UNDP Jobs - 89057- International Consultant to support international

International Consultant to support international trade policy development of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan

Location :

Home-based with 2 missions to ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

27-Dec-2019

Application Deadline :

18-Dec-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

December 2019 – January 2020

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan (Ministry) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are implementing a project entitled “Strengthening the Trade Capacity of Turkmenistan for the period of 2019-2021”. The project is focused on supporting the Government of Turkmenistan in institutional and personnel capacity development by enhancing knowledge of national personnel and increasing the efficiency of using trade regulation instruments, which are specified by the existing international agreements of Turkmenistan.

The project will be implemented under a National implementation modality. National implementing partner will be the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan and it will oversee all aspects of project implementation. Overall governance of the project will be carried out by the Project Board, which primarily consists of representatives from the Ministry and UNDP as well as representatives from Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. The Project Board is the overall authority for the Project and is responsible for its initiation, direction, review and eventual closure.

One of the objectives of the current project is to enhance the level of competitiveness of national economy by strengthening qualification of professional staff. Strengthening qualification of national professionals will be directed towards training of specialists demanded by modern economy, market analysis through applied scientific researches, establishment of contacts with foreign and international organizations that would sufficiently enable national professionals determining international trade policy development.

UNDP is planning to engage international expert with the hands-on experience to conduct the assessment of needs in training and professional development related to foreign and domestic trade issues. Based on the results of the assessment special training programmes will be developed for the specialists of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Customs Service, the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, and other national trade professionals of Turkmenistan. These training programmes will include disciplines as Trade Policy, Art of Negotiation, Instruments for regulation of trade in goods and services, Conflicts in International Trade and Interests of Individual Countries – Regions, and others.

Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with the above-mentioned objective of the assignment and under the supervision of the Project Specialist, the International Consultant (IC) will have the objective of transferring knowledge and expertise to the national trade representatives through provision of seminar in international trade policy development. To achieve the objective, he or she will perform the following:

Deliverable 1:

Carry out analyses and desk work on current state of trade development in Turkmenistan;
Conduct consultations with representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Customs Service, the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, and other national trade professionals of Turkmenistan to explore functions and tasks of existing agencies responsible for trade related issues;
Assess needs in training and professional development related to foreign and domestic trade issues, including, but not limited to existing customs regulations in the markets of third countries that are adversely affecting current and potential interests of Turkmenistan, and identify relevant training programme with clearly indicated disciplines.

Duration and timeframe:

5 working days for analyses and desk work, December 2019 (home based);
5 working days for consultations with national partners, January 2020 (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan);
5 working days for needs assessment, January 2020 (home based);
5 working days for curriculum preparation, January 2020 (home based).

Deliverable 2:

Deliver a training seminar for national staff in the form of lectures, practical sessions, masterclasses, problem solving exercises and simulation of case studies on identified topics;
Prepare a final consultancy report with recommendations on enhancing the existing trade related agencies’ capacities and synergy for their international cooperation.

Duration and timeframe:

5 working days for conducting training seminar, January 2020 (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan);
5 working days for final report, January 2020 (home based).

Payment conditions:

This is an installment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy. Payment will be released in two installments: 1st installment: 60% (for deliverable 1) and 2nd installment 40% (for deliverable 2) – upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge of and extensive experience working with UN international trade development mechanisms;
Excellent training, facilitation and communication skills;
Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
Good understanding and practice of capacity development;
Cultural sensitivity;
Diplomatic skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (at least master’s degree) in a relevant field, such as economics, business administration, international trade law or a related field with a particular focus on international trade policy development.

Experience:

At least 7 years of working experience in institutional and personnel capacity building in the area of international trade policy development;
Experience in institutional and personnel capacity building in the area of international trade policy development;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia is an advantage;
Good knowledge of the UN, WTO mandate in the area of international trade policy development is an asset.

Language requirements:

Excellent written and spoken English; fluent Russian is an asset.

Submission of applications:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

Brief (1-2 pages) description of the methodology for the assignment. However, the specific design and methods for the workshop will be determined from consultations among UNDP Turkmenistan Economic Diversification program unit, the expert, and the national partner (Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan) about what is appropriate and feasible to meet the goals of the technical seminar;
Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form named "Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest" can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html . The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.);
Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
Resume /CV.

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/?ompliant and
Having received the highest score – out of 100

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 100 points, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

Education in the area of economics, business administration, international trade law or a related field with a particular focus on international trade policy development – 20 pts;
The experience in provision of recommendation and evaluation especially in relation to international trade development systems and mechanisms – 25 pts;
Methodology – 10 pt;
Relevant working experience – 15 pts;
Good knowledge of the UN mandate in the area of democratic governance – 5 pts;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia – 10 pts;
Fluency in English – 10 pts;
Fluency in Russian – 5 pts.

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.