Tender Advertisement #1191411

REQUEST FOR TENDER (Open tender based on defined and specific statement of requirements)

Comprehensive Review of Pacific Regional Trade Arrangements

Background

1. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic’s impact on global and regional trade on the Pacific has seen unprecedented jobs and income losses, closure of businesses, and an overall fall in economic activities. All of this has led to the downgrading of economic growth projections across the Pacific region for 2020 to -4.3% . The key challenge for many FICs is the uncertainty with respect to the duration of the economic closures due to the containment measures imposed as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. In recognition of these changing dynamics, and circumstances including the unpredictable environment and climate change crisis in the region, it is timely for policy-makers and trade experts to evaluate and strategise on policies and mechanisms that can support the inclusive economic recovery through results-based initiatives that could further enhance regional cooperation.

2. There is deep interest in understanding the impact of these trade agreements, and new developments, both on the part of policy makers in countries that are party to the negotiations and in countries that are excluded, but which will nonetheless be affected by the new standards and rules adopted by their trading partners and competitors. This comprehensive review is in line with relevant decisions of Forum Trade Ministers at the 2020 meeting in Suva, Fiji on 13 February. It reflects on leaders' vision for the pacific , a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.

Purpose

3. The common challenges that hinder intra-regional trade and international trade per se
are widely known and documented, yet the analytical impact of these political regional trade treaties on socio-economic development in the region, including on youth, women, employment, investment, is still somewhat lacking. Assessments of the implementation of the regional trade agreements, notwithstanding the liberalisation of tariffs on goods, liberalisation of services, the influence and impact on financial and taxation structures, needs to be undertaken to provide policy makers with the relevant information required to carve out targeted complementary trade, investment and private sector development policies that are able to contribute and address the existing gaps.

Scope of Work

4. To undertake a comprehensive review of Members commitments under the various
trade-related agreements they are parties to, and modernising the PICTA, this will also entail assessing trade trends with the regions other major trading partners, that could be considered for any future regional trade cooperation. The review is expected to articulate areas for improvement, and develop a comprehensive, coordinated, and cohesive regional strategy development framework with a clear vision for expanding trade and investment in the region and and as per specifications set out under the Terms of Reference (TOR) document which can be downloaded from www.tenders.net/forumsec.

Academic Qualifications

5. Qualifications

 Essential – Postgraduate degree or Equivalent in trade/commercial law, economics or similar
 Desirable – Postgraduate or professional qualifications relating to international and regional trade and trade law, social and political development

6. Relevant experience

Essential

 At least 10 years of demonstrated relevant experience in the Pacific region, including experience in analytical assessment of trade agreements and policies
 Experience must demonstrate how you have undertaken an independent analysis of a similar nature to this comprehensive review
 Indicate how your work or past experience has added value to a Report of this similar nature

Desirable

 sound knowledge of the Pacific region and its context in relation to trade agreements, trade policy as well as sound knowledge of regional priorities
 sound capacity to acquire an understanding of related developing regional initiatives such as the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent
 regional or international experience relating to trade agreements that can be adapted to fit the regional legal, institutional and socio-economic context of the Pacific region

7. Competencies

Essential

 Excellent analytical skills and abilities, including expressing difficult concepts in a clear and concise manner
 Innovative thinker
 Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels
 Excellent interpersonal skills, including an understanding and appreciation of the cultural context and challenges of the Pacific region

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions should be entitled:

OPEN TENDER-SINGLE STAGE] – COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PACIFIC REGIONAL TRADE ARRANGEMENTS

Method of Submissions:

Submissions must be forwarded in PDF format following the instructions at www.tenders.net/forumsec

Note: Tenders must be submitted with clear labelling of the technical offer and the financial offer. The Technical Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “A. Technical Offer”. Financial Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “B. Financial Offer”.

The electronically submitted documents should be converted to the PDF format.

Deadline for Submissions:

Submissions need to reach the Secretariat by [5:00pm, Wednesday 7 April 2021].

Late or incomplete tenders will not be considered.

Questions and Answers

All queries or request for information must be submitted via the Question and Answer Forum at www.tenders.net/forumsec . Tenderers may submit questions in writing to the mentioned Question and Answer Forum before the stated “deadline for requesting clarifications” Tuesday 30 March 2021. The Secretariat has no obligation to provide clarification after this date.

Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of the Bid documents due to any reason whatsoever.

Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award. Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.

In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the tender for consultancy, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.