The Alliance is looking for an experienced consultant to support the implementation of its project in Ecuador.
1. Background
The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) is a public-private delivery mechanism created to support the effective implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement through partnerships between governments and the private sector. GATF is a cooperative effort funded by the governments of the United States, Canada, and Germany. The GATF Secretariat is comprised of the Center for International Private Enterprise, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) and is supported by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as an implementing partner.
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) works with local business leaders to expand opportunities for inclusive growth through market-driven solutions, develops programs to promote a rule-based system which emphasizes democratic governance principles, enables entrepreneurship, opens trade, and fights corruption. CIPE and its global network of partners create knowledge and practical tools to drive local change.
CIPE, on behalf of GATF, is in the process of implementing a supply chain strengthening and visibility initiative in Ecuador. It aims to increase supply chain resilience within Ecuador’s transport micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), thereby supporting and facilitating the movement of legitimate trade. Ecuador’s transport sector has been severely affected by the country’s security crisis, which has increased risks to transport to and from ports, airports and borders. These risks have led to an erosion of trust between the government and the private sector, increased inspections and checkpoints on highways, increased insurance costs and freight rates, and reduced service availability, ultimately hampering international trade. That is why improving the transparency and traceability of the Ecuadorian supply chain is crucial to facilitate trade. This initiative will support three key areas of work: (i) Creation of public-private collaborative mechanisms; (ii) Capacity building, mainly in MSMEs and potentially in other project stakeholders; and (iii) Deployment of protocols and advanced monitoring and tracking tools.
The initiative will promote cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and other government agencies. It will also help raise awareness of the importance of the transport and logistics sector, particularly MSMEs, in the supply chain. The project will serve as a model for public-private collaboration, scalable and replicable across the industry, once the success of its results is evaluated. The initiative was approved by GATF in July 2024, and it is estimated that its execution will be carried out over a period of 12 months.
To support the implementation of the initiative, CIPE would like to engage the services of a Project Coordinator who will work closely and cooperatively with Ecuadorian government agencies and private sector counterparts that will make up the Project Working Group, as well as contractors, suppliers, other stakeholders, and the rest of the CIPE-GATF team to ensure a timely and proper implementation.
2. General objective
The objective of this position is to provide local coordination and day-to-day management of project activities to ensure its successful execution and support the work of the rest of the CIPE-GATF team.
3. Scope of work
Under the supervision of the CIPE-GATF Program Officer designated to lead the project, the activities of the Project Coordinator shall include, but are not limited to the following:
- Organize, participate in, and follow up on periodic meetings (daily, weekly) with the Project Working Group, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
- Notify and update the Program Officer on the progress of activities.
- Identify delays and propose mitigation strategies, analyze changes in scope, schedule, and/or budget, verify alignment with project objectives, mediate between stakeholders.
- Monitor and participate in the testing and presentation of deliverables from contractors and suppliers.
- Review contractor invoices and reports, translate supporting documents, track payments, and manage contracts with the Program Officer.
- Contact and organize meetings with potential interested parties to present the project and request collaboration and/or participation in tests, surveys, events, etc.
- Coordinate and carry out procurement activities, together with the Program Officer, including research, preparation of terms of reference, publication, reception and evaluation of proposals, price analysis and drafting of contracts.
- Support administrative and legal procedures related to suppliers and contractors, including due diligence and set up of banking procedures.
- Prepare their own invoices, reports, expense documents and submit them to the CIPE-GATF team.
- Collect, analyze, and prepare inputs for communication, measurement, and evaluation activities, periodic performance reports, financial programming, etc., in coordination with the CIPE-GATF team.
- Plan and lead missions of the CIPE-GATF team in Ecuador, together with the Program Officer.
- Prepare and process their own travel authorizations and arrangements, as well as reimbursement of expenses and support the Program Officer and the CIPE-GATF team in tasks related to their travel.
4. Duration of assignment
The duration of the contract is 12 months, with the possibility of extending it depending on performance and status of the project. Expected start date: October 2024.
5. Supervision
The selected Project Coordinator will work under contract and will report to the CIPE-GATF Program Officer designated to lead the project. The candidate will perform his/her tasks in close collaboration with the Project Working Group.
6. Administrative and logistical arrangements
- Candidates must reside in or around Quito, Ecuador.
- Occasionally, the Project Coordinator will be required to travel to Guayaquil or other cities in Ecuador. All work-related travel expenses outside of Quito will be funded by CIPE-GATF.
- The Project Coordinator’s relationship with CIPE-GATF will be that of an independent consultant hired by CIPE to perform services pursuant to a contract. It is estimated that the activities under the contract will regularly demand around 20 hours per week. Occasionally, full-time availability of the Project Coordinator will be required for missions, events, and/or activities outside of Quito.
- CIPE-GATF will not provide computer equipment or office space. Temporary accommodations, as needed and feasible, will be coordinated with the involved government agencies and private sector counterparts, especially for work outside of Quito.
- CIPE-GATF and the Project Coordinator will coordinate with the involved government agencies and private sector counterparts to provide spaces for Project Working Group meetings and other gatherings, as needed.
7. Remuneration
The selected Project Coordinator will submit monthly invoices to CIPE for approval and payment. CIPE will make payments upon receipt and acceptance of such invoices.
8. Candidate profile
8.1 Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration; Project Management; Transport, Security, Trade and Logistics; Industrial Engineering or another relevant field.
- Legally authorized to reside and work in Ecuador.
8.2 Knowledge/Experience
- At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in project management and process reform.
- Experience in transportation, logistics, and international trade procedures.
- Experience working independently and in collaborative environments.
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
- Solid working knowledge of project management techniques, tools, and software.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
- Demonstrated experience working for or with Ecuadorian government agencies is preferred.
- Experience in the implementation and coordination of donor-funded projects is preferred.
9. Application and statement on links with public officials
To apply for this opportunity, interested parties must send a curriculum vitae and a cover letter in English –including their remuneration expectation– to tradejobs@cipe.org no later than September 30, 2024 with the subject line: “Project Coordinator AP27c – [Full Name]”.
Candidates must disclose whether they or any key owner, senior officer, or manager or employee in their company is a public official or is related by blood or marriage up to the second degree to a public official. “Public official” includes a person holding a legislative, administrative, military, or judicial position for any country, an employee of a government-owned or controlled enterprise, an official of a public international organization, and/or an official of a political party. The fact that the candidate, employee, or associate is associated with a public official will not disqualify him/her, however, any proposal that does not include this information will not be considered. If there are no links, the cover letter must expressly indicate this.
Any questions or requests for clarification must be submitted in writing by September 30, 2024 to the same email address.
10. Evaluation and selection
The assessment of suitability for this consultancy will be based on the applicant’s technical background as provided in their curriculum vitae and cover letter. CIPE is an equal opportunity employer.
CIPE reserves the right to negotiate with candidates and/or agree to a modification of the scope of assignment to meet budget or time constraints.