Request for proposals – Local M&E and coordination support – Malawi

Request for proposals – Local M&E and coordination support – Malawi

Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation/ Center for International Private Enterprise

1. Background

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (the Alliance) is a public private partnership for trade-led growth, supporting governments in developing and least-developed countries in implementing the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. Alliance projects cut through red tape and end costly delays at borders by bringing together governments and businesses of all sizes as equal partners to deliver targeted trade reforms. The Alliance is led by the Center for International Private Enterprise, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the World Economic Forum, in cooperation with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It is funded by the governments of the United States, Canada, and Germany.

CIPE, on behalf of the Alliance, has recently launched a project to with two key components in Malawi. The two key components are:

• Export training program: The training program aims to bolster the export capabilities of registered MSMEs, women-owned and women-led businesses in Malawi. The training program will mainly target agricultural businesses, the leading export sector in Blantyre and Lilongwe. It aims to benefit those businesses that have the potential of exporting to neighboring markets, taking advantage of the new opportunities offered by the AfCFTA. It is to be noted that, intra-African trade in agriculture is expected to increase by 574% by 2030 if tariffs are eliminated under the AfCFTA; coupled with projected 8.5% and 11.2% increase in wages for men and women, respectively.
• HS Classification and Tariff Information Tool: A user-centric tool that will serve to easily assign commodity code and associated tariffs. By doing so, it empowers traders, particularly MSME businesses, in their export ambitions through the tool’s assistance to better understand market opportunities, duty obligations, compliance requirements, and preferential origin rules. The tool is transformative in trade facilitation, enhancing compliance, reducing the scope for honest mistakes, and fostering a more inclusive and transparent trading environment.

This project aligns with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and more specifically with Articles 1 (Publication and Availability of Information) and Article 10 (Formalities with Importation, Exportation and Transit). Additionally, the proposed program complements our ongoing Alliance initiative to modernise the customs brokers industry. By simultaneously enhancing the capabilities of both MSMEs and customs brokers, we are creating a more cohesive trade ecosystem. The customs brokers, equipped with higher standards and technical knowledge from our existing project will be better positioned to assist MSMEs and WOBs who have participated in this new project.

Key local stakeholders, in a non-exhaustive manner, are:

• Malawi Revenue Authority
• Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute
• National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
• Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association of Malawi
• Indigenous Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents

To support the implementation of the project, the Alliance wishes to hire the services of a local M&E consultant who will work closely and cooperatively with the stakeholders mentioned above and the project team at CIPE and the Alliance M&E team.

 

2. General Objectives

The objective of this position is to provide local M&E and coordination support to ensure the successful and efficient implementation of the “Opening Borders to MSMEs and WOBs: enhancing trade transparency and inclusivity” project.

 

3. Scope of Work and Specific Activities:

The position’s activities shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Component 1: MSME Export Training Program M&E:

• Responsible for all data collection throughout MSME export training program implementation, including managing participant registrations, training feedback surveys, focus groups, qualitative interviews, and other activities as needed. Data collection tools will be developed collaboratively with the project team and the Alliance M&E team to ensure consistency across other Alliance projects.
• Ensure that MSME export training program implementation is well documented.
• Review and analyse MSME applications for the export training program and support the selection process in close coordination with the project team.
• Extract, analyse and summarize findings from focus groups with key project stakeholders that will inform the content of the MSME export training program.

Component 2: HS Classification Tool M&E/Measurement:

• Coordinate with Alliance metrics and benchmarking team on quantitative time and cost measurement for HS Classification tool component and support data collection as needed (TBD).
• Coordinate with Alliance M&E team to develop qualitative data collection tools to evaluate the HS classification tool (TBD).
• Ensure that HS Classification Tool implementation is well documented.

Standard Alliance M&E and Reporting:

• Support the project coordinator to prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports highlighting the activities conducted, challenges faced, propose solutions, and monthly and quarterly objectives. Document all changes requested to project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Monitor progress and report on the indicators agreed under the project’s logical framework, working alongside the Alliance M&E team to keep the theory of change and logframe up to date.
• Input data into the Alliance private sector contributions tracker and the public-private dialogue tracker as needed, to support overall Alliance monitoring and reporting.
• Conduct standardised Alliance project stakeholder start and end surveys at the beginning and end of project activities in coordination with the Alliance M&E team.
• Support with ad hoc information requests for EDGE fund reporting as required by USAID, in coordination with the project team and Alliance M&E team.
• Support/Coordinate a potential Alliance M&E mission to Malawi towards the end of project activities, including arranging meetings with key stakeholders, providing input on interview guides, and arranging visit logistics.

 

4. Duration of Assignment

The duration of the contract is until February 2025. Applicants that are only available part-time will be considered on a case-by-case basis as well. Expected start date: Immediate.

 

5. Reporting Arrangements

The selected candidate will report to CIPE’s Program Officer for Trade. The candidate will also work closely with the Chair of the Project Working Group.

 

6. Administrative and Logistical Arrangements

• Candidates should already reside in or around Blantyre.
• Office space will not be provided by CIPE.
• Meeting space for monthly Project Working Group meetings will be provided on a rotational basis by the members of the Project Working Group in Blantyre, Malawi
• Ability to travel 30% of the time between Lilongwe and Blantyre is a must.

 

7. Payment Schedule

For the performance of duties outlined in this Terms of Reference, the consultant will be paid monthly.

 

8. Technical Profile of Candidate

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in political science, Economics, Business, IT or another relevant
  Knowledge/Experience
• At least 3-5 years demonstrated experience in trade or public sector reform.
• At least 3-5 years demonstrated experience in donor-funded project implementation and coordination.
• Experience with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is essential.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills
• Previous experience working with the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), and business support associations.
• Familiarity with the Customs Clearing Agent industry and the role and responsibilities of a Customs Clearing Agent
• Sound working knowledge of project management techniques and tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English

 

9. Application

To apply for this opportunity, please send a resume, cover letter, and financial proposal to tradejobs@cipe.org by 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time, Friday May 10, 2024 with the subject line: “GATF Malawi Project Coordinator – [FULL NAME]”. This position will filled on a rolling basis.

Any and all questions should be communicated in writing before the due date to the same email address.

 

10. Evaluation Methodology

Evaluation of an applicant’s suitability for this consultancy will be based on the applicant’s technical background as provided on the resume and cover letter as well as the applicant’s financial requirements.