BACKGROUND TO THE EABC-AERC PROJECT

East African Business Council (EABC) in collaboration with The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) formed a Trade Technical group on “Strengthening trade data tracking and analysis; Rapid impact assessments; and Private-Public Sector consultation & Dialogue,” under the AERC Covid-19 pandemic response in East African Community project. This project aims to undertake a regional study on the impact of Covid-19 on Trade with a focus on manufacturing, tourism and agriculture in East Africa.

The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is one of the most active Research and Capacity Building Institutions (RCBIs) in Africa. Established in 1988, AERC is a public not-for-profit organization devoted to advanced economic policy research and training. AERC’s mission is to strengthen local capacity for independent, rigorous inquiry into problems pertinent to the management of African economies, through programmes that combine economic research with postgraduate training in economics and agricultural economics, supported by an interactive communications and policy outreach programme.

The projects aim to:

1. To increase uptake and use of evidence to plan, develop strategies, advocate and secure member states commitments to implement evidence-informed policies and response guidelines.
2. To minimize the societal and economic impact of COVID-19 by leveraging the Private Sector technical and resource capabilities for the COVID-19 emergency response in the EAC.
3. To minimize the societal and economic impact by building the regional inter-governmental institutions capacity.

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. The current membership number stands at 172.

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 major stakeholders such as the EAC Secretariat, Organs, Institutions and National Governments and provides input in policy discussion while advocating for the implementation of resolutions at the national level aimed at increasing intra-regional trade.

For effective implementation of the AERC Covid-19 pandemic response Project in East African Community Project, EABC was selected as the lead implementing partner of the Private Sector/Trade Component in the region.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

According to the East African Development Bank, the EAC grew by 5.9% in 2017, well above the global and Sub-Saharan (3.6%) averages. Given the region’s high economic growth, large population ( about 160 million) and land area (1.85 million km²) and proximity to the Red Sea Basin (through which over 10% of global trade is transported), the EAC has the potential to be a powerful industrial hub.

However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to EAC economies due to its strong links with the world economy in terms of trade, business and investment. Key subsectors in Light Manufacturing in the EAC include the manufacture of food products and beverages; apparel and the dressing and dyeing of fur; wood and wood products; luggage and the tanning and dressing of leather; and fabricated metal products. The competitiveness of EAC’s light manufacturing industry continues to be undermined by the costs of importing and exporting intermediate inputs of both goods and services. These challenges, exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted regional and global value chains, presents a hurdle for EAC’s industries, more so the MSME players.

EAC manufacturing with its current contribution of 9.7% to regional GDP with a projection of 25% by 2032 is one of the critical sectors that are being impacted by this pandemic in terms of sourcing of raw materials, intermediate & capital goods from countries that have been heavily hit by the outbreak of COVID-19.

On a positive note, reports indicate new developments that have emerged out of this crisis as some manufacturers have repurposed their production lines to produce the much-needed essential items such as face masks, sanitizers and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Given the impact of COVID-19 on the EAC manufacturing sector, EABC under the AERC Covid-19 pandemic response Project in East African Community is seeking a consultant to undertake a study titlted “Impact of Covid 19 on Light Manufacturing (Production/Processing, Distribution and Export) in the EAC.”

The study is expected to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Light Manufacturing in the EAC, generate policy options that the EAC Partner States should adopt to protect supply chains from COVID-19 disruptions, and the mitigation of future pandemics.

The consultant will work in partnership with EABC secretariat, its manufacturing sector associations Focal points and selected members in all the EAC Partner States.

The consultant will familiarize themselves with the EAC and EABC work on the manufacturing sector including all publications and relevant materials and review all reports on the EAC manufacturing sector.

The main duties of the consultant are, but not limited to;

DELIVERABLES

The key deliverables include

1. Inception report (Attach the tool to be used in data collection).
2. Draft report of the Impact of COVID-19 on Light Manufacturing (Production/Processing, Distribution and Export) in the EAC
3. Final report from the study.
4. A policy brief arising out of the study (see the attached format).
5. The consultant will generate audio/visual output (e.g., infographics on the report) that can be shared with the media and the general public.

N.B: The structure of the report is herewith attached for consideration and guidance.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

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

1. Academic and Professional Experience: A Masters degree in, Industrial Economics, Economics, Business Administration, International Trade or any other relevant field is required.
2. Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years’ demonstrable experience in conducting research /studies on manufacturing/regional trade-related issues. The consultant must have the capacity to carry out the study within the stated timeframe.
3. Demonstrable experience working with the manufacturing sector in the EAC.
4. Knowledge of EAC Integration is a must.
5. 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.
6. Additional Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Email, analytical tools/software for data analysis, experience in working with internet searches, online databases, and data retrieval) are required.
7. Nationality: The position is only open to Nationals of any of the EAC Partner States, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The technical and financial proposal must be submitted separately addressed to;
The Executive Director / CEO
East African Business Council (EABC) 
Ninth Floor, Mafao House, Old Moshi Road P. O. Box 2617 Arusha, Tanzania.
Email: director@eabc-online.com with a copy to procurement@eabc-online.com clearly marked “Consultancy to undertake an impact assessment study of the Impact of COVID-19 19 on Light Manufacturing (Production/Processing, Distribution and Export) in the EAC.”

The proposal should include among others; current curriculum vitae, proposed methodology, workplan, tool for data collection etc.
The financial proposal should be protected with a password.

Applications close on (10^th January 2021) 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.
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