UNDP Jobs - 54677- International Consultant for Analyzing Approaches,

International Consultant for Analyzing Approaches, Policies, Instruments and Means for Free Economic Zones (FEZs) to Attract Investments to the Republics of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan

Location :

Home-based with travels to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated April - July 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 30 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UNDP-implemented regional project “Wider Europe Initiative - Aid for Trade for Central Asia” (WEI-AfT) in its third phase was designed in line with Finland’s Development Policy programme and UNDP’s development vision. It promotes inclusive, green economic growth through promoting trade and enhancing national competitiveness and sustainable development, by helping poor and vulnerable communities to share in the gains from trade.

Aid for Trade (AfT) is a global initiative that strengthens developing countries’ abilities to capture gains from international trade. Much of this agenda is focused on strengthening domestic production and competitiveness, via the creation of enabling business environments and building economic infrastructure. Activities coming under AfT fall into five categories: (1) trade policy and regulation; (2) trade development; (3) economic infrastructure; (4) productive capacity; and (5) adjustment costs, of which the project is focusing on 1, 2, and 4.
United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) approach uses a human centric approach to trade. By helping poor and vulnerable households and communities start, expand, and formalize small and medium-sized companies that can participate in cross-border and regional trade and global value chains, this project expands people’s capacities, as well as promoting trade and reducing poverty. By helping trade policy makers to take advantage of the development opportunities presented by preferential trading arrangements, and to better understand the socio-economic and environmental consequences of trade policies; this project strengthens the institutional capacities needed for inclusive growth and sustainable development. Trade and human development can therefore be mutually beneficial.

Phase III of the regional AFT project (2014-2017) will build on the experiences and lessons learned of Phases I and II. The AFT needs assessments undertaken under Phase I in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Western CIS identified policy recommendations and technical assistance activities to help trade better contribute to human development and poverty reduction. In contrast to previous phases, Phase III will focus exclusively on three countries located in Central Asia. AFT will therefore emphasize close cooperation with other UNDP flagship national and sub-regional activities in the region, such as UNDP’s engagement in the Central Asian Regional Risk Assessment (CARRA) and Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) processes (particularly in terms of trade corridors, and engagement with other development partners working on trade facilitation and trade policy in Central Asia), and its area-based/community-based/local development initiatives (including those undertaken under the Poverty-Environment Initiative, PEI).

The main objective of the study is to assess the prospects of development of FEZs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, compare this with study results from Uzbekistan, and provide suggestions on the improving their legal, institutional, and administrative environment, regulatory management set-up and arrangements with the target to increase their attractiveness for additional FDIs, cross-border and local investments.

Location:

Home-based with travels in the region. Out of 30 working days in one of the both countries, at least 12 days in Tajikistan, including Dushanbe and travels to the FEZs in Tajikistan, and at least 12 days in Kyrgyzstan, including Bishkek and travels to FEZs in Kyrgyzstan

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the AfT Project Coordinators in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and overall supervision of the AfT Team Leader at the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH), the IC and its National Consultants (NEs) will closely work with the Ministries of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and with administrations of FEZs as well as relevant state agencies of the countries. The AfT Team Leader is expected to provide topic related additional tasks to the NCs. The IC is responsible for guidance of the national consultants and the delivery of the final report. This report should incorporate essential findings and results from the NEs’ reports in a condensed form. The ToRs for the NEs and the deliverables under their assignments are attached below. On demand of the IC, the NCs will conduct additional tasks related to the objective of the study.

The IC will conduct his assignment within approximately 30 working days, being distributed according to self-issued work schedule, which should be streamlined with the working schedules of the NCs. The IC will within the estimated period of April to July 2015, and focus on the following key work areas:

Elaborate questionaries’ and topic related tasks for the NCs and consolidate their reports;
Provide an analysis of the current situation in currently existing/working FEZs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, incorporating results from reports of NCs;
Provide identification of challenges in applied FEZ promotion policies, and administration and operative management issues at FEZs for further attracting investors targeting on domestic value addition and job creation in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan;
Prepare an analysis of best practices applied in FEZs of comparable developing countries regarding efficiency in set-up, instruments and management of FEZs, creating an attractive environment for FDIs and cross-border and local investments, opportunities for specialization of FEZs or establishing linkages between FEZs;
Provide design of specific recommendations on improving the legal and regulatory framework of FEZs, governmental administration and local management of FEZs, policies for attracting investments with the target on domestic value addition and job creation;
Prepare a comparison of the FEZ concepts of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, incorporating results from reports of NCs, with best practices applied in Central Asia;
Conduct a survey at stakeholders of FEZ on evaluation of administrative capacities of FEZ administration, incorporating results from reports of NCs;
Prepare analysis of support approaches towards establishing FEZs in KGZ and TJK by evaluating monetary and non-monetary impacts, incorporating results from data collected by local consultants;
Prepare list of overall, national, and specific per FEZ recommendations with practical measures on regulations, means, and management issues for improving performance of FEZs;
Conduct analysis of financial resources required from state budgets (investments in infrastructure, FEZ management salaries, net balance of tax and duty flows, etc.), per measure recommended, including expected ROI, based on data collected.
Conduct a desk review the analytical report on the recently completed study of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Uzbekistan and use its findings for integration in the report;
Interact with AFT project team in Uzbekistan and its experts and possibly use an experience and approach used for the study in Uzbekistan;
Conduct a presentation on main findings of the survey to WG members/stakeholders under MEDTs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Assignment Reporting Milestones/Deliverables:

Deadline: May 2015
Support to NCs by:

providing questionnaires for FEZ stakeholders,
designing tasks, support proceedings, and supervise data collection on return of investment survey, with a specific focus on beneficiaries of FEZs, and (for comparison) enterprises potentially eligible, but not moving to FEZs
Supervise NCs in writing and consolidating their reports.

Analysis of present performance in currently working FEZs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is provided by:

benchmarking with best international practice in land-locked developing countries (LLDCs),
evaluating “Report on Special Economic Zones (SEZ)”, conducted February 2015 on Uzbekistan regarding relevant findings for FEZs in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan;
evaluating “Report on FEZ in Kyrgyzstan”, conducted August 2014 by USAID/Deloitte Consulting under authority of Bishkek Business Club, regarding relevant findings for FEZs in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with a specific focus on recommendations No. 1 “Opening FEZs for financial service providers”, and No. 6 “Lifting ban on importing excise goods”;
evaluating data collected by NCs,
analysis of management set-up and structures provided;
resuming challenges for further attracting investors and FDI.

Analysis of best practices applied in FEZs of comparable land-locked developing countries (LLDCs) is provided, specifically regarding legal framework, instruments applied, management of FEZs, geographical location, attractiveness for investors from neighboring countries, by comparing FEZ concepts of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, taking into account findings of recent surveys conducted on FEZ/SEZ in Uzbekistan (02.2015) and Kyrgyzstan (08.2014);

Cost-benefit analysis report on presently applied instruments by governments of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on improving attractiveness of FEZ for FDIs (including national processors targeting on international markets), based on data survey conducted by local consultants; May2015.

Deadline: May/June 2015
Report on summarized results from survey conducted at stakeholders of FEZ, specifically evaluating physical infrastructure, access to FEZs, monetary (taxes, fees, etc.) and non-monetary incentives (business environment, cross-border facilitation, etc.), and management capacities of FEZ administration.

List of challenges for FEZ in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan regarding promotion policies, administration and operative management issues at FEZs, taking into account results from recent FEZ/SEZ study in Uzbekistan.

Design of specific recommendations on improving the legal and regulatory framework and other normative documents of FEZs.

Analysis on financial resources required from state budgets:

Differentiated for each of recommended measure;
Calculated return of investment, based on data collected by local consultants May/June2015

Deadline: July 2015
Final Report consists of:

Analysis of present performance;
Analysis of best practices;
Cost-benefit analysis;
Summarized results from stakeholder survey;
List of challenges;
List of recommendations;
Calculation of required resources.

Comprehensive list of overall, national, and specific per FEZ recommendations on support approaches and measures targeting on improved performances of FEZs, including specifications for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; Final report on assignment submitted and approved by UNDP.

Responsibility for Expenses and their Reimbursement:

The IC will be responsible for all personal local travel, living and accommodation, and these expenses are included in the total amount offered by the contract.

The schedule for reimbursement is release of payment of 30% of total at day of delivering a brief workplan, 40% on day of delivering the final report, and 30% on approval of the final report by IRH Team Leader.

Duration, Monitoring and Reporting:

The assignment is scheduled to begin in April 2015. The successful candidate will report to the AFT project coordinators in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Reporting will be based on deliverables specified in the above.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Advanced computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.);
Good communication and analytical skills as well as excellent writing skills;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in economics. Preferably majors in international relations development or international trade (Criteria A)

Experience:

At least 5 years of work experience in conducting cost-effectiveness analysis, studies, surveys or other relevant assignments, especially in areas related to FEZs (at least 2 topic-related assignments conducted) (Criteria B);
Minimum five (5) years’ of proven experience in technical assistance related to policy advice at national and local level, previous experience in carrying out similar assignments is preferable (Criteria C);
Good knowledge of developing FEZ related strategic documents; knowledge on current situation on FEZs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is an asset (Criteria D);
Strong understanding of the legal framework of FEZ; ability to provide recommendations to the legal and regulatory framework and other normative documents of FEZs (Criteria E;
Demonstrated expertise and experience in sector assessments, including development of response programmes, improving FDI policies, regulations, and attractiveness (Criteria F).

Language skills:

Excellent skills in written and spoken English are mandatory;
Good Tajik, Kyrgyz and Russian language skills are welcome (Criteria G).

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The contract will be awarded to this applicant whose offer is evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

Criteria A, B, C – each max points: 5
Criteria D, E, F, G – each max points: 3
Interview, evaluated by focusing on criteria B, C, D – combined max points: 8

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount in US Dollar (USD) for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs). Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org. General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.