SUMMARY 

The Technical Officer – EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is responsible for supporting the implementation of the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator programme, with a dedicated focus on two core functions: engaging corporate partners to design and post innovation challenges on the platform, and identifying, cultivating, and supporting Caribbean startups to participate as solvers. The role is an eleven-month in-house consultancy based at Caribbean Export’s Subregional Office in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and reports directly to the Deputy Executive Director who serves as the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator’s Programme Manager for Caribbean Export. 

The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator is a flagship innovation programme funded by the European Union, designed to foster partnerships between established corporations and high-potential startups across Latin America and the Caribbean. Through a challenge-based open innovation model, corporations post specific operational, sustainability, or digital transformation challenges, and startups from across the region compete to propose and implement solutions. Caribbean Export plays a key role in driving Caribbean participation in the programme, with responsibility for mobilising corporate challenge issuers and building a robust pipeline of Caribbean startup solvers. 

Working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Director, the Technical Officer manages the day-to-day liaison with corporate partners and startups, coordinates outreach and engagement activities, supports challenge design and posting, guides startups through the application process, and facilitates the matching of startups with relevant corporate challenges. The Officer works in close collaboration with other team members of the implementation unit and the Deputy Executive Director, contributing to Caribbean Export’s broader objective of strengthening the Caribbean innovation ecosystem through corporate-startup collaboration. 

RESPONSIBILITIES/DELIVERABLES: 

Corporate Engagement and Challenge Development 

• Identify, engage, and manage relationships with Caribbean corporations interested in participating in the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator as challenge issuers, building an active and diversified pipeline of corporate partners across priority sectors. 

• Liaise with corporate partners to understand their innovation needs and support the design, structuring, and posting of innovation challenges on the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator platform, ensuring challenges are clearly articulated, sector-relevant, and attractive to startup solvers. 

• Coordinate meetings, briefings, and consultations with corporate partners throughout the challenge lifecycle – from initial engagement and challenge design through to startup selection and partnership advancement – ensuring a high-quality experience for participating corporations. 

• Track corporate partner engagement and challenge development status, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of pipeline activity, communications, and outcomes. 

• Promote the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator among target corporate sectors, identifying strategic opportunities to expand corporate participation and diversify the range of challenges posted on the platform. 

Startup Identification and Cultivation 

• Map and identify high-potential startups across the Caribbean region capable of addressing posted corporate challenges, drawing on incubators, accelerators, entrepreneur networks, and startup ecosystem databases. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Caribbean startup ecosystem actors – including incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneur networks – to develop and sustain a robust and diverse pipeline of startup solvers for active and upcoming corporate challenges. 

• Support and guide startups in understanding challenge requirements and developing competitive, well-structured proposals in response to posted corporate challenges, providing feedback and coaching throughout the application process. 

• Facilitate the matching and pairing of startups with relevant corporate challenges, assessing startup capability, solution fit, and readiness ahead of challenge applications. 

• Provide light-touch technical guidance and mentorship to participating startups throughout the challenge process, supporting the advancement of startup-corporate partnerships from ideation to implementation. 

Programme Implementation and Coordination 

• Support the day-to-day operational delivery of Caribbean Export’s responsibilities under the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, assisting the Deputy Executive Director in tracking progress against programme milestones and ensuring compliance with timelines and reporting requirements. 

• Maintain and update programme databases, contact lists, and tracking tools (such as Monday.com) covering corporate partners, startups, challenges, and outcomes. 

• Assist in the preparation and organisation of Digital Accelerator events, including challenge launch events, matchmaking sessions, pitch days, and programme showcases. 

• Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by the Technical Officer – EU-LAC Social and Digital Innovation and the Deputy Executive Director. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting 

• Track and report on key programme indicators, including the number of corporate partners engaged, challenges posted, startups cultivated, proposals submitted, and partnerships advanced, contributing to Caribbean Export’s reporting obligations under the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator. 

• Assist in the preparation of regular progress reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders, including the European Commission, consortium partners, and Caribbean Export management. 

CORE & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES 

1. Corporate Innovation and Open Innovation: Understanding of corporate innovation models, open innovation frameworks, and challenge-based innovation, with the ability to engage corporate partners in designing and posting meaningful, well-structured innovation challenges. 

2. Startup Ecosystem Knowledge: Familiarity with startup ecosystems in the Caribbean and/or LAC region, including the ability to identify, assess, and engage high-potential startups as solvers for corporate challenges. 

3. Partnership Development and Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including corporate partners, startups, and ecosystem actors, and to facilitate effective collaboration between them. 

4. Business Development and Account Management: Demonstrated ability to manage a pipeline of corporate and startup partners, conduct outreach, track engagement, and advance relationships through a structured process towards concrete outcomes. 

5. Programme Coordination: Experience contributing to the delivery of multi-stakeholder programmes, with the ability to track activities, manage communications, and support timely delivery against programme milestones. 

6. Communication and Facilitation: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with both corporate and startup audiences, draft programme communications, and facilitate productive meetings and consultations. 

7. Digital Proficiency: Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 and other digital collaboration tools, with the ability to leverage technology – including artificial intelligence tools – to support efficient programme delivery. 

8. Adaptability: Capacity to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and high standards of professionalism. 

9. Multilingual Communication: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Proficiency in French or Dutch is considered an asset. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, innovation management, economics, technology, international development, communications, or a related field. 

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field would be considered an asset. Experience with innovation ecosystems, accelerators, or corporate-startup collaboration models would be a strong advantage. 

EXPERIENCE: 

• Minimum of four (year) years of relevant professional experience in startup ecosystem development, corporate innovation, business development, open innovation, or a closely related area. 

• Demonstrated experience engaging with corporate partners or clients in a business development, account management, or programme delivery capacity. 

• Experience working with startups, incubators, accelerators, or entrepreneur networks, including the ability to assess startup capability and support proposal or pitch development. 

• Familiarity with innovation challenge models, open innovation platforms, or corporate venturing and startup collaboration frameworks is a strong asset. 

• Experience working with CARIFORUM states and knowledge of the Caribbean and LAC regional development context is an asset. 

• Prior experience within EU-funded or donor-funded programmes, or in an international development organisation, would be an advantage. 

Additional Requirements: 

• Strong proficiency in business technology tools like Microsoft 365, Monday.com, digital media tools, social media tools for programme promotion and communications software. 

• Ability to leverage artificial intelligence tools, like large language models (i.e. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity), to undertake tasks related to implementation. 

• Ability to travel occasionally, as needed, for programme activities, corporate meetings, startup events, and missions within the Caribbean region. 

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARIFORUM nationals. Applicants must be legally authorised to live and work in the Dominican Republic. The Agency will not provide visa sponsorship or cover relocation expenses. This is a temporary consultancy that is intended to be carried out in-person in the office. The selected candidate will be required to work in the Subregional Office from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 

Interested applicants should submit an updated CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role to [email protected]. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications close on May 1^st, 2026. 

This contract will be considered an In-House Consultancy and individuals engaged will not be considered “staff members” of Caribbean Export Development Agency. Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the general terms and conditions for In-House Consultants. In-House Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.