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U.S. Embassy launches ESports Club at American Corner Antigua

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Caption: L-R – Elijah James- General Manager and Mentor of the Antigua and Barbuda Esports Club and Mrs. Ryllis Mannix- Library Director of the National Public Library of Antigua and Barbuda

A virtual opening ceremony launched the Antigua and Barbuda Esports Club at the American Corner on November 18.

Permanent Secretary Rosa Greenaway of the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Education, Sports, and Creative Industries joined U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Larry Socha, Esports Mentor Elijah James, students, and parents for the kick-off of the youth club.

James, an alumnus of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) U.S. exchange program, explained how the club combined gaming with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning to constructively engage youth in Antigua.

“Competitive electronic gaming is a billion-dollar industry that is an attractive job market for people with the right skills,” he said.  “This club will educate young people, ages 13-17, not only on gaming, but on critical thinking, leadership, and effective communication.”

U.S. Embassy representative Larry Socha said the club was made possible by an investment of more than US$25,000 by the U.S. government in equipment and personnel to sustain the club.

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“We’re thrilled to support the first ESports Club in the Eastern Caribbean right here in Antigua,” he said.  “With support from the Ministry, the American Corner, U.S. exchange alumni like Elijah James, and other partners, we’re able to offer a fun and educational opportunity for young people.”

Seventeen secondary school students were chosen to participate in the inaugural club based on their level of interest in STEM fields, sports, and game design.  Each student will have a leadership role in the organization.  They will be guided by a curriculum created by the North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and STEM education.  Participants will regularly compete with American and other regional clubs by playing popular games online.

Guest speakers from the ESports network and representatives of the higher education office of the U.S. Embassy, EducationUSA, will also engage the club.  Meetings will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays until July 2022.

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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]