Request for Expression of Interest for Lead International Final Evaluation Consultant (EIF Tier 2 “CEDEP I” Final Evaluation)

KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

NATION – RELIGION – KING

Ministry of Commerce

General Directorate for International Trade

Department of International Cooperation

Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

Request for Expression of Interest for

Lead International Final Evaluation Consultant

(EIF Tier 2“CEDEP I” Final Evaluation)

(Ref: EIF/2016/037)

(Output-based)

In December 2007, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) launched the Cambodia Trade Integration Strategy (DTIS 2007), which describes a comprehensive reform program to improve the business environment and create the conditions to help exporters strengthen their supply capacity. Cambodia exporters are bound to improve their competitiveness to offset the negative impact of disappearing tariff preferences and advantages and to take advantage of market access offered under bilateral and multilateral trade arrangements. In this perspective, urgent reforms are imperative in trade facilitation, investment facilitation, intellectual property protection, technical standards and packaging, sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards, trade information and promotion. To operationalize the DTIS 2007, the Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with key stakeholders and the support of Cambodia’s development partners, launched in 2008 a Trade Sector-wide Approach (aka Trade SWAp), structuring the DTIS implementation along three pillars: (1) Reforms and cross-cutting issues, (2) Products and services development and (3) Capacity development for trade.

To support the implementation of the Trade SWAp, the Cambodia Export Diversification and Expansion Program (CEDEP I), which is funded by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Trust Fund, aims at strengthening and diversifying export supply capacity in selected Pillar 2 sectors: High Value Silk and Milled Rice. The program also includes an Evaluation Function Component intended, in part, to strengthen the capacity of the Department of International Cooperation (DICO), within the MoC, to monitor and evaluate substantive progress of Cambodia’s Trade SWAp. CEDEP I was approved by the EIF Board on 6 August 2012 with a total budget of US$2,407,714 for three years project implementation (2012 - 2014).

The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for Trade-Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) to least-developed countries (LDCs) is a process that was first established in 1997 to support LDC governments in trade capacity building and integrating trade issues into overall national development strategies. The EIF has three main objectives: (1) to "mainstream" (integrate) trade into the national strategic development plan (NSDP) such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) of least-developed countries and (2) to assist in the coordinated delivery of TRTA in response to needs identified by the LDCs (3) Build capacity to trade, which also includes addressing critical supply-side constraints. The EIF is built on the principles of country ownership and partnership.

For that purpose, the Ministry of Commerce is seeking the support of an International Consultant to conduct CEDEP I final evaluation in line with OECD/DAC evaluation criteria, the recommendations of the EIF/ES , the current Trade SWAp structure and implementation and make recommendations on ways and means to improve its efficiency. The Lead International Consultant will work together with a National Consultant who will have separate complementary TOR. It is expected that the incumbent would observe at all times in the highest standard of professional ethics and integrity, and promote results-oriented approach in the area of his/her responsibility and accountability.

The International Consultant will be based in DICO, MoC (DICO is acting as the Trade SWAp Secretariat, National Implementation Unit of the EIF and Executive Agency of the Trade Development Support Program). She/he will work under the general direct supervision and guidance of the EIF Focal Point and in collaboration with the NIU Director. The consultant’s assignment is expected to be for a maximum of 30 (thirty) working days, most of them in-country. The Consultant will conduct an independent evaluation of Cambodia’s CEDEP I project, during quarter three of 2016. The consultant must use the OECD/DAC Criteria for evaluating development assistance.

Master Degree in International Trade, International Economics or Development Studies;
At least 8 years of relevant professional work experience in monitoring and evaluation works in developing countries;
Proven experience in developing and evaluating strategies, programme and project documents in the context of trade-related technical assistance projects and programmes, with strong focus on Aid Effectiveness;
Proven experience in working with trade development projects and programmes, particularly Aid for Trade, sector-specific issues, and development issues; good understanding of the EIF will be an added advantage;
Proven experience in working with Governments and networking with national and international stakeholders, preferably in Asian LDCs in the area of trade mainstreaming and trade related technical assistance;
A strong and proven track record in applying qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods;
Data analysis and interpretation skills;
Good report writing skills; and

In submitting their expressions of interest, consultants are kindly requested to indicate the following reference: Ref: EIF/2016/037. Interested consultants must provide their updated curriculum vitae, indicating personal and technical skills, academic qualifications, experience in similar assignments, and experience in Cambodia and/or other developing countries along with the names of at least three (3) referees with contact information (e-mail address, telephone or fax numbers). Expressions of Interest shall be submitted in hard copy followed by an electronic copy.

Interested consultants may obtain copies of the detailed Terms of Reference (in English) for the assignment by sending a request by Email or from the address below during office hours from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:30 hours, Monday through Friday, except public holidays.

Expressions of interest must be submitted to the address below no later than 15th June 2016 (before 17:00 hours).

The Department of International Cooperation (DICO)

PhumToeukThla, Russian Blvd., SangkatToeukThla,

Khan SenSok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tel/Fax No: (855) 023 866 064

Job status

closed

Open dates

Thu, 06/02/2016 - 09:00