Manager, Research and Policy

Are you an accomplished Research professional with a passion for the financial services industry and for regulatory matters? If you answered yes, this may be your opportunity. Please see details below.

Background and context

Profiles Caribbean Inc. is working collaboratively with our client, Financial Services Commission, to select suitable candidates for the role of Manager, Research and Policy. The Financial Services Commission of Barbados was established on April 1, 2011, by an Act of Parliament. The FSC regulates and supervises non-bank financial institutions including credit unions, insurance firms, and intermediaries, securities firms, mutual funds and occupational pension plans. The FSC supervises non-bank financial institutions licensed to conduct business within the jurisdiction as well as institutions conducting business in the international financial sector..

Job Summary

The Manager, Research and Policy, is responsible for the development and coordination of empirical and other research and the development and coordination of research and technical support to assist in policy formation. The Manager, Research and Policy is also responsible for the management of statistical information, the timely production of industry statistics, financial analysis, financial modelling, forecasting key prudential indicators and simulating stress testing scenarios.

Duties and Responsibilities Summary (Key Tasks include but not limited to):

• Leading and coordinating the research work of the organisation including developing, implementing, and maintaining an annual research programme.
• Leading and coordinating the policy work of the organisation including developing and maintaining a supervisory and regulatory policy agenda.
• Facilitating the development, coordination, drafting and update of supervisory and regulatory policies, guidelines, and other policy related information to support the FSC’s oversight of the financial sector and the implementation of its legislative objectives.
• Managing various workstreams including but not limited to those related to Financial Stability, Climate-related risks, Global Forum, Financial Sector Assessment Programme including preparing and disseminating relevant reports.
• Conducting empirical and policy-related research on key and emerging regulatory and supervisory issues including evaluating potential changes in key economic variables that may introduce changes to systemic risk.
• Scanning for and evaluating emerging trends and opportunities with the potential to impact the non-bank financial services sector.
• Pioneering the creation, management, collation, analysis, presentation, and dissemination of statistical information related to regulated industries for use by internal and external stakeholders.
• Reviewing statistics and providing recommendations on new/enhanced statistical methodologies as well as recommendations on improvement to the statistical forms and financial returns.
• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with the supervisory divisions in furtherance of matters related to stress-testing, statistical operations, policy development, legislation, regulations, guidelines, circulars, processes, and procedures.
• Keeping the supervisory divisions apprised of non-bank financial services related supervisory trends and developments.
• Participating in and presenting at technical research seminars related to financial regulation, financial stability and making presentations in various forums.
• Participating in relationship building and collaborations with other regulators and supervisory standard setting bodies, locally, regionally, and internationally in areas related to financial stability, macro-prudential supervision, and exchange of information and cooperation and financial services.
• Developing and managing a library including a virtual library of work and information related to non-bank financial services to facilitate internal and external research.
• Supporting and assisting leadership in formulating and implementing strategy for the organisation, developing goals and objectives and tactics to accomplish the goals, providing strategic advice on division plans, priorities, issues, and challenges.
• Managing and supervising day-to-day operations and activities of the division and its staff including:
• preparing and providing information related to the operations of the Division and research on the regulated sectors including performance metrics for the division and
• supervising and ensuring that staff conduct comprehensive macro-prudential reviews and analyse submitted statistics.
• overseeing staff in conducting regular environmental scans of areas impacting supervision of the non-bank financial services sector.
• building a strong disciplined team, including participating in or leading recruitment, onboarding, training and coaching of staff, developing and implementing effective performance standards, conducting performance reviews, managing performance and fostering continuous learning and self-development.
• monitoring and taking steps to foster compliance with the organisation’s policies, procedures, and standards while fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

▪ Delivering on other assigned ad hoc or related tasks.

Requirement re: Experience and Qualifications

• MSc in Economics or Finance or equivalent qualification and three years’ experience in a senior statistics or data management role or researcher role
• Experience in a financial regulatory authority is key.
• Extensive qualitative and quantitative analytical experience.
• Proven people management skills with the ability to develop, lead, coach, and build team motivation and collaboration.
• Proven ability to lead complex work, within a policymaking, analytical or coordination and or advisory role.
• Understanding of Barbados’, Caribbean, and/or international financial services.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in the use of relevant technology tools and applications including Microsoft 365, and statistical tools.
• Strong understanding of non-bank financial services issues and business, particularly as it relates to regulation.
• Proven ability to develop, implement and evaluate policy as it relates to financial services or regulation.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Proven experience analysing large amounts of complex information, identifying relevant issues and implications, and making links to other work.
• Ability to clarify the nature of a problem and its scope and provide focus for consequent analysis.
• Strong project management skills in relation to planning, prioritising, and allocating work within the Division with a proven ability to drive delivery and respond to stringent external timelines.
• Ability to identify, build and manage relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, use sound judgement, including being prepared to make reasoned decisions in circumstances of limited or inconclusive information.
• Collaborative and inclusive approach - understanding others' needs and perspectives and persuasively presenting your own views, finding mutually beneficial solutions.
• Ability to keep apprised of industry standards and developments.
• Innovative thinking on how to effectively deal with new complex issues

Applications

If you meet the requirements outlined above, and you are ready for a senior role that provides ongoing opportunities for you to excel in your field while contributing to the ongoing development of the Research and Policy functions, this may be an excellent opportunity for you. Please email your cover letter and CV or Resume for the attention of:

Rohan Malone, Senior Associate – Talent Acquisition using the caption FSC Manager, Research and Policy.

Closing date for applications is August 13^th, 2023.