Country Director – Caribbean Country

Focus of the Role

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere. 

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. 

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Job Introduction

Our Advisory Practice is growing in the Caribbean, with exciting plans for 2023 to expand our impact, the number of countries in which we operate, and the size of our teams. TBI is looking to hire an exceptional Country Director to lead a team in one of several Caribbean countries, supporting an ambitious transformation agenda set out by the President/ Prime Minister. The role will report to our Director – Americas. The person will be based full-time in the country in question on a 1-year contract, with likelihood of extension.

TBI is recruiting for several specific positions in the Caribbean however, should these roles no longer be available we would like to invite you to be included in a pool of candidates that will be considered for deployment to other new country projects in the region (and, potentially, projects in the wider Americas).

Please state in your cover letter what lead time you would require for deployment to a full-time position in the region, and whether you are content for your application to be considered across a range of potential roles and held for future projects.

Key Responsibilities

Overall, the Country Director will provide day-to-day advisory support directly to a President/ Prime Minister and their senior team, ensuring continual coordination and discipline across government to maintain strategic focus, careful alignment of policies and resources so that the most transformative initiatives are prioritised, and identification of delivery approaches that can rapidly and radically scale the impacts achieved.

Examples of areas of focus include digitization of public services and technologically-drive reform of the public sector, climate change and international financing of related infrastructure, and policing and crime.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Country Directors have the following accountabilities and responsibilities:

Client relationship

• Through the delivery of quality and relevant insights, build and maintain a relationship of trust with the President/ Prime Minister and other senior counterparts
• Identify and pitch key development priorities that TBI could be supporting to clients, which place sustainable social and economic development at their core
• Hold operational accountability for the effective management of client relationships with co-development (with Regional Director or Director) of account prospects

Team management and internal coordination

• Provide detailed direction to the TBI in-country team across workstreams, ensuring efficient project planning, effective task allocation, pertinent content development and follow-through
• Provide direct support to your team when needed, including through sharing content knowledge, supporting in analysis or in development of client deliverables
• Be receptive to team’s professional and personal concerns, ensuring their well-being and acting as a coach to improve their professional skills and on the job satisfaction
• Ensure projects bring the very best of TBI to clients by harnessing the skills, knowledge, and capacity of political, policy, and research functions across TBI, including the Global Client Solutions team
• Hold final accountability for the quality, timeliness, and scope alignment of client-facing deliverables

Administration

• Hold final accountability for the efficacy and efficiency of project teaming, including management of performance reviews for the project team
• Keep the Regional Director or Director thoroughly updated on workstream progress and potential bottlenecks
• Lead the development of internal TBI policies for the country, risk register and emergency security package, and ensure TBI staff follow country protocols
• Contribute to regional business development and recruiting efforts
• Support the development and management of resources (advisory and operational) across the regional portfolio

Person Specification

• Broad and comprehensive professional experience of which must include holding an advisory function to senior government clients
• A graduate degree in public administration, economics, international relations or political sciences; under-graduate degrees and graduate degrees in other areas can be considered with relevant equivalent experience
• Strong experience working in strategy development, particularly experience in management consulting, is highly advantageous
• Proven ability to lead engagement with public sector clients, with experience in Caribbean nations being a distinct advantage
• Expertise in a topic and/or function salient to public sector advisory (i.e. public policy, government administration, economic development, digital transformation etc)
• Ability to effectively manage small-to-mid sized teams comprising a variety of skill-sets, nationalities and cultural backgrounds with an ethos focused on team success and genuine motivation for colleagues’ performance, growth and well-being
• An ability to work independently, think strategically and produce well-structured client-ready deliverables, including PowerPoint. A hands-on attitude, not shy on rolling sleeves up to support in the development of PPT presentations
• Excellent interpersonal and presentational skills; able to quickly establish his or her credibility with the client
• A strong motivation to make a difference
• Ability to operate within sometimes sensitive political contexts and be attuned to potential areas of conflict or tension. Apply sound judgement in all external engagements on behalf of TBI
• An awareness of international relations trends, particularly related to the Caribbean countries and CARICOM
• A high level of comfort working in a fast-paced environment and handling multiple diverse workstreams at once while maintaining the ability to prioritise effectively
• Strong written communication and executive reporting skills
• Business fluency in English required

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