Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698842500442.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
CARIBBEAN REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT: Grants Manager Terms of Reference Background The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (GoSVG) continues to leverage information and communication technologies (ICT) in meeting its development goals.

As part of the National ICT Strategy and Action Plan, the GoSVG is implementing the Caribbean Regional Communication Infrastructure Program (CARCIP).
This project is funded by the World Bank and is designed to (i) bridge the ICT infrastructure gaps at the national and regional levels, (ii) stimulate growth of the IT and IT-Enabled Services (ITES) sector and (iii) create an enabling environment that fosters competitive access to ICT infrastructure, the IT/ITES sector and other applications industry.

The project consists of three components: (1) Regional Connectivity Infrastructure; (2) ICT-led Innovation; and (3) Project Implementation Support.
In an effort to strengthen the ITES sector, funds have been allocated under component no.

2 of the CARCIP for ICT skills development and business incubation support.

To this end, the Economic Planning and Sustainable Development Division (EPSDD) in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology, is seeking to recruit a Grants Manager to assist the GoSVG in implementing targeted programs in ICT skills development, ICT certification, and business incubation.
The Grants Manager would be assigned to the EPSDD, and will be responsible for the implementation of the business incubation and training grants sub- component of the CARCIP.

The position will be a contracted full time staff position and work will be performed on site at the office of the EPSDD, located in Kingstown, St. Vincent.

Objective The overall objective of the assignment is to improve the capacity of ICT/ITES industry to create jobs and increase the national output.
Accordingly, performance-based subsidies amounting to approximately US$ 1.6 million have been provided as follows: 1.

Skills training grants US$0.525 million 2. Business Incubation grants US$1.075 million Scope of Assignment The Grants Manager will be responsible for implementation of the ongoing skills training and business incubation grants sub-component of the CARCIP.
The duties will include: (i) General Management 1 • Develop and agree with EPSDD on a work plan encompassing a detailed delivery schedule for each grant award.

• Develop a communication plan inclusive of a budget for the implementation of the Grants Programme.

• Establish and maintain a record keeping system in compliance with EPSDD administrative procedures to track all in-coming and out-going correspondence and documentation.
• Establish and maintain a register of complaints received from any source in relation to the grants and actions taken to resolve complaints.

The Grants Manager will advise EPSDD immediately of any complaint received and obtain clearance before responding.

• Promote the achievement of the Grants programme in conjunction with the Agency for public Information (API) and the media.

• Maintain an asset register of all equipment procured under the Grants Manager sub- project.
• Provide updates to the Project Coordinator on the grants sub-component when necessary.

(ii) Grants Award Process • Ensure adequate publicity of grant achievement and incubation success.

• Prepare evaluation reports of proposals in compliance with World Bank procurement guidelines.

• Assist with preparation of contracts and grant agreements and manage existing agreements.
• Approve, subject to the Project Coordinator’s no-objection, business and training plans which fall within the threshold for approval by the Grants Manager.

• Make recommendations to the Project Coordinator and the Project Steering Committee on business and training plans whose investment costs are above the Grants Manager’s threshold for approval.
(iii) Grant implementation due diligence and management • Ensure due diligence on all funded subprojects by performing technical and financial due diligence on each grant proposal made by firms; ensuring that the procurement procedures specified in the Manual have been adhered to and verifying all invoices before submitting them through the Project Coordinator for payment.

• Establish and maintain a monitoring and evaluation regime acceptable to the EPSDD.
• Provide progress reports for all grant awardees (this can be consolidated into one report).

• Provide detailed project performance indicators in accordance with M&E Framework in consultation with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in EPSDD.

• Assist the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit with the development and implementation of related surveys to address emerging priorities and informational needs.

• Assist in quarterly reviews of the grant program portfolio by the CARCIP Steering Committee.
2 DELIVERABLES The expected deliverables are as follows: Deliverables Completion of Workplan Completion of communication plan Monthly monitoring reports Quarterly Progress reports (Calendar) Completion Report REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Timing Commencement date + 1 month Commencement date + 1 month By the contract completion date The Grants Manager will report to the Project Coordinator for the CARCIP.
The Consultant will submit to the Project Coordinator, three (3) bound copies and an electronic copy of all reports.

Reports will be reviewed by EPSDD and the World Bank.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF CONSULTANT The Grants Manager will be an individual consultant with the following qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in business or related field required, an MBA will be an asset.

• Ability to manage beneficiaries.

• Excellent negotiation skills.


• Experience with business continuity plans and procedures and Business Case Development.

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the delivery of business development services.

• Previous experience in managing grants or similar technical assistance programs.

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations.

• Proven success with achieving consensus with multiple stakeholders.

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