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Consultant – Pacific Island Countries – Technical Advisor

This opportunity is now closed.

I.             BACKGROUND

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) is a public-private delivery mechanism created to support effective implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (“TFA”) through partnerships between governments and private sector. GATF is a cooperative effort funded by the governments of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Australia, and Denmark. The GATF Secretariat is composed of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC-WBO), and the World Economic Forum (WEF), with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as implementing partner.

The following pacific countries, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have been identified as priority countries by the Alliance Steering Group. The Alliance seeks to engage with the public and private sector on how to support the governments’ trade facilitation reform process, including in delivering their commitments under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The GATF is exploring a potential initiative with regional reach in the Pacific region, encompassing the Republic of Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. Following its model of public-private dialogue and cooperation, the GATF is looking to map out potential areas for technical cooperation support in the implementation of these countries’ commitments under the TFA.

 

II.          REQUIRED PROFILE

The Alliance is seeking to retain an experienced Technical Advisor to support the project scoping process. The Advisor will have:

  1. Minimum of 10 years of high-level experience in customs modernization and supporting developing country governments implement trade facilitation reforms.
  2. The candidate should be located in the region such as – Australia, NZ, Pacific Islands, Singapore
  3. Proven track record in scoping, identification and formulation of trade facilitation technical assistance programmes, preferably including experience in the pacific countries.
  4. Strong understanding of the WTO TFA and other applicable international instruments (e.g. WCO Revised Kyoto Convention).
  5. Strong capacity for innovative thinking around public-private cooperation on trade facilitation.
  6. Strong understanding of private sector dynamics in the identified countries.
  7. Strong written communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
  8. Ability to travel to the identified countries frequently and as needed.

 

III.        DELIVERABLES AND TASKS

The main objective of the assignment is to support the GATF with technical expertise in the evaluation of the countries to assess project viability in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.  The selected candidate is to assess traction by the stakeholders and then progress towards scoping a project using the co-creation process. The two key deliverables for this assignment will be the initial Scoping Report, which outlines the trade facilitation landscape and potential project ideas, and the more detailed Concept Note which elaborates the identified concept and its operationalization. These will be developed in collaboration with the project lead.

Phase 1: Scoping

1. Prepare the first project development missions to the specified countries

  • Gather and review relevant documents and materials related the state of play of TFA implementation and trade facilitation gaps in the specified countries, including an overview of ongoing and planned donor programming.
  • Initiate and lead with direction from CIPE PO correspondence with identified government and private sector stakeholders and where necessary, set up and participate in preparatory telephone discussions.
  • Provide inputs on the mission agenda and support the setting up and confirmation of meetings where necessary.

2. Conduct missions to each of the countries (3-4 days for each)

  • In Solomon Islands and PNG, conduct stakeholder mapping in order to understand the local environment (this already done in Vanuatu through Country Brief)
  • In Solomon Islands and PNG, assess existing donor-funded programmes to avoid overlap and possible identify synergies with other programmes and report to CIPE PO accordingly
  • Lead bilateral discussions in-country with Customs, Other Government Agencies and identified private sector stakeholders and facilitate a joint public-private dialogue and report to CIPE PO accordingly.
  • Identify gaps and needs in relation to TFA base activities ratification process if not completed, notification process and report to CIPE PO accordingly.
  • Assess existing TFA gateway factors, baseline political readiness, private sector interest and development landscape for crowdedness.
  • If deemed necessary, plan seminars/workshops locally with both private sector and government towards assisting with TFA sensitisation

3. Draft the Alliance Scoping Report (10 days)

  • Draft and submit for approval the Alliance scoping report on the mission findings, emerging potential project concepts.
  • Respond to scoping report comments from the Alliance team.

 

The second phase of the assignment is contingent on the approval of the scoping report by the Alliance Team.
Phase 2: Project Concept Note development

4. Lead the project concept development missions to the identified countries

  • Create the mission agenda and arrange the setting up and confirmation of meetings where necessary.

5. Function as the Alliance project lead during the mission to the identified countries

  • Lead continued bilateral discussions in-country with Customs, Other Government Agencies and private sector stakeholders on the identified project concept.
  • In close cooperation with the Alliance team, lead the preparation and facilitation of a public private workshop with the objective to co-develop and agree on the project approach and plan.

6. Draft and submit concept note to the Alliance team

  • Draft and submit Concept Note as requested by the Alliance team
  • Respond to and address comments from the Alliance team and other key project stakeholders.

 

IV.            CONTRACT AND SELECTION PROCESS

The Advisor will be contracted for a maximum term of 72 working days. The expected contract start date is 15 September 2019 and run up to 31 December 2019. As also noted above, the second phase of the assignment (Concept Note Development) is contingent on the approval of the Scoping Report by the Alliance team and decision to move forward with the concept development process. The deliverables, tasks and level of effort for each will be agreed with the CIPE PO.

The Advisor will be chosen on the basis of her/his technical qualifications and competitiveness of the financial proposal to ensure high quality outputs and deliver value for money.   Candidates will be asked to provide their up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) by 5pm EST on 2 September 2019 which must be sent by email to the Aurelio Garcia(agarcia@cipe.org) and Arnold Jorge (ajorge@cipe.org) with the subject line: “TA GATF PACIFIC [YOURLASTNAME]”