SHORT-TERM TECHNICAL EXPERT ON NTBS, SPS AND STANDARDS

Summary of the assignment:

Nature of assignment	Short term
Location	EABC Secretariat, Arusha
Timeframe	6 Months Renewable based on Performance
Reporting	To Executive Director/CEO-East African Business Council
Activity reports	Monthly reporting

     I.        BACKGROUND TO THE TMEA PROJECT

The TMEA project , “Public‐Private Sector Dialogue (PPD) for Trade and Investment ‐ Regional and Country Programmes” mainstreams advocacy throughout TMEA’s project clusters – i.e. in transport and logistics, trade facilitation, customs & tax, standards and NTBs. The new approach presented and approved by the TMEA’s Board will foster closer collaboration across project teams and will contribute to results across all intermediate outcomes. The programme’s core objective is to enhance private sector organisations’ (PSO) capacity to proactively and positively influence decision‐making, to accelerate dispute resolution, to sustain political buy‐in, to increase commitment and to reduce overall programme risks in TMEA’s project clusters. This will increase trade and investment in the EAC. The Regional and Country Programmes will  contribute to core TMEA corporate results outlined below:

1. Reduce transport (road, rail, and air) cost and time along transport corridors by 10% and increase efficiency in private sector logistics services provision
2. Enhance  Customs  and  other  trade‐related  agencies  efficiency  (25%  reduction  in  time to  process  trade documentation) through integrated trade management systems and greater inter‐agency collaboration.
3. Reduced tariffs, taxes, and levies by 5‐8% overall (including sub‐national) reduce exemption regimes, CET, and increase import/export tax incentives
4. Enhanced efficiency of Bureaux of Standards, reduce related costs and time by 10%, reduce counterfeit and sub-standard goods by 20% through enhanced inter‐agency collaboration and improve private sector compliance.
5. Resolve 30% of all reported NTBs along TMEA project clusters within a year.
6. Catalysing a 10% increase in exports annually, 93,000 direct jobs and $425m additional investment after seven years in targeted sectors in the EAC under the Compact and TLCs through increased investment incentives.

ABOUT EAST AFRICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

The East African Business Council (EABC) is the umbrella body of the Private Sector in the East African Community (EAC). It brings together national private sector umbrella bodies, manufacturers, employers, bankers, insurance and transporters associations, chambers of commerce, corporates, and medium and small enterprises from the entire East African region.

EABC’s mandate is to represent and promote the interests of the EAC business community, provide value-added services that enhance trade and competitiveness, and to participate actively and positively influence legal and regulatory formulation to improve the business environment. EABC works with the majorstakeholders such as the EAC Secretariat, Organs, Institutions and National Governments and provides input in policy discussion while advocating for implementation of resolutions at the national level aimed at increasing intra-regional trade. EABC is in the process of setting up sector specific desks to ensure all sector issues are addressed at the regional level.

For effective implementation of the Regional PPD programme, EABC was selected by TradeMark East Africa as the lead implementing partner for the Private Sector Organizations.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

As part of this programming, EABC’s seeks to fast-track policy change in the EAC Integration process, monitor key challenges in the East African policy environment and develop private sector policy positions and facilitate evidence-basedadvocacy that is beneficial to the competitiveness of the business community in East Africa.

To realise the outcomes of this project, EABC seeks to recruit a Technical Expert on NTBs, SPS and Standards for 6  months renewable upon availability of funds and performance. The technical expert is  to be based at the EABC Offices in Arusha, Tanzania with travels within and outside the region and to provide core programmatic support, enhance programme implementation and delivery of results. 

1. To develop position papers from studies and research based on issues raised during NTBs, Standards and SPS, public-private dialogues and consultations.
2. Facilitate Workshops and stakeholder meetings for the purpose of policy awareness, legitimation/validation.
3. Plan, organise various and participate in Public-Private Dialogues and advocate for favourable policies for the EAC Business community. This will include the development of necessary advocacy material such as policy briefs, position papers and other documentation.
4. Work with the Executive Director, EAC organs, national and regional membership-based organisations to ensure implementation of policies to realise  improved coordinated reporting and resolution of NTBs as well as improved harmonization and adoption of regional policies, standards and SPS issues  among the EAC Partner States.
5. To deepen engagement, coordination and collaboration with EABC Focal Points and other business associations and coalitions to strengthen policy positions and ensure inclusiveness, speed, quality of policy formulation and vigour of advocacy at regional and national levels.
6. Perform any other duties that may be as assigned by the management.

DELIVERABLES

The key deliverables include:

• 6 month work Plan with supporting budget
• Monthly narrative reports submitted within five days after end month detailing the overall programmatic work; as per standard TMEA’s reporting template. This should should be accompanied with all forms of evidence; official meeting reports, position papers, study reports etc.
• End of contract report detailing the overall programmatic work; activities and results as per TMEA’s reporting template.
• Training   Modules for policy and advocacy on standards, SPS and NTBs

SCOPE OF WORK

The Technical Expert will work in partnership with EABC and its Focal points in all the EAC Partner States. The main activities include;

Working with EABC Executive Director and programme staff, particularly those who are directly engaged in the implementation of projects to identify priority advocacy agenda items, collate Private sector views, commission surveys or research on issues, develop position papers and plan Public – Private Sector Dialogue meetings and follow up after that.

The Technical Expert will monitor implementation of activities at regional and national levels.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

A suitable candidate should hold the following qualifications and key competencies:

1. Academic and Professional Experience: A Masters degree from a recognized University  in Economics, International Trade, and or policy or any other relevant field is required.
2. Work Experience:  A minimum of five (5) years experience in policy dialogue, research or policy analysis. Experience in policy dialogue for Business Membership Organisations is a MUST; and knowledge of Private Sector and regional integration would be critical assets. Experience dealing with  standards issues, SPS and NTBs  at a regional level is necessary.
3. Policy Dialogue: Requisite skills to organise Public-Private Dialogue meetings and articulate Private Sector views and concerns. This must be complemented by robust analytical skills to prepare issues, policy briefs, and position papers.
4. Knowledge of the EAC Integration is a must
5. Communication and Networking: Ability to speak and write clearly and in a persuasive and compelling manner. Additionally, one must be able to identify key stakeholders; seek their views, correctly interpret their messages and respond appropriately.
6. Teamwork:Working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve project and organisational goals and ability to work in a multinational environment with diverse groups of stakeholders.
7. Languages:Fluency in oral and written English is required as it is the main EAC working language. Good working knowledge of French and Kiswahili will be an advantage.
8. Additional Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Email, analyticaltools/software for data analysis, experience in working with internet searches, online databases, and data retrieval) are required.

Nationality: The position is only open to nationals of any of the EAC Partner States, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo.

REMUNERATION AND MODE OF PAYMENT

Successful applicants will be paid consultancy fees as per EABC  rates for Experts payable at the end of each month.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit a Cover Letter,  Academic transcript Capability Statement in line with the Terms of Reference above, List of previous assignments and Curriculum Vitae stating their current position, remuneration, email, telephone contacts and three referees.

The applications should sent via email to procurement@eabc-online.com with ccadmin@eabc-online.com  by June 21^st 2022 5PM. Only applicants who meet the selection criteria and shortlisted will be contacted.

EABC is an equal opportunity employer thus recruitment is on merit and with no regard to one’s age, colour, gender, marital status, disability or impairment, race or creed. Canvassing shall lead to automatic disqualification.