JOB ADVERTISEMENT RECRUITMENT OF TWO CONSULTANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT (TFA)

Transcription

1 JOB ADVERTISEMENT RECRUITMENT OF TWO CONSULTANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT (TFA) The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade through the International Trade Department has secured technical assistance from the World Bank Group for the implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The Ministry therefore seeks to recruit the following: 1. Senior National Trade Facilitation Committee Consultant 2. Junior National Trade Facilitation Committee Consultant Terms of Reference for the positions can be obtained from the Government website: and Application letter, CV and certified copies of academic certificates can be hand delivered at the International Trade Department (ITD) Offices along Gwamile Street between Swazi Bank and the DPM s Office. Also submission can be made through to: mlulekisakhile@yahoo.com and copy to sizwenewman@yahoo.com. Deadline for submission of applications is 4 th August 2017.

2 Swaziland Terms of Reference Senior Local Consultant for NTFC Support I. Background The Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice supports technical assistance activities that help developing countries build efficient trade facilitation systems and services. Dedicated to providing technical assistance to governments, the T&C trade logistics team fosters deep partnerships with the public and private sectors to catalyze trade logistics reforms. Technical Assistance has a clear focus on reducing the time and cost to trade. The team's work fuels economic growth through increased trade and private sector savings, potentially leading to investments and job creation. A Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice mission team of the World Bank Group visited Swaziland Lesotho in 2016, to provide assistance to the government of Swaziland in validating its self-assessment of the WTO s Trade Facilitation Agreement. One of those proposed activities to be supported provide support for the establishment of a National Trade Facilitation Committee including a Secretariat. This terms of reference relates to hiring a junior consultant to support the NTFC. II. Objectives This term of reference (ToR) focuses on activities linked with 1) Supporting the Establishment of a National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and supporting it in the gap assessment exercise and implementation of the TFA; and 2) Once established, provide initial secretariat support to the NTFC to supports it effective operations related to implement of TFA articles: III. Roles and duties The senior consultant will support the NTFC Secretariat performing the following activities - Prepare action plans based on observed gaps and develop recommendations for reform activities. Coordination and consolidation of working group and subcommittee reports Drafting of quarterly reports to the government for approval by the Committee Development and administration of performance reporting systems, including performance indicators and reporting procedures Maintenance of role as close liaison with government and private sector entities represented on the NTFC Other duties as assigned by the committee chair. The senior consultant will also perform the following duties to support the World Bank team - Support the work of the international consultant and World Bank Group staff (including Task Team Leaders) supporting these TA activities. In the absence of the in-country presence of the above consultant/staff, the local consultant

3 will, with necessary support and guidance, ensure progress and continuity of TA activities by managing day-to-day activities of the TA program. Prepare mission agendas(s), coordinate meetings and discuss with client counterpart objectives of missions. Contribute to reports that reflect findings from mission and support implementation action plans. Research of trade facilitation policy, monitoring of international developments, and advising of the committee Other duties as assigned by the project TTL and/or technical lead. IV. Requirements Advanced degree in economics, public policy, law, business economics, or equivalent; Over 10 years of experience with at least 5 years of relevant experience in development with a preference with experience in trade, investment climate, and competitiveness issues. Experience in the area of trade facilitation and/or trade logistics; border management, Customs, use of IT in trade facilitation and related areas would be valued. Experience in government would also be valued. Demonstrated understanding and experience of substantive issues in international development, with emphasis on regulations, policy and institutional economics related to trade facilitation and logistics; Demonstrated experience and ability to translate policy recommendations into implementation; advising the public sector on policy / regulatory reform; practical understanding of the political economy of regulatory reform; Well-developed interpersonal and teamwork skills; ability to operate effectively as a team member; take initiative, be persistent and have a positive attitude; Ability to build effective working relations with local and international partners in the private sector, in the academic community, civil society and with government departments; Demonstrated leadership and project management skills and strong analytical skills; Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent interpersonal, verbal communication and writing skills. V. Reporting In relation to these activities, the local consultant will report to the World Bank Task Team Leader and Technical Lead (Ankur Huria). In relation to activities of the NTFC the consultant will report to the Chair of the Committee.

4 Swaziland Terms of Reference Junior Local Consultant for NTFC Support VI. Background The Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice supports technical assistance activities that help developing countries build efficient trade facilitation systems and services. Dedicated to providing technical assistance to governments, the T&C trade logistics team fosters deep partnerships with the public and private sectors to catalyze trade logistics reforms. Technical Assistance has a clear focus on reducing the time and cost to trade. The team's work fuels economic growth through increased trade and private sector savings, potentially leading to investments and job creation. A Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice mission team of the World Bank Group visited Swaziland in 2016, to provide assistance to the government of Swaziland in validating its selfassessment of the WTO s Trade Facilitation Agreement. One of those proposed activities to be supported provide support for the establishment of a National Trade Facilitation Committee including a Secretariat. This terms of reference relates to hiring a junior consultant to support the NTFC. VII. Objectives This term of reference (ToR) focuses on activities linked with 3) Supporting the Establishment of a National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and supporting it in the gap assessment exercise and implementation of the TFA; and 4) Once established, provide initial secretariat support to the NTFC to supports it effective operations related to implement of TFA articles: VIII. Roles and duties The junior consultant will support the NTFC Secretariat performing the following activities - Support for the committee in planning and organizing regular and ad hoc meetings, including preparation of meeting agendas and meeting minutes Gather all information from meetings/research and prepare findings and presentations. Coordination of the communications program to ensure dissemination of trade facilitation related information to stakeholders and the public Conduct deskwork and review: National TFA self-assessment and/or assessments conducted by other organization. Review reports that describe Trade Facilitation environment. Other duties as assigned by the committee chair. The junior consultant will also perform the following duties to support the World Bank team - Support the work of the international consultant and World Bank Group staff (including Task Team Leaders) supporting these TA activities. In the absence of the in-country presence of the above consultant/staff, the local consultant

5 will, with necessary support and guidance, ensure progress and continuity of TA activities by managing day-to-day activities of the TA program. Prepare mission agendas(s), coordinate meetings and discuss with client counterpart objectives of missions. Contribute to reports that reflect findings from mission and support implementation action plans. Research of trade facilitation policy, monitoring of international developments, and advising of the committee Other duties as assigned by the project TTL and/or technical lead. IX. Requirements Degree in economics, public policy, law, business economics, or equivalent; At least 5 years of relevant experience in development with a preference with experience in trade, investment climate, and competitiveness issues. Experience in the area of trade facilitation and/or trade logistics; border management, Customs, use of IT in trade facilitation and related areas would be valued; Demonstrated understanding and experience of substantive issues in international development, with emphasis on regulations, policy and institutional economics; Well-developed interpersonal and teamwork skills; ability to operate effectively as a team member; take initiative, be persistent and have a positive attitude; Ability to liaison effectively with the private sector and with government departments; Demonstrated project management and analytical skills; Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent interpersonal, verbal communication and writing skills. X. Reporting In relation to these activities, the local consultant will report to the World Bank Task Team Leader and Technical Lead (Ankur Huria). In relation to activities of the NTFC the consultant will report to the Chair of the Committee.