Antigua Breaking News

Day: March 8, 2023

  • Counterfeit EC$100 paper notes in circulation

    Counterfeit EC$100 paper notes in circulation

    The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is urging the public to look out for counterfeit paper  EC$100 notes which are currently circulating in Antigua and Barbuda. The notes bear the serial numbers: VB0426226 and WD230137. The ECCB wishes to remind the public that counterfeit notes have no value and that it is a criminal offence…

  • Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative Opens Applications for Third Cohort of Incubator Program

    Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative Opens Applications for Third Cohort of Incubator Program

    The Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative (EC Greenpreneurs) is proud to announce the launch and call for applications for the third cohort of its Incubator program, aimed at supporting green entrepreneurs in the Eastern Caribbean region. Following the success of the first two cohorts in 2021 and 2022, the program once again seeks to help early-stage…

  • The Cameroonian migrants stranded on an island they had not heard of

    The Cameroonian migrants stranded on an island they had not heard of

    (BBC) — How did more than 600 Cameroonians come to find themselves stranded on a Caribbean island that many of them had never heard of? Journalist Gemma Handy reports from St John’s in Antigua. Daniel fights to hold back the tears as he recounts the day his two younger brothers were shot dead by militia…

  • CTO reports promising outlook for the region in 2023

    CTO reports promising outlook for the region in 2023

    Despite global pressures such as high inflation, the war in Ukraine, the ensuing energy crisis, and an impending economic recession, the outlook for Caribbean travel and tourism is favorable, according to the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Delivering the region’s 2022 “Tourism Performance and Outlook Report” in Bridgetown today, Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of…

  • Students to participate in Antigua and Barbuda Art Week

    Students to participate in Antigua and Barbuda Art Week

    The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will celebrate Antigua and Barbuda’s culture through the artwork of students across the twin-islands during Antigua and Barbuda Art Week taking place from April 16 – April 22, 2023. Students in Antigua and Barbuda between the ages of 5 – 17, are being encouraged to participate in the Antigua…

  • Politics and Negative Mental Health

    Politics and Negative Mental Health

    By: Dr. Oswald Thomas Leading up to the general elections in Antigua and Barbuda on January 18, 2023, and continuing to date, I have noticed how angry some sections of the population have become. I have even encountered a barrage of verbal attacks due to some statements or others that I made while appearing as…

  • Principal attacked by parent at Mary E Pigott Primary School

    Principal attacked by parent at Mary E Pigott Primary School

    (Observer by Newsco) — A primary school principal was attacked by an angry parent this morning, shocking students and staff. Christopher Roberts, who has been principal at the Mary E Pigott Primary School since 2015, was taken to hospital where his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. He was apparently grabbed from behind and…

  • Two men to be sentenced for rape

    Two men to be sentenced for rape

    (REAL News) — Even as rape convictions are being handed down in court, the Police are probing similar allegations that involve teenagers. On Monday, March 6, Amonikhe Brann appeared in the High Court of Justice facing two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 years. Brann appeared before Justice…

  • Villa man faces stiff fines for firearm and ammunition offenses

    Villa man faces stiff fines for firearm and ammunition offenses

    (REAL News) — A man was convicted of wounding in the High Court on Monday, March 6. Darren Giddings, who had been indicted for wounding with intent, appeared before Justice Williams and pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place last April 29, at Bird Road, Ottos. Sentencing was adjourned to Wednesday, March 8). Meanwhile,…

  • All Saints police investigate attempted arson at McPond

    All Saints police investigate attempted arson at McPond

    (REAL News) — A case of attempted arson is being investigated by the police after someone sought to destroy the home of a McPond, All Saints, woman. According to reports, the woman telephoned the All Saints Police Station and complained that some unknown person had broken into her house and attempted to set it on…

  • Happy International Women’s Day! DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality

    Happy International Women’s Day! DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality

    This administration is proud of its advancement of women into leadership roles in Parliament and the public service, such that today many of the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Key agencies, including the Chairman of the Port Authority, the Chief Immigration Officer, the Labour Commissioner, the CEO of the Airport Authority, the Chief Medical Officer,…

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]