Summary of Assignment:

Nature of assignment Short term
Location Will vary depending on the respondents
Timeframe 20 working days
Reporting To Executive Director/CEO
Date of Advertisement  19th April 2024

 

 Download Consultancy to conduct 2nd Barometer on East African Trade in Services

 

  1. BACKGROUND

The “Support to East African Integration Programme” (SEAMPEC) supports an East African Community (EAC) integration process. The Programme focuses on the needs of the private sector as well as on social aspects. It is steered by the EAC Secretariat and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

SEAMPEC works to improve framework conditions for economic growth in the EAC, e.g. by removing identified trade barriers or assisting the business sector in developing policy recommendations. Furthermore, the programme assists in capacity development in the EAC region for selected economic actors such as trade, implementation of regional and continental agreement.

The East African Business Council (EABC) is the apex advocacy body of Private Sector Associations and Corporates from the 8 East African Community (EAC) Partner States (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Somalia). It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the EAC integration process. EABC’s vision is borderless East Africa for business and investment with a primary mission of promoting sustainable private sector-driven growth. EABC has Observer Status at the EAC level which offers an authentic avenue for advocating for private sector interests in the EAC integration agenda with a view of promoting a conducive business environment in the region.

In order to enhance participation of the private sector in the EAC and AfCFTA integration processes, EABC is implementing EABC-GIZ Project titled: “Enhancing Effective Private Sector Participation in the EAC and AfCFTA Integration Processes”. The main objective of the project is to support the EAC private sector take advantage presented by the EAC and African (continental) integration processes. Under the EABC-GIZ Project, EABC seeks consultancy services to conduct the   Second Barometer on East African Trade in Services on selected services sectors of (Communications-Courier services, Postal services, Audio services; Distribution, Business-Architectural, Research & Development, Computer & related services, Management, Rental & Leasing, Veterinary, Quantity survey, Medical and Dental & Legal services; Transport– Road & Freight, Maritime transport services; and Education). Building on the first Barometer on East African Trade in Services conducted in 2022, the Barometer will also assess the implemented reforms at the national and regional levels in the sectors of ICT, Tourism and Engineering.

  1. OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the assignment is to develop the Second Barometer on East African Trade in Services on selected services sectors of Communications-Courier services, Postal services, Audio services; Distribution, Business-Architectural, Research & Development, Computer & related services, Management, Rental & Leasing, Veterinary, Quantity survey, Medical and Dental & Legal services; Transport– Road & Freight, Maritime transport services; and Education).

 

The specific objectives include:

  • Undertake a snapshot of the performance of trade in services in EAC including relevant indicators;
  • Update and summarize findings from regulatory audits that have been conducted, including the status and review of the removal of Trade in Services barriers and restrictions;
  • Collect, catalogue, and present graphically, information from the respective sectors and Partner States on key advancements, and progress demonstrated at the national and regional levels in Trade in services.
  • Assess the level of implementation and reforms at the national and regional levels in the sectors of ICT, Tourism and Engineering building on the first Barometer on East African Trade in Services. (Reforms may include regulatory frameworks, policies, strategies and action plans in the relevant sectors);
  • Conduct stakeholder interviews during key workshops, or over various platforms including virtual platforms, and populate and finalize a trade in services perception survey in the selected sectors.
  • Quantify the economic cost of trade in services barriers and restrictions in the selected sectors in the EAC region.
  • Provide analysis and comparison of the existing EAC Partner States’ Schedule of the Commitments on Trade in Services and Improved Partner States’ Schedule of the Commitments.
  • Carry out an analysis of EAC trade in services commitments under the AfCFTA for selected sectors.
  • Prepare a matrix of actionable policy recommendations and strategic measures the EAC Partner States should adopt to remove identified restrictive in trade in services.

 

  1. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND DUTIES

The 2nd Services Barometer will focus on service sectors and sub-sectors not covered in the 1st Barometer on East Africa Trade in Services conducted in 2022. The 2nd Services Barometer will focus on:  Communications-Courier services, Postal services, Audio services; Distribution, Business-Architectural, Research & Development, Computer & related services, Management, Rental & Leasing, Veterinary, Quantity survey, Medical and Dental & Legal services; Transport– Road & Freight, Maritime transport services; and Education.

Further the Second Barometer will assess the implemented reforms at the national and regional levels in the sectors of ICT, Tourism and Engineering, based on the first Barometer on East African Trade in Services conducted in 2022.

In order to achieve the desired objectives of the consultancy, the technical proposal should detail how the consultancy will be conducted. The technical proposal should also contain a work plan which explains how the assignment will be undertaken in line with the timeframe. Finally, the technical proposal will include a methodology that meets both the scope of work and deliverables described in the Terms of Reference (ToR).

The main tasks of the Consultant are but not limited to:

  1. Develop a methodology of conducting 2nd Barometer on East African Trade in Services on selected services sectors (Communications-Courier services, Postal services, Audio services; Distributions, Business-Architectural, Research & Development, Computer & related services, Management, Rental & Leasing, Veterinary, Quantity survey, Medical and Dental & Legal services; Transport- Road & Freight, Maritime transport services; and Education. In addition, the methodology of assessing the level of implementation and reforms at the national and regional levels in the sectors of ICT, Tourism and Engineering building on the first Barometer on East African Trade in Services.
  2. Collect and present data (quantitative and qualitative) on performance, trends, views and confidence of EAC Trade in Services,
  3. Review and summarize Non-Conforming Measures (NCMs) for the liberalised services in EAC;
  4. Analyze the current Partner States’ Schedule of the Commitments on Trade in Services and Revised Partner States’ Schedule of the Commitments;
  5. Develop EABC Policy briefs on the selected service sectors/sub sectors
  6. Present report of the Barometer on Trade in Services in EAC;
  7. Facilitate regional validation webinar on the 2nd Barometer on Trade in Services by presenting the draft report r to stakeholders.

 

  1. DELIVERABLES

The consultant, in line with the terms of reference, is expected to deliver the following:

  • Inception report which among other things will contain the detailed work plan for carrying out the scope of work, proposed methodology and research design survey instruments for the barometer.
  • Draft report of East African Trade in Services Barometer on selected services sectors (Communications-Courier services, Postal services, Audio services; Distributions, Business-Architectural, Research & Development, Computer & related services, Management, Rental & Leasing, Veterinary, Quantity survey, Medical and Dental & Legal services; Transport- Road & Freight, Maritime transport services; and Education). The Draft Report will also have an assessment of implementation and reforms at the national and regional levels in the sectors of ICT, Tourism and Engineering building on the first Barometer on East African Trade in Services
  • Final report that includes, final findings of East African Trade in Services Barometer and recommendations. The report will cover the Consultant’s final findings, after feedback from EABC & GIZ and other key stakeholders.
  • Policy brief containing a summary and relevant annexes of findings, facts and figures in East African Trade in Services Barometer on selected sectors: (Communications-Courier services, Postal services, Audio services; Distributions, Business-Architectural, Research & Development,, Computer & related services , Management, Rental & Leasing, Veterinary, Quantity survey, Medical and Dental & Legal services; Transport- Road & Freight, Maritime transport services; and Education) and key recommendations.
  • Consolidated contact list of interviewees.

 

  1. PLACEMENT AND TIMELINE OF ASSIGNMENT

The assignment will be mainly carried out physically and virtually. This will also include desk review and other forms of consultations.

The assignment will be for the duration of up to 2 months between May to June 2024 and will be for up to 20 Consultancy days. The professional fee attracts withholding tax at rate of 5% or 15% for resident and non-resident, respectively.

  1. REPORTING

Inception and final reports, including all final work and deliverables, are to be sent to the Executive Director of EABC Secretariat. Steering and coordination will be done together with the EABC & GIZ Team in charge of the assignment.

  1. QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES

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

 

  1. Academic qualifications: A Masters degree or postgraduate qualification in any of the following fields: Economics, Business Administration, law or any other relevant field is required.
  2. Work Experience: A minimum of ten (7) years’ demonstrable experience in conducting research /survey on business/trade-related field, an understanding of business & investment across EAC region
  3. Proven track-record in related assignments at the national or regional level
  4. Communication and Networking: Must be able to identify key stakeholders; seek their views, correctly interpret their messages and respond appropriately
  5. Knowledge of EAC Integration, international trade and EAC economies is a must
  6. 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.

 

  1. Experience working with organizations such as EABC, and other regional or international organizations.
  2. Good working experience in the EAC region.

 

  1. Additional Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), Email, analytical tools/software for data analysis, experience in working with internet searches, online databases, and data retrieval) are required.
  2. Nationality: The position is only open to Nationals of any of the EAC Partner States, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.

 

 

  1. EVALUATION CRITERIA

 

Technical Evaluation on; Maximum
A minimum of seven (07) years’ years’ demonstrable experience in conducting research /survey on business/trade-related field, an understanding of business & investment across EAC region with bias in trade in services 10
Knowledge of EAC Integration, international trade and demonstrated knowledge of the EAC integration, international trade, and EAC economies including trade in services 15
Proven track-related record: Experience in delivering similar assignments on trade in services at national and/or regional (preferably EAC) 20
Adequacy of the Proposed Methodology and work plan in responding to the TORs 20
Academic and other professional Qualifications: A Masters’s degree or postgraduate qualification in any of the following fields: Economics, Business Administration, law, or any other relevant field is required. 05
Total technical score

 

 70

 

 

  1. MODE OF PAYMENT
Time Amount to be paid
Upon submission of the inception report 20% of the total amount
Upon submission of the draft report 35% of the total amount
Upon approval of the final report and conducting regional Webinar 45% of the total amount

 

  1. THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applicants are required to send technical and financial proposals to procurement@eabc-online.com  cc admin@eabc-online.com clearly marked “Consultancy to Undertake 2ND East African Trade in Services Barometer”. The proposal should include the current curriculum vitae, proposed methodology, work plan and a financial proposal.  Applications close on 10th May 2024 at (5.00 p.m.).

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.

Environmental aspects will be taken into consideration.

END

Published On: April 22nd, 2024 / Categories: Tenders /

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