Terms of Reference – Project Coordinator – Dominican Republic

Terms of Reference – Project Coordinator – Dominican Republic

Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation / Center for International Private Enterprise 

 

1. Background

The Alliance 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 the private sector. The Alliance is a cooperative effort funded by the governments of the United States, Canada, and Germany,

The Alliance 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 an implementing partner. CIPE works with local business leaders to expand the opportunity for inclusive growth through market-led solutions, develops programs to promote a rule-based system which emphasizes principles of democratic governance, enables entrepreneurship, opens trade, and fights corruption. CIPE and its global partner network create knowledge and practical tools to drive local change.

CIPE, on behalf of the Alliance, is in the process of implementing a project to empower Dominican small to medium size businesses (SMEs) and women-owned businesses (WOBs) to capitalize on nearshoring opportunities and strengthen their participation in international trade. The government of the Dominican Republic is undertakings comprehensive reforms in its import-export architecture and as a result, there is a pressing need to ensure that SMEs, a vital part of the country’s business fabric, are equipped to benefit from these changes. Through a strategic focus on supplier identification for Free Trade Zones (FTZs), Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, and e-commerce, this project seeks to enable SMEs to integrate into global value chains (GVCs), seize nearshoring opportunities, and enhance the country’s trade competitiveness. Furthermore, this project has a high replication potential to support other nearshoring effects and the reorganization of global supply chains.

The project holds the potential to address key issues on matters of unemployment, inequality, poverty reduction, and overall economic welfare in the Dominican Republic. By empowering SMEs and Women Owned Businesses (WOBs) to integrate into global value chains (GVCs) and capitalize on nearshoring opportunities, the project would also address local employment challenges and thus directly increase economic opportunities for the communities in which these businesses operate.

The project will be divided in three major components:

• Component 1: Bridging SMEs and Free Trade Zones. This component will facilitate connections between SMEs and companies operating in free trade zones (FTZs). By identifying the supply needs of selected FTZ companies and industries and providing technical support, the project will foster collaborations and enable qualified SMEs to become suppliers for a group of FTZ companies.
• Component 2: Simplified AEO Certification. This component will support SMEs in obtaining the simplified Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification. This certification is specifically designed for importers based strictly on compliance requirements (not security) and offer benefits such as expedited customs clearance and dedicated customs support.
• Component 3: Export Training Program. The third component focuses on enhancing SME capabilities in e-commerce, enabling them to leverage digital platforms and expand their reach in international markets through comprehensive training on export requirements.

Project stakeholders:

• Ministry of Industry, Trade and MicroSMEs (MICM for its acronym in Spanish).
• General Directorate of Customs (DGA for its acronym in Spanish).
• American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM-DR).
• Dominican Association of Free Zones (ADOZONA).
• National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE).
• Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CODOPYME).
• Center for Development and Industrial Competitiveness (ProIndustria).
• Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana).
• Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO).

To support the project’s implementation, Alliance-CIPE wishes to hire the services of a local Project Coordinator who will work closely and cooperatively with the Dominican Republic government agencies involved, the project’s implementation unit, the private sector stakeholders, and the rest of the Alliance team to ensure its timely and adequate implementation.

 

2. General objective
The objective of this position is to provide local stakeholder coordination and day-to-day management of project activities to ensure the successful and efficient implementation of the initiative.

 

3. Scope of work
Under the supervision of the designated Alliance/CIPE Program Officer, the Project Coordinator’s activities shall include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Providing project management services to facilitate the day-to-day implementation of the project in Dominican Republic in accordance with the Alliance’s goals.
2. Leading project activities, with emphasis in collaboration and coordination with Dominican Republic government officials, public and private sector organizations, SMEs, and CIPE.
3. Liaising with Dominican Republic government officials, private sector stakeholders, SMEs, and relevant non-government organizations.
4. Establishing close working arrangements with all project stakeholders and relevant SMEs to facilitate the process of AEO certifications.
5. Developing strategic plans for the implementation of the project in coordination with CIPE management/program officer.
6. Coordinating the Project Working Group and managing the relationship with all public-private stakeholders.
7. Hosting and leading missions from CIPE project management, international technical experts, and delegations from private and public stakeholders supporting the project’s implementation.
8. Coordinating with the Alliance/CIPE Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and WEF Metrics officers in the collection and analysis of data on the progress, implementation and results of the project.
9. Undertake other tasks required to successfully implement the project and improve coordination with relevant authorities.

 

4. Specific activities

It is expected that the consultant will conduct, as a minimum, the following activities:

• Update and manage the project plan.
• Arrange consultations with the private sector and SMEs throughout the execution of the project.
• Coordinate and organize regular meetings with the Project Working Group, and any other ad hoc meeting with other stakeholders as needed.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports (including executive documents and presentations as needed) highlighting the activities conducted, challenges faced, proposed solutions, and monthly and quarterly objectives.
• Manage and undertake the required M&E project activities including but not limited to carrying out project surveys, collecting data for logframe and trackers and implement the results planner. Implement the data collection requirements to measure project results in coordination with the Alliance Metrics and Benchmarking team.
• Support the procurement process of any consultant or consulting firm required to implement the project by drafting terms of reference, evaluating technical and financial proposals if necessary.
• Co-lead project review exercises designed to adjust, organize, and streamline project procedures/schedules/plans, highlighting the activities that will impact project implementation and propose corrective actions if needed.
• Ensure effective coordination between MICM, DGA, AMCHAM-DR, ADOZONA, CNZFE, CODOPYME, Proindustria, ProDominicana, ADOEXPO, and other public stakeholders, private sector representatives, the Alliance/CIPE team, and any individual consultant, service provider and/or consulting firm hired during the implementation of the project.
• Document all changes requested to project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Translate brief documents from English to Spanish and vice versa as needed.

 

5. Duration of assignment

The duration of the contract is one (1) year with the possibility to extend depending on performance and project status. Expected start date: November 1, 2023.

 

6. Reporting arrangements

The selected project coordinator will report to CIPE’s Program Officer leading the project. The candidate will also work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation team at CIPE.

 

7. Administrative and logistical arrangements

• Candidates should already reside in Dominican Republic.
• Travel within Dominican Republic to meet with government officials and private sector operators will be required. All work-related traveling expenses will be funded by the Alliance/CIPE.
• Office space will not be provided by the Alliance/CIPE. It is expected that the consultant will work at the premises of the project stakeholders.

8. Payment Schedule

The selected candidate will submit invoices monthly to CIPE for approval and payment. CIPE will make payments upon receipt and acceptance of said invoices.

 

9. Technical profile of candidate

9.1 Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Project Management, Information Technology (IT), or another relevant field.

9.2 Knowledge/Experience

• At least 5 years demonstrated experience in project management.
• Previous work experience with private and public sector organizations in Dominican Republic.
• Previous experience or familiarity working with SME’s and global value chains desired.
• Previous experience in project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and data collection.
• Experience in donor-funded project implementation and coordination is preferred.
• Familiarity with international trade procedures and protocols such as the Kyoto Convention, the WCO SAFE framework and the WTO TFA will be an asset.
• Sound working knowledge of project management techniques, tools, and software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working both independently and in team-oriented, collaborative environments is essential.
• Legally authorized to live and work in the Dominican Republic.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.

 

10. Application

To apply for this opportunity, please send a resume and cover letter in English or Spanish, to tradejobs@cipe.org by 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday October 9, 2023 with the subject line: “GATF Dominican Republic Project Coordinator – [FULL NAME]”.

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

11. 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 a personal interview and the applicant’s financial requirements. CIPE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.