Tender Advertisement #1344860

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Open Tender)

SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY FOR COLLECTION, TRANSPOSITION, FORMATTING AND PROFILING OF TRADE DATA OF PACIFIC ACP STATES

Background

The PACP region accounts for almost eighteen percent of the entire ACP membership (15/79 ACP member states) with most PACP States comprising Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries that are vulnerable to existing cycles of natural disasters which have been exacerbated by climate change. Intra-PACP trade, and trade with the broader ACP-EU group are constrained by PACPS’ small domestic markets, geographical isolation from key markets, and high connectivity barriers creating further impediments to trade.
This is further impacted by the COVID-19 disruptions to supply chains and global trade, and border closures. The regional Comprehensive EPA provided the PACPS an opportunity to pursue a legally binding Agreement that would form the basis of ongoing development relations between Pacific ACP States (PACPS) and the European Union, going forward.
PACP States have been negotiating the Comprehensive EPA with the EU since 2004. In 2007, following the expiration of the WTO Waiver to non-reciprocal trading relations between the EU and the ACP, and to safeguard their trade with the EU, Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed onto the interim EPA (iEPA).
In the Pacific Regional Integration Support Programme (PRISE) of the 11th European Development Fund (11th EDF), component 1.3 on Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT) is being implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) as the Pillar Assessed Entity (PAE).
The Specific Objective of SPIRIT is to strengthen Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade, and this will be achieved through a coherent, multi-track engagement process at the national, sub-regional and regional levels.

Purpose
The purpose of this contract is to enhance trade and economic policymaking and implementation of trade agreements, including the interim Economic Partnership Agreement between Pacific African, Caribbean, and Pacific (PACP) states with the European Union, through collecting and formatting trade data to international data reporting standards.

Scope of Work
The Consultant will deliver the following:
• Key Result Area 1 (KRA1): Engage in an inception meeting with the PIFS-SPIRIT Team Leader, SPIRIT Trade Advisers, SPIRIT Database Officer, NSOs, Trade, and Customs representatives to discuss objectives, activities, expected outputs, timelines, and any issues related to the execution of the project that requires clarification.
• Key Result Area 2 (KRA2): Prepare and submit an Inception Report based on the clarifications provided at the meeting, including a detailed Action Plan with specific timelines for completing the consultancy.
• Key Result Area 3 (KRA3): Prepare questionnaires and other analytical tools for the desktop or literature review and national consultations with identified key stakeholders.
• Key Result Area 4 (KRA4): Conduct virtual consultations and face-to-face consultative meetings with stakeholders per the agreed Action Plan.
• Key Result Area 5 (KRA5): Conduct and complete national assessments, review, and transposition work as prescribed in the Scope of Work under 4.1.1 and reaffirmed in the Inception Report in 4.2 (i).
• Key Result Area 6 (KRA6): Assess the state of implementation of PACHS 2017 and PACHS 2022, challenges faced and measures to be taken to expedite implementation of new HS editions when they are introduced.
• Key Result Area 7 (KRA7): Facilitate regional workshop to be conducted face-to-face in Nadi.
• Key Result Area 8 (KRA8): Submit the first draft of Key Activity 5, and the draft Report for Key Activity 6 to PIFS for review and comments from internal stakeholders; and
• Key Result Area 9 (KRA9): Submit a revised draft of Key Activity (7) to PIFS for endorsement as the final draft.
Academic Qualifications
The Consultant must possess knowledge of the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Customs Organisation (WCO), and Pacific intra-regional and international trade dynamics and should possess the following qualifications and experience:
(i) A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
(ii) A minimum of 10 years relevant work experience is required; 15 years relevant work experience in HS transposition is preferred.
(iii) Knowledge or experience working with ASYCUDA statistics.
(iv) Strong communications, analytical, writing, and interpersonal skills; excellent report writing abilities required.
(v) Ability to work as a part of a team.
(vi) Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.


HOW TO APPLY

Submissions should be entitled:
[OPEN TENDER] – [SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY FOR COLLECTION, TRANSPOSITION, FORMATTING AND PROFILING OF TRADE DATA OF PACIFIC ACP STATES]
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 - T.5.23 - Response Template.
The electronically submitted documents should be converted to the PDF format.
Deadline for Submissions:
Submissions need to reach the Secretariat by 4.00 pm, Friday 24th February 2023.
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” 4pm, 23rd February 2023. 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.