With support from the Global Gateway Regional Private Sector Development Programme III (RPSDP), the Caribbean Export Development Agency is initiating efforts to enhance the market entry of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in CARIFORUM countries into the European Union (EU). The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in 2008, aims to boost trade and investment between CARIFORUM states and the EU, but CARIFORUM’s exports to the EU have been marginal. This initiative aims to address the technical and regulatory challenges faced by SMEs in the Caribbean.

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

The Capacity Building Programme on Standards and Certification for SMEs aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Caribbean SMEs by equipping them with the necessary certifications and technical knowledge required to access and succeed in the EU market.

Objective

The overall objective of this initiative is to enhance the global competitiveness of Caribbean SMEs by equipping them with the necessary certifications and technical knowledge required to access and succeed in the EU market. This objective is pursued through a collaborative effort between Caribbean Export, CROSQ, and National Standards Bureaus. The programme focuses on several key areas:

• Phase 1: Capacity Building Workshops: Design and deliver workshops to raise awareness among SMEs about the importance of international standards and certifications.
• Phase 2: Technical Assistance Program: Provide targeted technical assistance to SMEs, helping them achieve the necessary certifications and comply with EU market requirements. Create action plans addressing their specific challenges in obtaining certification.

Requirements

This consultancy requires the services of a key expert with the following qualifications and experience:

• A postgraduate degree in at least one of the following relevant fields of study: trade policy, engineering or natural sciences.
• At least five (7) years’ experience in the field of Quality infrastructure.
• Knowledge of relevant international standards including; ISO standards as well as voluntary sustainability standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of EU market access requirements, including technical barriers to trade, labelling and packaging regulations/requirements for market access.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the CARIFORUM‐ EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
• Demonstrated experience working in the Caribbean and with CARIFORUM SMEs
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in delivering professional training to SMEs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent technical and report‐writing skills.

Submission

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

• Technical Proposal/Concept Design
• Financial Proposal in EURO
• Applicant Declaration Form

Submit these documents to Ms. Mikaela Stoute, Export Development and Promotion Officer, at mstoute@carib-export.com , copied to Mrs. Natasha Edwin-Walcott, Manager (Ag), Competitiveness and Export Promotion, at nwalcott@carib-export.com.

The submission deadline is 4:00 pm AST on September 30, 2024.