CTO Vacancy: Deputy Director of Research

SUMMARY

As the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) advances its mandate as the region’s leading regional source of tourism intelligence, the Research Department plays a central role in delivering robust analyses, evidence-based insights, and data-driven policy guidance to Member countries and partners.  It is committed to strengthening evidence-based decision-making and policy formation.

The Deputy Director of Research is a management position within the Research Department of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Reporting to the Director of Research, the Deputy Director serves as the Department’s Technical Statistical Lead, responsible for safeguarding methodological integrity, strengthening statistical systems, and leading the development and validation of forecasting and econometric models that support CTO’s tourism intelligence mandate.

The role focuses on statistical governance, modelling architecture, data quality assurance, and regional harmonisation of tourism statistics. The Deputy Director provides technical validation of statistical outputs prior to institutional approval and represents CTO on technical statistical matters at regional and international levels.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Statistical Methodology & Governance

• Develop, maintain and strengthen statistical standards, metadata protocols, and validation procedures for CTO’s tourism data systems.
• Establish and oversee methodological frameworks to ensure accuracy, consistency, comparability and reliability of tourism statistics across member countries.
• Lead the development of statistical quality assurance mechanisms, including data verification, reconciliation and validation processes.
• Review and confirm the accuracy of statistics before they are issued.
• Promote adherence to international and regional statistical best practices and ethical standards in data management and analysis.

2. Forecasting & Econometric Modelling

• Design, implement and maintain regional tourism forecasting frameworks, including time-series and econometric models.
• Apply advanced quantitative techniques such as ARIMA/SARIMA models, vector autoregression (VAR), panel data models and related methodologies where appropriate.
• Conduct model validation, back-testing and forecast accuracy assessment using established diagnostic measures (e.g., MAPE, RMSE and related metrics).
• Continuously refine forecasting systems to incorporate new data inputs, structural shifts and emerging trends.
• Provide technical guidance on scenario modelling and quantitative outlooks to inform strategic analysis.

3. Statistical Systems Architecture & Data Quality

• Strengthen and harmonise regional statistical systems in collaboration with CTO member states.
• Develop frameworks for data standardisation, classification alignment and cross-country comparability.
• Provide technical oversight of survey design, sampling methodologies and statistical estimation techniques, as required.
• Support improvements in tourism measurement systems, including integration with broader economic and sectoral statistical frameworks.
• Evaluate emerging statistical tools and technologies that enhance modelling and analytical capacity.

4. Regional Statistical Harmonisation & Capacity Building

• Work closely with member countries’ tourism research and statistical agencies to improve data collection, reporting consistency and methodological coherence.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to member states on statistical methods, forecasting techniques and analytical standards.
• Lead or support technical missions, workshops and training initiatives as assigned by the Director of Research.
• Contribute to the strengthening of statistical capacity across the region to enhance evidence-based decision-making.

5. Technical Supervision & Departmental Support

• Directly supervise the Statistical Specialist, Database Administrator and Database Statistical Assistant and oversee technical statistical work within the Department.
• Provide technical guidance and methodological oversight to Research Analysts, and other staff engaged in statistical production.
• Review and validate statistical analyses, datasets and modelling outputs for accuracy and methodological soundness.
• Support the Director in ensuring that departmental outputs meet high technical and professional standards.

6. Representation & External Engagement

• Represent CTO on technical statistical matters at regional and international fora, including engagements with UN Tourism, CARICOM, IATA and other relevant bodies, as assigned.
• Contribute to technical discussions on tourism measurement, data systems and forecasting methodologies.
• Support the Director of Research in advancing CTO’s leadership role in regional tourism intelligence.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Econometrics, Data Science or a closely related quantitative discipline; or
• A postgraduate qualification in a quantitative field combined with substantial applied statistical and econometric experience at a senior technical level.

Experience and Technical Competence

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressive experience in applied statistical analysis, econometric modelling, time-series analysis, and quantitative research.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, validating, and diagnosing forecasting and econometric models, including the use of forecast-accuracy and performance metrics (e.g., MAPE, RMSE, or comparable measures).
• Proficiency in statistical and data management software and programming environments (e.g., R, Python, SQL, or similar).
• Experience translating complex analytical outputs into operational tools, dashboards, and decision-support systems.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership or oversight of statistical work and to communicate complex quantitative findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Competencies

• Experience working with tourism statistics or Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) frameworks.
• Familiarity with machine learning applications in forecasting and statistical modelling.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

• High level of analytical rigour and methodological integrity.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentor analytical staff.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Strategic awareness of the role of statistics in policy and decision-making.
• Professional judgement, discretion and adherence to ethical standards.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The incumbent will be expected to perform the essential functions and duties of the job under normal working conditions and standard business working hours within Barbados.
• Flexibility to work overtime beyond the normal work hours, such as in the evenings and/or weekends as necessary to complete required duties and functions and meet deadlines.
• In person and virtual meetings with clients and stakeholders.
• Travel for business within and outside the region is required.
• A dynamic working environment

APPLICATIONS

If you meet the criteria outlined above and are interested in this exciting career opportunity, please submit a letter of interest along with your curriculum vitae. Your CV should include the names and contact information of two referees. All applications should be addressed as follows:

 Application for the post of

Deputy Director of Research

Profiles Caribbean Inc., Belmont Road, P.O. Box 687, St. Michael, Barbados

To apply: Kindly send your Cover Letetr and CV or Resume using the 

Apply Now portal

The deadline for the receipt of applications is Monday, 23 March 2026.

 *Kindly note that only those persons selected for interviews will be acknowledged.