UNDP Jobs - 58607- International Consultant on Developing the State P

International Consultant on Developing the State Programme on “Export Promotion and Increasing Competitiveness” (EPIC) for the Republic of Tajikistan

Location :

Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

25-Aug-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

50 working days during 4 months within August 2015 – November 2015

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: Aid for Trade for Central Asia” (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.

UNDP’s 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: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 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).

In 2013, Republic of Tajikistan became 159th full member of World Trade Organization. With acceding to this organization, the economic relationship of the country has been taken to another level. Membership in this organization provides opportunities to Tajikistan to form in country transparent, predictable and most important a trade system that complies with international requirements and to solve the problems of finding an export market and increase product competitiveness. Currently, the UNDP AFT project is supporting government on national and local levels in the field of trade policy improvement, elaboration of trade development programmes, fulfilment of WTO obligations, National Development Strategy etc.

In June 2015, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan (MEDT) requested UNDP to provide technical support to government initiative on elaboration of the State Programme on “Export promotion and increasing competitiveness (EPIC) for the Republic of Tajikistan”. The State Programme on “Export promotion and increasing competitiveness” (EPIC) for the Republic of Tajikistan will provide a Trade Roadmap for the country for the mid term period of 2016-2020 and long-term perspective via integration with the currently formulating a National Development Strategy (NDS) for the period of 2016-2030.

Taking into account all abovementioned, UNDP through its AFT project is going to support MEDT in development of State Programme on “Export promotion and increasing competitiveness” (EPIC) for the Republic of Tajikistan by provision of one International Consultant and 2 Local consultants (one on export promotion and second on improving competitiveness).

Duties and Responsibilities

Goals and objectives

Under the supervision of the UNDP AFT National Coordinator, the International Consultant will closely work with established inter-ministerial Working Group on EPIC formulation and two local consultants (one on export promotion and one on increasing competitiveness who are going to supplement and provide additional inputs for the inter-ministerial WG and international consultant). The International Consultant (IC) will have overall responsibility for producing the final program document, and ensures adoption of participatory approach in the formulation process, in order to secure ownership by all stakeholders, including public authorities, private sector and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant will be responsible for provision of draft State Programme on “Export promotion and increasing competitiveness” (EPIC) of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The International consultant should ensure inclusion of following parts when drafting EPIC:

Background and economic context;
Issues and institutional arrangements;
Institutional infrastructure for export;
Functional export support services;
Sectorial policy support to the EPIC;
Development leverage areas as enhancing national competitiveness;
Projection of export expansion and diversification and its targets;
Implementation arrangements, dynamics of implementation: immediate and short-term actions, short to medium term actions and medium to long-term actions;
Monitoring and evaluation of the programme.

In this regard, International Consultant will have to:

Analyze existing studies and state strategies/programmesrelated to export promotionand increasing competitiveness in Tajikistan by taking into consideration social and economic factors of the country; Identify and describe role of export support institutions and required incentives by the government;
Conduct analysis of local and international legislation in the field of EPIC within WTO and bilateral trade agreements and provide recommendations to the inter-ministerial WG on policy improvement, export promotion and competitiveness increase in the field of EPIC;
Conduct stakeholders (Government, local authorities, business associations, entrepreneurs and etc.) consultations to identify major constrains as well as SWOT analysis in EPIC and provide recommendations that are to be included in the programme;
Interview officials relating to national trade promotion programs to fill gaps in program profiles and to obtain information concerning experience with each type of program and opinions about best practices. Interview private-sector players, including exporters, business associations, and export consultants, to discern any significant differences of opinion about best practices between public and private observers;
Consolidate reports and findings by the Local Consultants and WG and incorporate them into EPIC.
Draft a structure of the State Programme and develop a detailed action plan and methodology for formulating a document by taking into account the country specifics.
Provide draft State Programme on “Export promotion and increasing competitiveness” (EPIC) of the Republic of Tajikistan;
Draft with inter-ministerial WG and MEDT a list of the goods which having potentiality for increasing competitiveness in the country. Prepare necessary analysis of economic effects and benefits for the country from the promotion of these products. Recommend Product and Market Priorities;
Identify priority clusters/sectors/sub-sectors for increasing their competitiveness and identify the most cost-effective approaches appropriate for export promotion;
Prepare monitoring and evaluation tools to track EPIC impact (such as unemployment reduction,income generation, export volume increase, import reduction, investment and etc.) on national level and setup indicators and performance targets for the period (2016-2020) of the programme implementation;
In collaboration with WG ensure integration of EPIC into to the new NDS for the years 2016-2030 with a long term perspective;
Prepare and make presentations on the key findings and recommendations at the national level;
Report to WG on regular basis on programme developments aspects and ensure that comments are introduced appropriately; Conduct consultations with the WG members and Ministry of economic development and trade of the Republic of Tajikistan
Prepare presentation of the programme to WG and other relevant stakeholders.

Competencies

Functional 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;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in business administration, economics, management or other relevant education (availability of scientific degree is welcomed).

Experience:

Minimum five (5) years’of proven experience in technical assistance related to policy advice at national, previous experience in carrying out similar assignments is preferable;
Work experience in conducting cost-effectiveness analysis, studies, surveys and/or other relevant assignments, especially in areas related to trade and economics;
Good knowledge on principals of developing the Export promotion programs or other trade related strategic documents;
High level of awareness and understanding of the economic and political situation in Tajikistan and Central Asia region; Demonstrated experience in working with government agencies and interagency working groups; Demonstrated experience in planning, coordination and facilitation of the workshops and focus groups in a participatory manner;
Demonstrated expertise and experience in programme/sector assessments including the development of response programmes;

Language:

Knowledge of English is mandatory;
Knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik is a strong asset.

Application Procedure:

Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice:

http://www.undp.tj/procurement/panel/uploads/ICPNInternationalConsultantonStateProgrammeDevelopment.docx