Background

The UNDP-implemented regional project “Aid for Trade for Central Asia” is 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.

The AFT project in phase IV will focus on supporting Central Asian countries in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth patterns in rural areas and within green productive sectors. The project will work on the macro (policy), meso (trade support institutions) and micro (SMEs & producers) levels ensuring that interventions at the three levels are mutually supportive to ensure a focused impact level. Two cross-cutting themes will be gender equality and environmental sustainability.

Building on the extensive experience, lessons learned and results from previous phases, the AFT project will work on promoting inclusive and sustainable pathways through the promotion of productive capacities and increasing trade through the identification of niche products, which can contribute to greening local production, while also increasing the quality and quantity of jobs, especially for women and young people living in rural areas.

In Tajikistan, the project will focus on the following three levels:

  1. Enabling policies and regulations for inclusive and trade oriented private sector development (macro level);
  2. Trade support institutions that provide efficient services to the private sector (meso level);
  3. More efficient and competitive producers and processors contributing to sustainable human development through the development of green productive capacities. Targeted support to women and young entrepreneurs to access private sector opportunities (micro level).

The Trade support institutions (TSIs) play a vital role in ensuring the competitiveness of the private sector. Through their advisory services to SMEs, as well as trainings, they share the latest information regarding business management practices as well as export requirements. TSIs can also play an important role in value chain management and technological upgrades, therefore the AFT project will work with TSIs to improve their services providing to the private sector.

In 2018, the AFT project has conducted a survey of the existing needs of Trade support institutions, as well as a permanent assessment of their needs in training topics. The survey shown that one of the many problems which mainly faced by TSIs is lack of qualified specialists/experts to provide qualified consulting services to the private sector.

Based on needs assessment, among of many priorities and needs for capacity building of TSIs, the issues related to the value chains aspects, green products, export, quality standards, marketing issues and others have been defined.  Among of topics stated by TSIs, an introduction of bio/organic standards at SMEs have been stated as one of the most important and necessary topics which are in need by enterprises for further promotion of their products to the external markets.   

Moreover, the AFT project currently working on promotion of Tajik products to EU countries and during negotiations with potential buyers/retailers , it was revealed, that many buyers/retailers in EU are interesting in bio/organic products, which has an EU certificate. The EU Green Leaf (EU Regulation EEC No. 834/2007 of Organic Production) certificate considered by EU buyers as one of the most necessary certificates and accepted by many EU buyers. And having the bio/organic certificates for products, gives the big opportunities to the Tajik products to export to EU countries.

The sufficient capacity of TSIs is considered as a one of the most important priority, which has a direct impact to sustainability of trade support institutions. It is assumed, that support to TSIs on above-mentioned areas will improve their capacity and have a long-term positive impact in provision of consulting services to SMEs, which in turn also will improve the management of SMEs and competitiveness of Tajik products.

The implementation of this sub-project will also possibly contribute to the SDGs - 8.1.1, 9.3.1, 17.11.1, like:

  • 8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
  • 8.1.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita
  • 9.3 Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets
  • 9.3.1 Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added
  • 17.11 Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020
  • 17.11.1 Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global exports

To assist in the implementation of these priorities, the UNDP, in the framework of Aid for Trade project, intends to hire an International Consultant to conduct a training on the aspects relating on introduction of EU Regulation EEC No. 834/2007 of Organic Production, mainly known as an EU Green Leaf standard at SMEs to the several selected TSIs. 

More specifically, this Terms of Reference relates to the implementation of sub-project under the Sub-Output 1.2. Trade support institutions that provide efficient services to the private sector; and Activity 1.2.1. Capacity building measures for TSIs to improve and establish new services, including special for women entrepreneurs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Aid for Trade Project Specialist in Tajikistan, the Individual Consultant (IC) will undertake the following tasks:

  1. Develop the structure and methodology on how the training will be conducted with the steps and approaches described.
  2. Develop a training module for a 5-days training on the aspects related to implementation of the EU Regulation EEC No. 834/2007 of Organic Production (EU Green Leaf) at enterprises which also should include the following issues:
  • detailed study of the requirements of Regulation EEC No. 834/2007 of Organic Production (EU Green Leaf) standard;
  • the methodology of elaboration of documentation;
  • main requirements of organic agriculture;
  • improving of soil fertility and Integrated Pest Management (IPM);
  • introduction of agrotechnical measures at bio-farms and processing enterprises;
  • conduction of Internal Control System monitoring and management (tools and procedures etc);
  • practical cases – studying of practical case studies adapted to TJK conditions;
    1. Develop the programme of the training, presentations and handouts in English or Russian (official standards on Regulation EEC No. 834/2007 of Organic Production (EU Green Leaf), training module), practical case studies to learn and share the positive experience, which adapted to the TJK conditions;
    2. Conduct a 5-days training for at least 10 representatives/staff of selected 6 TSIs on above-mentioned thematic.
    3. Develop pre- and post-training tests and conduct the test of participants on level of improved knowledge.
    4. Assess the participants on learned topics on Regulation EEC No. 834/2007 of Organic Production (EU Green Leaf) and issue the certificates to participants after successful passing of training from relevant accreditation bodies certifying that trained consultant are eligible to provide services as an internal auditor on introduction of standard on Regulation EEC No. 834/2007 of Organic Production (EU Green Leaf).
    5. Prepare final report on performed activities and results achieved.

For detailed information, please refer to annex 2- Terms of Reference. 

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
  • 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;

Functional competencies:

  • Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
  • Ability to operate under strict time limits.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Agriculture, Economy, Business Administration or related disciplines (Criteria A);
  • More than 5 (five) years of experience in provision of services in introduction of International quality standards for bio/organic products (EU organic standards, like Green Leaf, Green Globe Standard, etc), organizing and conducting trainings, introduction of EU Green Leaf standard at SMEs. (Criteria B);
  • Having certification or accreditation at European accreditation bodies. Not less than 3 years of practical experience in conducting of external audits for the compliance of the products and production processes with the organic standards of EU; (Criteria C);
  • At least 2 years of practical experience in the field of promotion of consulting services; (Criteria D);

Languages:

  • Language skills: fluent English is required. Good knowledge of Russian is considered an asset (Criteria E);

Application Procedure:

Please follow the link to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and follow the application procedures indicated in the downloaded ICPN: 

http://www.undp.tj/va/upload/va/ICPN%20AFT%20EU%20Organic%20standard%20final.pdf

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.