Executive Director - Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

The Role

The Executive Director (ED) reports directly to the CCCCC Board of Governors and is accountable to the CCCCC Board of Governors; as such he/she will engage with the Board on the general direction of the organisation, prepare and submit key decisions, and generally keep the Board apprised of all relevant developments.

The ED charts a course for and oversees the continued development of the Centre, ensuring that the Centre continues to be recognized as a Centre of Excellence, building upon existing partnerships and creating new partnerships with similar institutions at all levels.

The ED will be a public champion for the organization and its mission and be an advocate for addressing the challenge climate change poses for the Caribbean Region. Ensuring that the Region’s climate change policy agenda is effectively communicated internally and externally. He or she will work closely with regional organizations, national governments, the private sector, bilateral, multi-lateral and international organizations to deliver on the organization’s objectives and its wider ambitions to contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development of member states.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare a viable, three-year, rolling business plan, for annual submission to and subsequent approval by the Board, aimed at contributing to financial viability of the centre, including the identification of fund-raising initiatives that can be carried out at all levels;  
• Oversee the preparation of annual reports, action plans and strategies to deal with implementation issues related to the operations of the entre for submission to and subsequent approval by the board.   
•  Ensure proper financial management of the organisation, overseeing the overall management of all accounts, consistent with the financial procedures of the Centre and submitting to the board for its approval, quarterly financial statements and biannual budget estimates for the operations of the centre;
• Lead the development of a corporate strategic plan and priorities for the work programme including resource mobilization
• Lead resource mobilization and where appropriate establish formal collaborative agreements.
• Build and lead the team of CCCCC employees, in line with the organization’s strategic plan and needs. 
• Lead the execution of strategies, originating, developing and managing a portfolio of development projects and initiatives consistent with the development impact and financial sustainability objectives of the organization.
• Research, develop and implement programmes and resource partnerships with relevant agencies of the International Agencies, donors, non-governmental organizations and experts in the field of climate change sustainable that leverage resources to meet the centre’s programme objectives;
• Direct the provision of technical, legal and institutional advice and assistance to the centre’s member states in the implementation of their obligations under the United Nations framework convention on climate change.   
• Develop, regularly update and implement a Board-approved public relations programme, on all aspects of the centre’s work, at the national, regional and international levels.

​Priority Work Agenda

High priority for the new ED will be to table his/her credibility by defining and achieving a few quick wins early on and through the development of a positive relationship with internal and external stakeholders and the development and implementation of a resources mobilization strategy.

The ED must quickly demonstrate a full and effective understanding of the Centre’s strategies, policies and a sound understanding of the operating environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• This role requires an individual with knowledge of best practices with respect to accountability and reporting for organisations and of governance principles and best practices with respect to boards of governors.
• The ideal candidate must have a sound understanding of Caribbean economic and social development issues and national trends of macro-economic level concerns related to national determined contributions and sustainable development goals.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate a complex suite of stakeholders and to nurture relationships in a domestic and international context;
• The ED must have a successful track record of leading and motivating diverse and multifunctional team and demonstrate excellent representational skills that will enhance the profile of the centre both regionally and internationally.

The successful candidate must have:   



• At a minimum an MSc but preferably a PhD Degree in the natural sciences or resource economics  

• 10 -15 years post graduate experience with at least eight years’ experience at a senior management level, with responsibility for managing and mentoring multidisciplinary teams of professionals in national, regional and/or international organisations.   

• Citizenship of a CARICOM member countries 

Function Specific Competencies

1. Strong leadership, relationship-management and change management skills with a proven track record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment.

2. Demonstrated ability to focus on corporate values, mission and long-term goals and to develop plans, strategies and methods for accomplishing objectives and for measuring results against plans.

3. An exceptionally high ability to communicate effectively, sending clear and convincing messages to a diverse audience which includes executive management, the board of governors and government officials.

4. Highly developed problem solving and critical thinking skills.

5. Strong interpersonal skills with ability to foster networks and partnerships.

6. Excellent representational skills that will enhance the profile of the organisation.

7. A strong ability to drive results and hold others accountable - setting high standards and ambitious goals and objectives for self and others, and holding self and others accountable to deliver at their highest levels.

8. Demonstrated ability to integrate broad areas of knowledge and to operationalise strategies and policies to achieve desired outcomes.

9. Ability to write and speak fluently in English. 

10. Knowledge in at least one of the other regional languages (Spanish, French or Dutch) will be an asset. 

Salary/Benefits

A salary and benefit package will be negotiated commensurate with qualifications, experience and achievements of the successful candidate. 

Contract Period

3-year contract (with a six month probation) renewable based on performance 

Job Location

City of Belmopan, Belize, Central America