Closing date: 22 Feb 2017
Background
Trade in East Africa accounts for less than 1% of world trade.
The region, bringing together 5 countries, is characterized by small and disconnected markets, high transport costs, inefficient trade facilitation systems, fragmented markets for services, and low purchasing power when compared to several African peers.
As a means to build economies of scale, increase competitiveness, and bring the region closer to becoming a major trade and investment hub, the East African Community (EAC) negotiated and agreed on a Customs Union in 2005, and a Common Market in 2010. Implementation of the common market is however slow, especially at country level where aligning domestic laws, policies and development strategies to the requirements of the protocol remains a big challenge. Several bottlenecks persist in the implementation of the EAC Common Market across its foundational areas of implementation namely goods, services and capital.
Full implementation of the Common Market is an important but challenging task. It calls for strong implementation by all parties, particularly the Partner States, so as to deliver the rights and freedoms enshrined in the EAC Common Market Protocol. This requires a robust implementation cycle: from planning, implementation and monitoring for results.
Cognizant of this, the EAC Partners States have in the last few years invested more attention to improve the implementation of the protocol, including setting up several implementation structures at the national level. This represents an important step towards implementation of the protocol – several opportunities now exist for identifying measures that are inconsistent to the protocol and which parties are responsible for them. This has also created a regular consultation framework to track whether the required reform actions are being undertaken.
There are however several implementation gaps that one finds at the implementation level, one of which is that the private sector, consumers and civil society and other actors with interest in the implementation process of the EAC Common Market Protocol need to engage more strongly in implementing the protocol. This includes the need for effective participation in the rule-making process, feedback on how the measures they face affect their businesses and consumer choices, and an opportunity to propose which policy actions they believe are best suited to expanding trade and investment across the bloc.
EATIH is therefore seeking to recruit highly qualified Trade in Services Expert with demonstrated experience in the East African Community region to lead the Hub’s technical support to the East African Community in implementing commitments to liberalize services trade.
Objectives of the Assignment
By undertaking this assignment, the Trade in Services expert should contribute to significantly accelerating the pace of reforms in services trade for the period of implementation (2017-18). The expert will be responsible for structuring and leading technical assistance to Hub clients, overseeing Hub support to the region’s private sector in respect to liberalization of services trade, and assuring the quality of regular hub reports on services trade in the EAC.
Trade in Services Expert
The Trade in Services Expert will work with both public and private sector stakeholders, EATIH grantees and sub-contractors to accelerate the pace of reforms that support implementation of EAC Partner State commitments to the freedom of movement of services, particularly in relation to implementation of Annex V, EAC Common Market Protocol and the Schedule of Commitments.
Tasks
Identify, develop and implement opportunities for technical assistance to support implementation of EAC Partner State commitments to the freedom of movement of services.
Where required, participate in and offer technical advice as required to movement of services implementation organs of the CMP and other relevant stakeholders and make recommendations on appropriate reforms
Working closely with EATIH grantees and sub-contractors, oversee the development, implementation and feedback process for all EATIH training for stakeholders on movement of services requirements under the CMP.
In close collaboration with EATIH grantees and sub-contractors, develop and oversee implementation of regular updates on the progress of implementation of the schedule on liberalization of services.
Review and provide quality assurance for EATIH-commissioned products on movement of services.
In partnership with Hub staff, clients and internal Hub communications teams, contribute to development of communications collaterals to support awareness of and advocacy for implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol.
In close collaboration with the EATIH monitoring and evaluation team, develop, monitor and document periodic data on selected performance indicators to support EATIH project monitoring and reporting. These will be converted into research pieces.
Any other reasonable task as designated by the EATIH Senior Economist.
Estimated Period of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to be conducted over a period of 12 months with a maximum level of effort of 150 days.
Required Profile of Trade in Services Expert
10 years of demonstrable experience working on development and implementation of trade, investment, regional integration projects or any other similar professional experience.
Demonstrable grasp of the EAC integration process, particularly in relation to services trade.
Proven ability in identifying technical assistance opportunities, and working with private and public sector stakeholders to develop and implement a successful pipeline of reform activities.
Prior demonstrated ability to author reform publications in trade, investment, regional integration or economic development.
A Bachelor-level degree in economics, law or any other equivalent certification. A Masters degree will be an advantage.
Understanding and prior experience working in support of the East African Community or any other regional economic community.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Place of Performance
The place of performance under this contract is the East Africa Community Partner States; Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Reporting
The Trade in Services Expert will report to the EATIH Coordinator, Common Market Implementation.
How to apply:
Interested and qualified applicants should submit their applications in PDF (preferred) or other electronic formats on February 22, 2017 to partnershipfundTIH@eatradehub.org.
Further details on the task requirements and specific details are available on our website: http://www.eatradehub.org/dai_opportunities.
Women consultants are strongly encouraged to apply.