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Consultant – India – Trade Adviser

Background

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (Alliance) is a public-private delivery mechanism created to support the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) through partnerships between governments and private sector. The Alliance is a cooperative effort funded by the governments of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Denmark.

The Alliance Secretariat is composed of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the World Economic Forum (WEF), and Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Through the methodology of co-creation between government and private sector entities, the Trade Team at CIPE, on behalf of the Alliance, is exploring a potential initiative in the Republic of India. To support the design of the project, CIPE wishes to hire the services of a consultant with a strong background in trade facilitation.

Objective

The main objective of the assignment is to support the CIPE Trade Team with technical expertise to assess project viability in India. The Consultant will assess the overall trade environment in search of opportunities to develop a trade facilitation project in line with the WTO TFA and Alliance objectives. Based on this initial assessment, and under the supervision of the CIPE Trade Team, the Trade Advisor will also support the development of the concept note and potential project proposal.

Scope of work

The assignment will be divided in two main phases.

  1. Phase 1 – Project scoping. During this phase, the consultant will analyse the trade environment in India and engage the public and private sector to identify opportunities to develop and implement a trade facilitation project. The Alliance will support the consultant to organise relevant meetings and introduce him/her to relevant stakeholders. This phase includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:
    1. preliminary diagnosis of the trade environment in India;
    2. preparatory work with the Alliance partners to ensure alignment with Alliance objectives and mandate;
    3. in collaboration with Alliance partners and under the supervision of the CIPE Trade Team, preparation of agenda with public and private sector stakeholders in the Republic of India. This may include visits to several cities within India and logistics centers across the country such as ports and airports[1];
    4. creation of a scoping report highlighting all meetings, main discussions, and participants; and
    5. development of a report including all project options based on the scoping process, dialogues with public and private sector stakeholders, and the overall assessment of the trade environment in India.
  2. Phase 2 – Project design. Based on the findings of Phase 1 and the guidance provided by the CIPE Trade Team, the consultant will support the development of a concept note and project proposal. This phase includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:
    1. assessment of all project options in collaboration with the CIPE Trade Team and public and private sector stakeholders;
    2. development of a concept note based on the previous assessment;
    3. adjustments to the concept note based on feedback received from CIPE and Alliance partners;
    4. development of a project proposal; and
    5. adjustments to the project proposal based on the feedback received from CIPE and Alliance partners.

[1] CIPE will fund all allowable travel related expenses separately.

Deliverable schedule

No. Deliverable Delivery timeframes Report format
PHASE 1 – PROJECT SCOPING
1 Inception report: Report detailing the updated project schedule for all deliverables 7 days calendar days after contract signature Electronic (MS Word)
2 Scoping report: Report detailing the meetings and main discussions with government and private sector stakeholders in India 40 days after contract signature Electronic (MS Word)
3 Project options: Report with a menu of options to develop a trade facilitation project in India 50 days after contract signature Electronic (MS Word) and presentation to CIPE Trade Team
PHASE 2 – PROJECT DESIGN
4 Concept note based on deliverable #3 90 days after contract signature Electronic (MS Word) and presentation via teleconference to relevant stakeholders
5 Project proposal based on deliverable #4 160 days after approval of concept note by Alliance Steering Group Electronic (MS Word) and presentation via teleconference to relevant stakeholders

Period of contract

The period of contract shall begin on March 1, 2020 and shall end on September 30, 2020.

Budget

The estimated budget for this consultancy amounts to $34,000 (allowable travel expenses will be covered separately by CIPE).

Payment schedule

First payment: 20% of total contract amount against the submission and approval of the inception report.

Second payment: 25% of total contract amount against the submission and approval of deliverables 2 and 3.

Third payment: 25% of total contract amount against the submission and approval of the concept note.

Fourth payment: 30% of total contract amount against the submission and approval of the project proposal.

Required profile

  1. Minimum of 10 years of technical experience in customs modernization, trade facilitation, or public sector reform
  2. Proven track record in scoping, identifying, formulating, and implementing trade facilitation projects, or alternatively, public sector reform projects
  3. In-depth understanding of trade facilitation and logistics issues such as the WTO TFA and other applicable international instruments (g. WCO Revised Kyoto Convention, WCO SAFE Framework)
  4. Strong command and knowledge of international supply chains and import, transit, and export processes

Reporting Arrangements

The selected candidate will report to the Senior Program Officer of CIPE.

Application

To apply for this opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter to: Tradejobs@cipe.org with the subject line: “Trade Advisor INDIA [YOURLASTNAME]”

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Application deadline: February 21, 2019 at 5PM EST.

CIPE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.