Antigua Breaking News

Day: October 21, 2021

  • UK adds nerve disorder as rare side-effect of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    UK adds nerve disorder as rare side-effect of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    Europe’s medicines regulator has added an extremely rare nerve-damaging disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome, as a possible side-effect of AstraZeneca’s (AZN.L) COVID-19 vaccine, regular safety updates from the watchdog showed on Wednesday. The European Medicines Agency said a causal relationship between GBS and the AstraZeneca shot, known as Vaxzevria, was a “at least a reasonable possibility” after…

  • Drop in Air Quality Levels due to Saharan Dust

    Drop in Air Quality Levels due to Saharan Dust

    Air Quality Index Based on Particulate Matters 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 (PM10) Concentration Air quality category: Moderate Location: Antigua and Barbuda Timing: Until Sunday Synopsis: The air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated primarily with a fresh surge in Saharan Dust. There is also high…

  • Colombian, main suspect in assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, arrested in Jamaica

    Colombian, main suspect in assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, arrested in Jamaica

    A main suspect who’s wanted by international law enforcement in connection with the assassination of Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse, has been arrested in Jamaica. Colombian national and former military officer, Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios is in the custody of Jamaican law enforcement authorities. Palacios is wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL. It’s not…

  • LETTER: My admiration and concerns about Observer AM morning host Darren Matthew-Ward

    LETTER: My admiration and concerns about Observer AM morning host Darren Matthew-Ward

    DEAR EDITOR: I am using this medium to express my admiration and concerns about Observer AM morning host Darren Matthew-Ward. Let me say before I begin, I still listen to and love your morning show, which I’ve never once missed. Below is minor concerns I have with interviews conducted with current elected officials. First off…

  • Police appeal for assistance to locate family of Dwayne Emmanuel

    Police appeal for assistance to locate family of Dwayne Emmanuel

    Police are appealing for assistance to locate the family of Dwayne Emmanuel of Cashew Hill. He was picked up by Dockyard Police at Bethesda this morning around 6:30 am. He was transported to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center for medical assessment. Anyone with information can immediately contact Dockyard Police Station at 460-1002 or Police…

  • LETTER: Resilience, Reflection, Recovery and Skullduggery

    LETTER: Resilience, Reflection, Recovery and Skullduggery

    DEAR EDITOR: To my fellow employee, let me help you, I saw you made an effort in trying to plead your case, rightfully so let me show you how it is done. Permanent Secretary of ABTB What is really your role within the Antigua & Barbuda Transport Board? Isn’t your role a more vital role,…

  • LISTEN: Sir Molwyn wants residents to utilize rural cemeteries

    LISTEN: Sir Molwyn wants residents to utilize rural cemeteries

    Residents are being urged to utilize rural cemeteries, as the St. John’s Cemetery near capacity. Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph says there are an additional 24 burial sites which are underutilized. Last month Chief Health Inspector Sharon Martin confirmed that the public cemetery is running out of space for new burials. Martin said this is…

  • Antigua loses major shipping service Crowley

    Antigua loses major shipping service Crowley

    The following changes to our Caribbean islands service are effective Saturday, October 9. These adjustments provide a more reliable sailing schedule between Port Everglades, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, so our customers can plan their shipments effectively. USVI (ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX) AND BVI (TORTOLA & VIRGIN GORDA): Sailings will…

  • CABINET NOTES of Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021

    CABINET NOTES of Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021

    Cabinet convened at about 10:30 am with all members attending, virtually and face-to-face. 1. The Cabinet requested the Honourable Minister of Health to provide a report on the Covid-19 situation in Antigua and Barbuda. Although he made a similar report to parliament the day prior, the Minister provided more details. 1.i. It is evident that…

  • Eat Right: Foods that boost the health of your lungs

    Eat Right: Foods that boost the health of your lungs

    Keeping your lungs healthy is essential. Yet, eating an inflammatory diet, smoking and environmental toxins will take a toll on this important organ. Then there are maladies such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis that can significantly affect our quality of life However, all is not lost and we can reduce…

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]. 

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]