Consumer Protection Legal Advisor

This is a remote position.

The Caribbean Business Enabling Environment Reform Activity (CBEE-R) is a three-year regional project in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) that aims to assist 10 ESC countries to develop an improved enabling environment for resilient business and investment and engage the private sector in policy assessment, development, and implementation.  Those 10 ESC countries include the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Creating an environment where more companies comply with regulatory requirements is an important goal for CBEE-R.  Preparing businesses to drive economic growth while operating in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is not only a legal imperative but also a strategic imperative for sustainable business success. By embracing consumer protection principles, businesses can build trust, foster innovation, and contribute to a thriving economy while safeguarding consumer interests.

In today's dynamic business landscape, sustainable growth is intricately linked with adherence to regulatory frameworks, particularly those safeguarding consumer rights. Grenada’s CPA stands as a cornerstone for fostering fair trade practices, ensuring consumer welfare, and fostering a healthy business environment. 

It is in this context that CBEE-R is supporting Grenada with a suite of activities to empower businesses for sustainable economic growth by ensuring compliance with the CPA.  In addition to this assignment, CBEE-R will support the development and production of two public service announcements; and training workshops. The latter two project activities are intended to enhance business awareness about the provisions of the CPA, their rights and responsibilities, and the implications of non-compliance.

Objective 

The Consumer Protection Legal Advisor will work with the Consumer Affairs Office, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Labour and Consumer Affairs to develop a compliance framework to provide a structured approach for businesses to align with the CPA; facilitate collaboration between businesses and regulatory authorities; and develop and deliver a consultative workshop for the private sector and regulatory authorities on consumer protection issues. 

This position is short-term, and the level of effort will be 30 days within a three-month period. The Consumer Protection Legal Advisor will report to the CBEE-R Chief of Party.  

Job Description:   

The Consumer Protection Legal Advisor will: 

a.      Develop a robust compliance framework tailored to the specific needs of businesses, encompassing policies, procedures and monitoring mechanisms to ensure adherence to the CPA.   The compliance framework should provide a structured approach for businesses to align with the CPA. By adhering to this framework, businesses can ensure not only compliance with legal requirements, but also build trust with consumers, enhance their reputation, and mitigate the risks of legal penalties or consumer disputes.

b.     Facilitate collaboration between businesses and regulatory authorities, to clarify regulatory requirements, seek guidance on compliance issues and participate in industry-wide initiatives for consumer protection and business sustainability. 

c.      Develop and deliver a consultative workshop, where private sector and regulatory authorities can meet to discuss pertinent matters related to consumer/private sector harmony, in order to advance economic growth.  These regulatory authorities include – the Grenada Authority for the Regulation of Financial Institutions (GARFIN); the National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC); the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB); the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC); the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA); the Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS); Office of the Integrity Commission; and the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF). 

Qualifications 

The candidate shall have the following experience and qualifications: 

·       Bachelor’s degree in law;  

·       Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working with consumer laws and regulations (locally, regionally and internationally), commercial law, commercial and contract law;   

·       Familiarity with the regulatory framework governing consumer affairs and the relevant enforcement mechanisms;

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills;   

·       Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team in a collaborative manner;  

·       Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with public and private sector leaders and stakeholders; 

·       Effective coordination skills and an ability to work under pressure in a multicultural environment to complete multiple tasks and meet deadlines. 

Deliverables 

·       Detailed Work Plan detailing the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, approach to the assignment and timelines for completion. 

·       Consumer protection business compliance framework;

·       Collaboration mechanism between businesses and regulatory authorities on consumer protection issues;