Job Title: Policy & Political Strategy Lead
Reports To: Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Location: Barbados
Employment Type: Full-time
About Us: A New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Gateway for the Caribbean
Across the Caribbean, access to essential medicines still depends on distant and often vulnerable supply chains. When those systems are disrupted, the consequences are immediate, affecting health systems, economies, and communities alike.
Barbados Pharmaceutical Inc. (BPI) was established to help change that trajectory.
As a pharmaceutical sector accelerator and investment facilitator, BPI is building manufacturing capacity and supply chain resilience across the Caribbean while creating a gateway that connects regional demand with global pharmaceutical expertise, investment, and technology.
This is not simply about developing an industry. It is about strengthening health security, enabling economic diversification, and positioning the Caribbean within global pharmaceutical value chains. Through partnerships with manufacturers, investors, governments, and research institutions, BPI is creating opportunities to build, invest, and scale pharmaceutical production for the region and beyond.
Job Summary
The Policy & Political Strategy Lead is responsible for driving the development and execution of strategic policy initiatives that strengthen domestic production, enhance Barbados’ regional and international policy positioning, and advance political objectives through coordinated engagement. The role serves as a key advisor on public policy, regional diplomacy, and intergovernmental strategy, with a focus on multilateral and high-level policy forums, ensuring alignment between national priorities and external advocacy efforts.
Key Responsibilities
- Domestic Policy Development and Coordination
- Identify, assess, and recommend policy directives that strengthen Barbados’ domestic production and manufacturing environment.
- Consult and collaborate with ministries, government agencies, private sector entities, and multisectoral stakeholders to develop practical policy solutions.
- Conduct policy analysis to identify legislative, regulatory, and institutional reforms needed to support local industry growth.
- Prepare policy briefs, Cabinet submissions, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership.
- Monitor implementation of approved policy measures and recommend adjustments as needed.
- Regional and International Engagement Strategy
- Develop and implement a regional engagement strategy to advance Barbados’ manufacturing and economic interests.
- Identify opportunities to position Barbados within global pharmaceutical value chains through bilateral and multilateral engagement, including regional and global forums, summits, and technical platforms for advocacy and influence.
- Coordinate BPI’s engagement at major global and regional forums (e.g. World Health Assembly, regional sector summits), including delegation preparation, bilateral meeting organisation, and briefing materials for senior
- Craft political and technical narratives to support Barbados’ policy positions in bilateral, regional, and multilateral settings.
- Build strategic alliances with regional governments, development partners, and technical agencies to advance shared objectives.
- Support negotiations and policy discussions that improve the regional manufacturing incentive landscape.
- Policy Papers and Intergovernmental Resolutions
- Lead internal and external audit, risk or compliance processes, including preparation of schedules and supporting documentation.
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax laws, and applicable business regulations.
- Monitor changes in financial regulations and recommend updates to policies and procedures.
- Address audit findings and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Liaise with auditors, tax authorities, regulators, and external stakeholders as required.
- Political Strategy and Stakeholder Management
- Advise leadership on the political implications of policy decisions and regional developments.
- Maintain strong relationships with government officials, regional institutions, private sector leaders, and civil society stakeholders.
- Anticipate emerging risks, opportunities, and shifts in the regional political environment.
- Represent the organization/government in meetings, consultations, and strategic forums as required.
- Exercise discretion in handling politically sensitive information and confidential intergovernmental engagements.
- Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Economics, Law, or related field.
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in public policy, government affairs, diplomacy, political strategy, or related fields.
- Experience in public policy, government affairs, diplomacy, or political strategy, including direct experience drafting Cabinet-level submissions or intergovernmental resolutions.
- Strong understanding of Barbados’ governance systems and regional institutions such as CARICOM and OECS.
- Proven experience drafting policy papers, resolutions, and strategic advisory documents.
- Experience engaging with senior government officials and multisectoral stakeholders.
- Experience engaging directly with senior government officials, ministers, diplomatic representatives, and multisectoral stakeholders including multilateral coordination and delegation management.
- Resource mobilisation and donor-facing communication
- Experience in health policy, industrial policy, trade policy, or investment promotion is strongly preferred.
- Exposure to pharmaceutical, manufacturing, or healthcare sector or public healthy policy environments is an asset.
- Writing samples (policy briefs, position papers, or comparable documents) will be required at application stage.
Key Competencies
- Experience coordinating senior leadership engagement in major international forums
- Strategic and political acumen
- Strong policy analysis and research skills
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Negotiation and stakeholder engagement
- Diplomatic judgment and discretion
- Leadership and project management
- Ability to work in complex, fast-paced political environments
- Working proficiency in relevant regional languages
All applications should be sent to hr_bpi@investbarbados.org, with a copy to NMason@investbarbados.org by June 22, 2026.