Terms of Reference

EIF Tier 1 Project Formulation

South Sudan

Job Title:

International Consultant: Tier 1 project proposal

Agency:

Ministry of Trade Industry and Investment (MTII)

Duty Station:

Home Based with mission to Juba, South Sudan

Reports to:

Enhanced Integrated Framework Focal Point (MTII)                                            

Supervisor:

Undersecretary, Ministry of Trade Industry and Investment  

Deadline

O5 November 2014

Expected starting date

15 November 2014

 

Background

  1. The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is an Aid for Trade partnership in action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The EIF is a multi-donor programme, which supports LDCs to be more active players in the global trading system by helping them tackle supply-side constraints to trade. In this way, the programme works towards a wider goal of promoting economic growth and sustainable development and helping lift more people out of poverty.
  2. The EIF programme creates a genuine partnership among all EIF stakeholders to show results on the ground. Working in close cooperation are donors, six core partner agencies, observer agencies, the Executive Secretariat (ES) and the Trust Fund Manager (TFM) and other development partners who are supporting the LDCs’ own drive to:

•       Mainstream trade into national development strategies;

•       Set up structures needed to coordinate the delivery of trade-related technical assistance; and

•       Build capacity to trade, which also includes addressing critical supply-side constraints.

3.  The EIF process aims to strengthen donors’ support to a country’s trade agenda. LDCs can use the EIF as a vehicle to assist in coordinating donors’  support and to lever more Aid for Trade resources, whereas donors can sign up to the EIF as a vehicle to deliver on their Aid for Trade commitments.

4. The EIF programme became operational with the approval of first projects in mid-2009. Since then, EIF countries have started EIF implementation. Main elements of such an implementation are the preparation of a multi-year EIF programme, preparing proposals for Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects, and undertaking preparatory work for the implementation of such projects.

5. EIF countries are guided in their preparation of multi-year Support to NIA projects (''Tier 1'' projects) by a guidance note. Usually, an EIF country wishing to develop a Tier 1 proposal submits, on the basis of the guidance note, a first draft to the Executive Secretariat (ES) and Trust Fund Manager (TFM).

6. The ES and TFM then submit comments on the proposal and schedule a support and capacity assessment mission. During that mission, the ES and the TFM provide support to the government/Focal Point (FP) to finalize the project proposal, if such support is necessary, and assess the capacity of the government to implement the project. Furthermore, the mission is also an opportunity to disseminate information on the EIF to various stakeholders, in particular the Donor Facilitator (DF), and to prepare the ground as much as possible for the implementation of the EIF programme and the Tier 1 Support to NIA project in particular. 

The EIF in South Sudan

7. In June 2012 south Sudan was granted accession to the Enhanced Integrated Framework for trade related technical assistance for least developed countries LDCs.

8. EIF familiarization workshop was held in Juba from 13 to 14 November 2012 with the active participation of key stakeholders. Overall, there was very good participation from Government stakeholders at the workshop including subnational level.

9. In December 2013, the EIF Board also approved a Pre-DTIS project for South Sudan. The Pre-DTIS project aims to assist the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment (MTII) to establish the national institutional arrangements including the National Steering Committee (NSC) to oversee the EIF programme implementation in South Sudan, including the DTIS process.

10. In January 2013, the EIF Board approved the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) project for South Sudan to be undertaken by UNDP as the Main Implementing Entity. The DTIS project seeks to undertake a study to identify the key constraints that affect the integration of the Republic of South Sudan into the global economy and benefits from the multilateral trading system.

 11. Key result of Pre-DTIS mission was the production of a DTIS concept note which was approved by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan on 18th July 2013 and subsequently approved by Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Executive Board

 12. The DTIS final draft report was validated by the various sectors of South Sudan economy.  The validation workshop which took place between 30th September and 1st October 2014, discussed and validated the draft DTIS report and inputs thus generated were incorporated into the final report that would be used as guiding framework for reform of the business climate and trade policy in the country. It will also provide a detailed analysis of trade constraints, opportunities and put forth recommendations.

Scope of Work

13. The consultant in coordination with the Ministry of Trade Industry and Investment South Sudan will be required to formulate EIF Tier 1 Project Proposal according to the EIF Guidelines. The following areas will be explored during the consultancy for possible incorporation in the Tier 1 project document:

  1. Capacity building needs of different stakeholders, including government departments, the private sector and civil society organizations, pertaining trade policy formulation, implementation and assessment;
  2. Capacity building needs and priorities regarding trade negotiations and implementation and monitoring of trade agreements;
  3. Development of capacity for the formulation of Tier 2 and Aid for Trade projects;
  4. Coordination of all AFT related initiatives in country, linkages to aid/donor coordination and planning. 
  5. Mainstreaming in the national development strategy, and sectoral plans. Review of institutional mechanisms for mainstreaming trade; including intergovernmental coordination and engagement of non-state actors;
  6. Identification of DTIS Action Matrix priorities susceptible to be covered under the Tier 1 project; 
  7. Updating of the DTIS, as needed, towards the end of the first phase of the Tier 1 project;
  8. Management arrangements for the Tier 1 project; and monitoring and evaluation mechanism of project activities and results;
  9. Adequate sequencing; timelines and indicative budgets for all activities.
  10. Sustainability and exist strategies as per EIF guidelines.

Methodology

14. The consultant will work in South Sudan together with the EIF Focal Point and other stakeholders to produce a Tier 1 project document.  Consultations will be held with key stakeholders in government, private sector and civil society. The Tier 1 project should be initially for a term of 3 years, with provision to extend for a further 2 years based on results achieved.

Deliverables

15. The mission is expected to produce a draft Tier 1 project document complete with log frames, relevant terms of reference for national implementation arrangements (i.e. National Implementation Unit; National Steering Committee, etc), as needed; work plan and budget.

16. The consultant will remain available to adjust the draft project document following review and comments by the EIF Secretariat and the EIF Trust Fund Manager aiming at submission of the project for Board approval before the end of the year.

Duration / Time frame            

The formulation will be for a period of five months commencing end of October.

Stage – Tier 1 project formulation and Tier 2 mapping

Timeframe

  1. Home based desk review, inception draft including outline of Tier 1 project and in country consultation plan

5 working days

17 – 21 Nov 2014
  1. In country consultations and identification of priorities for inclusion in the Tier 1 project

5 working days

24 Nov – 05 Dec 2014
  1.  Finalized first draft tier 1 project including log-frame and budget

3 working days

08-10 Dec 2014
  1. Revision of Tier 1 project document, incorporating feedback from Focal Point and other national stakeholders

3 working days

22 – 24 Dec 2014
  1. Subsequent revisions as needed following comments from the EIF Secretariat and TFM

5 working days

19 -23 January 2015
  1. Submission of the final draft Tier 1 project

 

26 January 2014

Qualification required

1)      Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or related field with at least 5 years of experience in trade and development issues;

2)      Understanding and experience in trade, regional economic integration and WTO accession, including policy research and consultancy work

3)      Experience in working with Sub Sahara African Countries, in particular South Sudan

4)      Experience in working in post conflict context is advantage

5)      Experience of trade-related and relevant sectoral issues in South Sudan or East Africa.

6)      Strong and proven verbal and written presentational skills.

7)      Strong analytical skills and proven ability to work with local people.

8)      Ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations.

9)      Knowledge of the UN system preferred

 

Duty station

The consultancy will be home based with mission to Juba, South Sudan

Application Deadline

Those interested in this consultancy should submit their applications to:

1.      Augustine Kenyi, South Sudan EIF FP, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry(MTII) at kenyiagu@yahoo.com  and

2.      David Maker, Programme Analyst, UNDP( david.maker@undp.org) with a copy to

3.       Daniel Kir, Programme Specialist, UNDP(Daniel.kir@undp.org)   by 5pm on 5th November, 2014

Job status
closed
Open dates