Empleos en el PNUD - 59315- International Consultant on Capacity-building for

International Consultant on Capacity-building for MEDT Staff in Forecasting, Modelling, Developing Trade Indicators, and Analyzing Impact of Regional Trade Integration Processes on the Republic of Tajikistan

Localidad :

Dushanbe, Tayikistán

Tipo de contrato :

Individual Contract

Fecha de comienzo del contrato :

21-Sep-2015

Fecha límite de postulación :

07-Sep-15 (Medianoche Nueva York, Estados Unidos)

Nivel de puesto :

International Consultant

Duración del contrato inicial :

September 2015 – December 2015

Idiomas requeridos :

Inglés Ruso

Duración esperada del puesto :

50 working days during 4 months (maximum 20 days in the country including 2 missions to Tajikistan)

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Antecedentes

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 July 2015, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan (MEDT) requested UNDP to provide technical support to government initiative on increasing capacity of the Ministry of economic development and trade on forecasting, modelling, developing trade indicators, and analysing impact of regional trade integration processes on the Republic of Tajikistan. (Request letter ? 11/2 – 635 from 07.07.2015). This will improve government’s ability to project regional impacts on the national economy and come up with the preventive measurements to secure economic stability of the population of the country.

Taking into account all abovementioned, UNDP through its AFT project is going to support MEDT in increasing capacity of the Ministry of economic development and trade on forecasting, modelling, developing trade indicators, and analysing impact of regional trade integration processes on the Republic of Tajikistan by provision of one International Consultant and two Local consultants.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Goals and objectives:

Main target is to provide support to MEDT on analyzing, forecasting and modelling of economic developments related to trade and investments regarding to national legislation, and regional and international agreements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the UNDP AFT National Coordinator, the International Consultant will closely work with Ministry of economic development and trade of the Republic of Tajikistan. Main target is to provide support to MEDT on analyzing, forecasting and modelling of economic developments related to trade and investments regarding to national legislation, and regional and international agreements. Main instruments and means to be applied are:

Conduct training seminars/ workshops;
Conduct on-job trainings for employees of the Ministry of forecasting,
analysis and modeling of the impact of the regional trade integration processes on the Republic of Tajikistan;
Conduct training seminars/workshops for MEDT staff on evaluation of regional and world crises affecting national economy.

The main tasks of the International consultant will be but not limited with following:

To analyze the impact of multilateral and bilateral international and regional integration processes, and the membership of the Republic of Tajikistan to the WTO and trade agreements;
In close coordination with MEDT, conduct capacity assessment of ministry’s staff, define main gaps and priorities for capacity building. Jointly with MEDT develop a Capacity Building programmefor short –term period;
Conduct training seminars and workshops for employees of the Ministry of the use and application of partial equilibrium model (SMART by WITS) for analyzing and designing best practices regarding trade policies, specificallyon export, import, and tariff regulations regarding revenues and national welfare;
Conduct training seminars and workshops for employees of the Ministry on the use and application of gravity models in order to assess and forecast trade impacts on the national economy;
Conduct training seminars and workshops for employees of the Ministry on analyzing trends and developments going on in the global economy, especially with the countries with which the Republic of Tajikistan has close trade and economic relations;
Provide analytical materials and offers for the Ministry in order to conduct similar studies and assessments in the future;
Develop indicators measuring impact of trade agreements by Trade Specialization Index (TSI), the index of Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), and index on Bilateral Revealed Comparative Advantages (BRCA) to ensure appropriate following-up processes.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Proven problem-solving skills creative thinking to develop and implement smart business solutions in a challenging economic environment;
Proven ability to develop high-level policy briefs, strategies, including experience in conducting cost effectiveness analysis.
Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Ability to work independently as well as part of a fairly big team;
aving skills and knowledge to the modern information technologies and to the analysis of statistic data;
Having skills on provision of consultancies to the civil servants on the economic topics;
Extensive knowledge of computer applications;
Excellent communication skills;
Excellent analytical skills;
Strong oral and writing skills;
Ability to operate under strict time limits.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in macroeconomics is essential, and certificates in macro-economic modelling are appreciated. (Availability of scientific degree is welcomed).

Experience:

At least 8 years of experience in economic modelling, econometrics, macro-economic analysis, market analysis and surveillance, and analyzing;
Of which at least 5 years of experience with national / local government agencies, research institutions and international organizations on the issues of economic modelling, econometrics;
High level of awareness and understanding of the economic situation in Tajikistan and Central Asia region with the consideration of the current integrational processes on the post- soviet union area. High level of awareness of the bilateral and multilateral agreements in EU, CU, WTO; Demonstrated experience in working with government agencies and interagency working groups; Demonstrated experience in planning, coordination and conducting of the workshops/seminars and focus groups in a participatory manner;
Good knowledge of administrative and regulatory framework, and private sector development in former Soviet Union economic, administrative, and legal environment.

Language skills:

Knowledge of English welcomed;
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/va/upload/va/ICPN_International%20Consultant%20on%20capacity-building%20for%20MEDT%20staff%20in%20forecasting,%20modelling,%20developing%20trade%20indicators,%20and%20analyzing%20impact.docx

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.