Government of Nepal (GoN)
Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS)
Nepal Enhanced Capacities for Trade and Development (NECTRADE) Project
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Notice for Expression of Interest (EoI)
Date of Publication: June 11, 2014
The Government of Nepal (GoN), Ministry of Commerce & Supplies (MoCS) is implementing EIF-Tier 1 project called Nepal Enhanced Capacities for Trade &
Development (NECTRADE) with support from Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) at WTO, Geneva. For the process of review and update of Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2010, part of the proceeds of the Grant need to be used for the consultancy services to assist NECTRADE, (MoCS), GoN.
NECTRADE Project of MoCS, GoN invites Expression of Interest (EoI) from interested Individual International consultants for the purpose of shortlisting to carry out the task of review & update of NTIS-2010. The EoI shall be submitted in a sealed envelope to the Nepal Enhanced Capacities for Trade and Development (NECTRADE) Project, Ministry of Commerce & Supplies (MoCS), Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal no later than the 5 p.m. on the 21st day from the publication of this notice. The EoI received shall be subject to eligibility as per the criteria for shortlisting.
In case the last day for submission of EoI falls on public holiday, it can be submitted on the following working day within 5 pm. Only short listed individuals shall be invited for Request for Proposal (RFP).The signed EoI documents can also be send through the email in the below email address:
info@eifnepal.gov.np; rooj25@gmail.com
NECTRADE reserves the right to short list any or all individuals without assigning any reasons whatsoever. Further information or clarification can be obtained from NECTRADE, MoCS, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal office at +977-01-4233215 and 4233217 during office hours (nepali time) which is 10:00 am to 5:00pm. The EoI document is available in www.mocs.gov.np and www.eifnepal.gov.np
Terms of Reference (ToR) of International Consultant For Review & Update of Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 (DTIS-Nepal)
1. BACKGROUND
1-a) Government of Nepal (GoN), Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) has been implementing EIF-Tier 1 Project called Nepal Enhanced Capacities for Trade & Development (NECTRADE) since April 2010 with support from Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) at WTO Geneva. For the process of review and update of Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2010, part of the proceeds of the Grant needs to be used for the consultancy services to assist NECTRADE, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS), GoN.
1-b) The MoCS has taken steps to benefit from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) mechanism, a global initiative for trade related capacity building of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). GoN has established a National Implementation Arrangement (NIA) for EIF implementation in Nepal. The NIA comprises a National Steering Committee (NSC), led by the Chief Secretary of GoN and concerned secretaries, business leaders and other high level officials included as members; Secretary of MoCS as a Focal Point; a National Implementation Unit (NIU), led by the Joint Secretary, Planning and International Trade Cooperation Division (PITCD), MoCS, among others. The NIU is responsible for coordinating EIF activities and their implementation at the national level. The GoN launched NTIS in June 2010 to support export trade development of the country, which is under implementation.
1-c) MoCS launched the NECTRADE Project under the financial and technical assistance of EIF to facilitate the trade capacity development of Nepal. The project is designed to strengthen the NIA to enhance Nepal's ownership of Aid for Trade (AfT) and maximize the benefits that the country can derive from participation in international trading system including WTO.
1-d) The NECTRADE Project of MoCS now wishes to hire a qualified and experienced International Consultant (NTIS Review & Update Advisor/Expert), to support MoCS/NIU in discharging its responsibilities, particularly for conducting Review and Update of NTIS 2010. It encompasses the attention to consultation and collaboration with MoCS, EIF NIA including the NSC, NIU, Development Partners and relevant stakeholders. The incumbent Consultant is also expected to show initiative and advice as and when required to NIU staffs in all program components to enable them to achieve theprogram’s objectives.
1-e) It is further expected that the Consultant will observe at all times the highest standard of professional ethics and integrity, and promote result-oriented approach in the area of his/her responsibility and accountability.
2. OBJECTIVE
The prime responsibility of the incumbent Consultant will be to assist MoCS/NECTRADE to review and update NTIS 2010 including evaluation and review of the overall NTIS- 2010 implementation process and developing NTIS monitoring and evaluation matrix in close collaboration with the National Consultant.
3. DETAIL SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES
The Consultant shall provide the services for conducting Review and Update of NTIS 2010 as described in Section 2 of this Terms of Reference. The Consultant shall ensure that the services carried out are fully adequate to attain the objectives set out by the project. The Consultant’s duties shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
A. Develop Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix for NTIS
B. Review of the implementation process and status of the NTIS-2010
C. Examine the existing indicators of NTIS for selecting exportable products and recommend additional indicators, if necessary, while updating the NTIS.
D. Conduct detailed analysis of the export potential products on the basis of indicators as developed above and previous studies carried out by different sectors.
E. Recommend implementable suggestions by using appropriate analytical tools and develop comprehensive action matrix by incorporating activities, main responsible agencies, supporting agencies, time frame, expected result, export target of each potential products, required for each activity, funding mechanism and monitoring and evaluation mechanism:
- Recommend high export potential products (goods and services) through the substantive analysis.
- Recommend actions to be carried out for entire value chain development of each selected products.
- Recommend major activities to be carried out for addressing the cross cutting issues.
- Develop resource mobilization strategy and action plan for updated NTIS implementation.
- Identify and develop possible capacity needs of ministry, line-ministries, private sectors and key stakeholders in order to implement NTIS more effectively.
- Prioritize the products (goods and Services).
F. Prepare an updated version of Nepal Trade Integration Strategy based upon the analysis and recommendations as above.
G. S/he shall work closely with National Consultant and under the overall guidance of NTIS Review and Update: Steering Committee and close supervision of NTIS Review and Update: Technical Committee in order to discharge his responsibility as mentioned above.
4. METHODOLOGY FOR NTIS REVIEW and UPDATE:
4-a) The major procedures and activities during the process of NTIS review and update are as follows:
- Discussion on NTIS Review & Updates agenda in different forums.
- Hire National Consultant and prepare inception report (including Indicators for selection export potential products & modality of the entire task to be completed).
- Public notice for collecting views from stakeholders to explore new areas of export potentiality and also to improve action matrix.
- Conduct necessary literature review including the previous studies carried out by different sectors on export potential products.
- Obtain services of international consultant at the beginning, middle and final stage of the entire process.
- Stakeholders' consultation program including line agencies, private sector, experts and DPs.
- Focus group discussions in particular sector and issues, public-private dialogues & interaction at central & local levels with concerned agencies and stakeholders.
- Regional workshops
- Analyze the information and prepare draft report covering all areas as per ToR of national expert.
- Regular discussion in NTIS Review and Update Technical Committee and Steering Committee.
- Discussion on draft report with key agencies and stakeholders.
- Revision of the draft report.
- Getting feedback and suggestions on the draft report from EIF ES, Geneva and TFM.
- Organize a validation workshop.
- Finalize the review & updated strategy with support from international consultant.
- Recommendation from NSC & approval from GoN (Cabinet).
- Publish the updated NTIS in English and Nepali languages.
- Launching of the updated NTIS and implementation
The Consultant shall be fully responsible to prepare the final report and the final version of the updated NTIS. S/he would be involved in a number of activities from the list above which would be prior agreed upon between the MoCS and the consultant in order to discharge his/her responsibilities.
4-b) The International Consultant shall work closely with National Consultant/Consultancy firm to discharge his/her responsibility as mentioned above. MoCS may also depute some government officials in order to facilitate discharging his/her responsibility as per the ToR.
4-c) The entire expenses related to various discussions, meetings, workshops and National Consultant will be borne by the MoCS/NECTRADE.
4-d) The International Consultant shall be engaged for 14 working days at the beginning after the National Consultant starts working, where he/she would provide conceptual, strategic, analytical and technical framework and tools for conducting the entire task including development of M&E framework, analysis of indicators and product value chain in close collaboration with the National Consultant. Likewise, his/her services shall be obtained for 7 working days in middle, where he/she would provide technical suggestion and feedback from his/her own work place (country of residence; online) on the initial draft prepared by National Consultant based on the framework developed at the beginning. Finally, the consultant shall be engaged at the final sage for 24 working days, where he/she will be fully responsible to revise and finalize the report and prepare the final updated version of Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) based on the analysis by using appropriate tools and techniques and ensuring completion of the consultancy services as mentioned in the Detail Scope of Consultancy Services in section 3 above with an assurance of the highest standards and international quality. However, there could be flexibility in the working modality and timeframe with the approval of NTIS Review and Update Technical Committee.
5. INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM FOR CONDUCTING THE REVIEW AND UPDATE OF NTIS 2010
5-a) The Government of Nepal has formed two levels of committees to coordinate, manage and conduct the task of review and updates of NTIS 2010. An NTIS Review and Update Steering Committee have been established under the leadership of Secretary to Ministry of Commerce and Supplies in order to provide overall guidance, coordinate and manage the entire task. The committee comprises Joint Secretaries (Coordinators of six EIF Technical Committees and Joint Secretaries some other relevant ministries) from concerned ministries and agencies, representatives from private sector, Donor Facilitator and also expert member to ensure the effective coordination and quality assurance of the entire task.
5-b) Similarly, an NTIS Review and Updates Technical Committee has been formed under the leadership of Joint Secretary and NIU Chief, MoCS to work closely with the national and international expert and provide regular feedback for the task. The committee includes WTO Focal Points from Ministry of Agricultural Development, Ministry of Finance, National Planning Commission, Ministry of Industry and some officials from MoCS. Both the committees can invite concerned officials and experts in the meeting as per the need. In addition, the EIF National Steering Committee will also oversee the entire task of the NTIS Review and Updates and provide necessary feedback as required.
6. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum required qualification for the International Consultant is as follows:
6-a) Masters’ degree, preferably PhD in relevant areas such as economics, management, economic development, international economics, and international business/trade.
6-b) At least 12 years (9 years for PhD) of similar work experience in trade policy/advisory services and trade development cooperation at the international level
6-c) Proven track record and experience on the Trade & Economic development, program formulation, implementation and M&E.
6-d) Academic background and work experiences in quantitative analysis and research work in trade sector development.
6-e) Experience in preparation and update of DTIS or export strategy of LDCs and developing countries would be additional benefit.
6-f) Trade statistics analytical skills
6-g) Excellent written and spoken skills in English.
7. DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY SERVICES
The duration of the consultancy services will be 45 working days within a period of four months with effect from the date of agreement between the MoCS/NECTRADE and the Consultant.
8. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Consultant will report his/her progress to the Joint Secretary & NIU Chief through the EIF National Program Manager. S/he will work closely with National Consultant and NTIS Review and Update Technical Committee. S/He will provide an inception report proposing his/her work modality of 45 working days program and then will report weekly. Reporting will be discussed and disseminated among NTIS Review and update Technical committee and Steering Committee. The consultant will provide final report based on the above mentioned ToR.
However, the Consultant shall submit the reports clearly showing the planned target versus actual job accomplished at the end of each stage/visit, including at the time of submission of Draft and Final report. The Consultant shall submit the report totalling 4 copies (1 original and 3 photo copies), in the manner as follows, but not necessarily is limited to:
i. Inception report within the 5 days of the commencement of the work.
ii. Progress Report after each stage (at the beginning, middle, and end)
iii. Draft Final Report approximately 15 days before expiry of the Contract.
iv. Final Completion Report within 30 days after the expiry of the contract.
v. Other relevant reports as required by the Project.
9. LOGISTIC SUPPORT
The NECTRADE Project of MoCS shall provide the office space, desktop computer and telecommunication facilities within the project premises to the Consultant to perform day to day work effectively.
10. Copyright
Any materials produced for the purpose of this consultancy contract shall be the copyright property of the Ministry of Commerce and supplies, Government of Nepal.
Eligible CRITERIA for Short-listing
The Eligible Criteria for the Individual International Consultants shall be as follows:
1. Master Degree in economics, management, economic development, International economics or International business/trade.
2. At least 12 years (9 years for PhD) of Trade Policy/advisory services, Consultancy Service Trade Development Cooperation at International Level.
3. Academic background and work experiences in quantitative analysis and research work in trade sector development.
4. Experience in preparation and update of DTIS or export strategy of LDCs and developing countries.
5. Trade statistics analytical skills.
6. Proven Track record and experience on the Trade & Economic development, program formulation, implementation & M&E.
7. Excellent written and spoken English language skills.
8. Hard Copies or Scanned Copies of degrees, qualifications and work experience certificates.
9. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Consultant showing Key Qualification, Education, Employment Record, Language Proficiency, other relevant.
10. The Consultant must commit to adhere to the code of ethics and anti-corruption policy.