate will need the following experience, attributes and competencies in order to perform successfully in the position:

CREDIBILITY, REPUTATION AND EXPERIENCE – The successful candidate must have the ability to influence people at all levels.  He/she will have significant experience in managing corporate services in an evolving and complex environment, with a comparable level of responsibility and scope.  A high level of personal integrity is required, together with the ability to manage multiple issues simultaneously as well as experience in managing a diverse team.  Demonstrated political objectivity and independence are key criteria for being effective in this role.  Candidates should share in the Bank’s passion and commitment to reduce poverty in the region, and want to make a difference in the lives of others.

TECHNICAL GROUNDING AND EXPERTISE – The successful candidate should have:

1. An advanced degree in one or more of the disciplines related to the core areas described above, complemented by a proven track record in executive management within complex results-based organisations.

2. Strong appreciation of, or experience working in, the development financing environment.

3. Sound technical experience in at least one of the central areas of responsibility.

4. Sound understanding of corporate finance, financial statements and capital market transactions.

5. Strong practical knowledge of board operations and corporate governance principles.

6. Extensive management and oversight experience, including risk and quality assurance management for substantial budgets.

7. A strong results focus, with exceptional strength in team leadership and relationship building.  

8. The ability to evaluate and manage risks through the exercise of sound and reasoned judgement.

9. The ability to undertake high level representational roles on behalf of the Bank at regional and international levels.

10. A second language competency (French and/or Spanish) would be an asset.

ABILITY TO CREATE A SENSE OF DIRECTION – This competency covers these critical attributes and leadership practices:

1. Technical grounding – balancing the broad thinking with in-depth knowledge and expertise in the field; grounding decisions in solid business insight.

2. Strategic thinking – ability to take an analytical approach to problem solving and to anticipate the long-term and broad implications of decisions and actions.

3. Critical judgment – possessing superior ability to deal with complexity, draw proper conclusions supported by available data or facts, demonstrating insights into issues and situations.

ABILITY TO DEVELOP A FOLLOWING – In this competency, the successful candidate needs to demonstrate the following:

1. Diplomacy – ability to be diplomatic in politically-sensitive situations, ability to adapt own behaviour and mannerisms to the circumstances.

2. Influence and Persuasion – ability to use language eloquently to persuade others to one’s point of view, communicating in a compelling manner.

3. Building partnering relationships and cooperation – developing relationships with a broad group of stakeholders based on mutual trust and respect; being utilised as a trusted advisor.

 4. Passion for business and people – operating with a high level of energy and dynamism, demonstrating enthusiasm for cause and for others, motivating others to engage in tasks with positive attitude and conviction.

5. Ability to mobilise and engage others – knowing how to engage and motivate others, demonstrating the ability to inspire others to be the best they can be.

ABILITY TO DELIVER RESULTS – This competency focuses on the following leadership practices:

1. Ability to negotiate – effectively engaging in the process of getting the best terms for a proposition.

2. Driving results and holding others accountable – demonstrating strong bottom-line orientation, setting high standards and ambitious goals and objectives for self and others and holding self and others accountable to deliver at their highest levels.

ABILITY TO WORK IN A TEAM – With respect to teamwork, the following behaviours and capabilities will be critically correlated with the candidate’s success:

 1. Collaboration – demonstrating ability to defer personal objectives to accommodate the needs of the larger team, willingness/desire to proactively help and provide service to others.

2. Consultation – ability to proactively seek the input of others, knowing how to leverage the strengths and perspectives of others in making final decisions.

3. Empathy – ability to demonstrate sensitivity for the well-being of others.

Given the regional focus of this position, the successful candidate will be required to interface with senior government officials, senior officers at other development and financial institutions, and regional non-governmental organisations.  This interface may require as much as 30% travel time. 

APPLICATIONS

If after reading this Opportunity Profile you conclude that you are a good match for CDB, we invite you to begin the application process. You may contact Edyta Pacuk at any stage of the process to get more information and to ask questions (contact information appears below). You are required to provide:

1. A resumé with indication of Nationality.

2. An outline of your motivation for the position, and how you match the profile as described.

3. The names and contact information (telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) for four references who know you and your work well enough to comment on your suitability for this role (references will only be contacted after we have requested and received your permission to do so). 

CDB is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, sex, ethnic or national origin, or physical disability.

CDB fully respects the need for confidentiality of information supplied and assures you that your background and interest will not be discussed with anyone, without your prior consent, nor will reference contacts be made until mutual interest has been established.

Please submit your resumé and the required information in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format to:

Edyta Pacuk

epacuk@marchfifteen.ca 

Telephone: (678) 666 1454

In the subject line, please write:

“Vice-President (Corporate Services) & Bank Secretary, CDB”