David M Gomez, Phd Email & Phone Number

I am leading the delivery of research and policy services around key themes such as climate change, ESG, and sustainability strategy. I work closely with senior policy makers, heads of relevant public and private organisations, and stakeholders in Commonwealth member states to strengthen their policy capacities and response to the myriad development challenges they face. I also work closely with colleagues across the Commonwealth and the wider development community to monitor developments related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), build coalition around key themes, and convene meetings, webinars and local and international events that bring together policy makers, thought leaders, and stakeholders, including those without a voice.

Belize, Central America

I am the co-founder and practice lead on sustainability, public policy, and trade (SME value chains optimisation) with specialist expertise in sustainability strategy, ESG, sustainable value chain optimisation; governance, services trade development; and international trade policy analysis. I have an outstanding track record of successfully embedding sustainability principles and practices in the core systems of enterprises and organisations, delivering trade capacity development projects, governance reviews for regional and multilateral institutions, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement and management. I have also delivered a wide range of market and policy research activities and effective stakeholder engagement strategies for my own firm as well as several public and private sector organisations.

London, United Kingdom

As Legal and Governance Adviser under the Consultancy for the review of Caribbean Community Institutions (RCCI) (I1178) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness, I contributed to the Legal and Governance (L&G) team with reviewing the legal and governance status of seventeen CARICOM institutions. This involved reviewing their mandates and evaluating the extent to which each of the institutions were delivering on this as well as evaluating whether the governance arrangements of the separate institutions were appropriate for allowing the institutions to deliver their functions and services effectively. Finally this involved making recommendations on improving these areas and contributing to the wider consultancy about making the institutions fit for purpose in the medium to long term.

London, United Kingdom

Provided effective research and secretariat support to the High Level Group appointed by the Commonwealth Secretary General to review the governance arrangements of the institution.

Independent

As Legislative and Policy Expert under a project for evaluating the legislating and regulatory environment for select economies in the Caribbean region, funded by the Organisation of America States (OAS), I conducted a situational assessment of the legislative and policy frameworks for small business development in five Caribbean states; engaged a range of stakeholders from senior policy makers to heads of business support organisations and owners of SMEs; drafted Strategic Plans for national Small Business Development programs in each of the five countries; and developed policy recommendations for improving small business development in the relevant states.

Caribbean Nations

Project Manager with the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS) serving the wider Caribbean region including the OECS, Jamaica, Belize, Cuba, D.R. and Trinidad & Tobago. Articulated and led strategy to build the ACCS through articulating and implementing a strategic work plan. Secured over US$350,000 in project financing; developed a national training plan; drafted a strategic framework for the ACCS as well as a Financial Sustainability Framework and plan; facilitated the development of new partnerships and helped raise the profile of the organization.

Botswana

As the Key Expert, Results Management for a consulting assignment to develop a national Aid-for-Trade strategy for Botswana I helped identify key areas for trade development and also developed the results management framework. This assignment was commissioned by the Commonwealth Secretariat and delivered in cooperation with Preville and Associates Consulting.

Trinidad & Tobago And Jamaica

Conducted stocktaking to assess the organizational state of play in exporTT as a follow up to the benchmarking assessment for exporTT completed in 2013 and designed a Performance Improvement Roadmap as well as implemented follow up technical assistance and training with the management and staff of the agency. Also, responsible for undertaking a benchmarking assessment for trade support institutions (TSIs) in Jamaica including collection and analysis of information and preparation of a detailed benchmarking report to ITC and identification of good practices by the TSI that could be of interest for other peer institutions.

Barbados

Led development a detailed implementation plan with annualised budget for the Barbados National Services Sector Development Plan under a project funded the Commonwealth Secretariat. This is was conducted on behalf of the key beneficiary, the Barbados Coalition of Services Industries (BCSI), and involved detailed consultations with key implementing agencies and other stakeholders in Barbados.

Barbados

Responsible for Trade and Export Development Component of 10th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Program including for activities related to Regional Export Strategy, Market Intelligence, Trade Advocacy, and BSO Capacity Building. Key outputs include building out a regional market intelligence system for the CARIFORUM Region, development of regional export strategies, designing and implementing a business advocacy for trade program, and developing and implementing a framework for technical assistance for business support organizations to help them deliver a wider and more relevant suite of trade support services to their members.

Barbados

Conceptualised and implemented a regional trade information ecosystem that included development of a regional market intelligence platform, delivery of bespoke and generalised trade information support services, and delivery of capacity building programs for trade research staff in business support organisations and owners and mangers of small and medium enterprise across the CARIFORUM region (CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic). Led successful implementation of training on using market pointers to respond to market research needs of SMEs and exporters within the Caribbean.

Belize, Central America

Founding President of the umbrella organisation for the services sector within Belize with the mandate for development of the services sector. Led mobilisation of services providers across a range of services sectors, led formation of services sector organisations, and helped articulate a strategy for internationalisation of professional services from Belize. I also contributed to the formation of national services coalitions in other Caribbean states and secured membership for the BCSP in the Caribbean Network of Services Coalition.

Papua New Guinea

I effectively served as the legal expert on trade law and trade remedies matters under the European Union funded Trade Related Assistance Project (TRAP) 2 in Papua New Guinea. During this period, I was attached to the Directorate of Foreign Trade within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Papua New Guinea and also worked closely with the Solicitors General Ministry.

Caricom Region

Provided support to the ITC team on export strategy development for Caribbean countries including Dominica, Grenada, and Jamaica.

Belize, Belize

Belize

Lectured undergraduate students in subjects such as Socio-Economic Development; Introduction to International Development and Introduction to International Political Economy.

Led delivery of a technical assistance for trade capacity building project with BELTRAIDE, the national export promotion agency in Belize. This project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and sought to (a) build capacity within the organization as the official trade pomotion agency within Belize for enhancing it export development functions and programs; (b) identify and prioritize key export sectors for export development; and (c) build capacity for attracting investments into key export sectors. Outputs included establishing a country marketing brand; rebranding BELTRAIDE; and an export promotion guide/manual.

Geneva Area, Switzerland

As the lead trade attache for Belize to the WTO in Geneva, I represented Belize in the negotiations on agricultural and services trade issues, and was also the head of delegation for Belize to the Doha Ministerial conference. During my tenure I contributed to negotiations on the Work Programme on Small Economies in the WTO and represented Belize at several multilateral events. Additionally, I provided effective technical support to the Embassy of Belize in Brussels, Belgium on matters related to the then negotiations with the EU on trade in bananas and sugar under the Cotonou Agreement.In also led Belize's engagement and negotiations on matters related to intellectual property rights at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Belmopan, Belize

Advised the government of Belize on international trade policy matters including for CARICOM, EU-Cotonou, and WTO affairs.

Belize

Belize

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Economic History And International Relations

Graduate Diploma, International Development, Distinction

International Development studies offered as part of the University of London International Programs in Economics, Management, Finance.

Master Of Laws (Llm), International Trade Law

Dissertation titled "Extraterritoriality in Competition Law: Square Peg in a Round Hole" examined the application of the legal concept.

Master Of Arts, International Relations, Distinction

Dissertation titled: "Challenges of the Transition from Monopolies to Open Markets in International Telecommunications Services"

Bsc, Environmental Studies & Biology, 3.25