Selection and Employment of Senior Transport Expert

Source: World Bank — Trade Logistics Project

TERMS OF REFERENCE

For

Senior Transport Specialist

Ethiopian Maritime Affairs Authority (EMAA)

1. Back ground

Ethiopia’s competitiveness in global markets is constrained by the high cost and unreliability of trade related logistics services. A range of indicators attest to the poor performance of the logistics sector in Ethiopia compared to other competitor countries. Ethiopia is ranked 126th out of 160 countries in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) of 2016,compared to 87 for Bangladesh, 64 for Vietnam, 42 for Kenya and 27 for China.

In order to address these constraints and bring forward the transformation of the logistics sector, the Government adopted the National Logistics Strategy in 2018 with an aim to assessing Ethiopia’s logistics needs and devising strategies to improve efficiency, promote private sector investment, and gradually liberalize the sector. Indeed, the Government has committed to phase-in competition broadening the range of logistics services that are available to serve modern manufacturing supply chains, including among others, distribution, packaging, warehousing services, transport management services, supply chain consulting services and inventory management, establishing Ethiopian National Logistics Council, (ENALCO) Logistics Transformation Office (LTO), etc.

Hence, the LTO is set up under Ethiopia Maritime Affairs Authority, for the specific purpose of expediting the National Logistics Strategy (NLS) implementation activities.

The LTO has the mission of transforming the country’s trade logistics sector through capacity building measures, coordinating activities of various actors, enhancement of trade facilitation and transit systems, as well as improvement of trade financing schemes and regulatory frameworks.

The LTO provides the following capabilities and benefits to Ethiopia’s logistics sector cargo owners, LSP’s, regulators and others

• Proper and timely design and implementation of strategies, bridging the logistics sectors, handling problems that require special attention by taking it to the attention of the ENALCO.
•  Building shared values among stakeholders and strengthening buy-in for the timely successful completion of the project.
•  Create integration among multiple sectors and departments across the new strategies and blueprints of the new logistics regime.
•  Serves as center of logistics information archive and reference for the progresses and deliverables of performances by the sector.
•  Develop a monitoring system (reporting line and accountability mechanism) with benchmarks and monitoring indicators to follow progress and assess the impact of logistics reform in the sector and the public.
•  Develop project proposals to provide the council with the ability to attract and secure funding from various donor agencies and other financing partners.

Therefore, EMAA is interested to hire well experienced and qualified applicant for the Position of Senior Transport Specialist with in the World Bank financing for the Ethiopia Trade logistics project (ETLP-P156590).

1. Objective of the Assignment

EMAA would like to strengthen its internal technical capacity for the realization of the NLS and transformation of logistics sector through engaging the expertise services of qualified and well-experienced Senior Transport Specialist

1. Duties and Responsibilities/ Scope of the work

The custom specialist translates custom related interventions of the NLS to programs and projects, schedule programs for implementation as well as carry out follow up, monitor and report status and accomplishments. The Expert provides review, analysis and reports on the findings on the deliverables submitted by Consultants and on matters related to customs regulation and operation in trade facilitation at large to ascertain that methodologies, approaches, data and information, etc, applied are adequate to produce valid and reliable decision basis based on best practices.

Summary of Key functions

Key duties and responsibilities of the senior customs specialist include, but not limited to:

• Translate NLS interventions into programs and projects based on their implementation features.
• Prepare detail work plan for the activities identified in the program or project with timeframe and budget;
• Participate in the design and development of customs and trade facilitation solutions and ascertains results meet best industry standards;
• Assess and design solutions for border customs operations 
• Propose solutions for customs-related activities aimed at reducing the time and cost of cargoes crossing borders
• Undertake activities for simplifying and modernizing customs processes and procedures along transit corridors
• Deal with customs related issues with respect to the National and Regional Single Window program
• Analyze and interpret current customs regulations and procedures and propose/ work for simplified custom regulations and procedures
• Perform  gap analysis on International Trade issues with transit states  
• Track performance of customs service providers and compliance programs through KPI's and identify defects, develop solutions and coordinate improvement implementation.
• Provide technical assistance in interpretation of custom related laws/regulations, tariff codes and other issues
• Integrate and provide support to supply chain to ensure least cost and time for the global competitiveness
• Examine foreign trade regulations import/export laws
• Review reports within NLS and EMAA scope at key stages and provide feedback for further action;
• Ensure that activities status, issues and successes of the project activities are communicated to all teams, stakeholders, sponsors, national council, and all levels of management and documented appropriately;
• Develop TORs for customs and trade facilitation tasks to be carried out for consulting firms as required.
• Establish integrated chain/network with the agencies and other stakeholders who are responsible for undertaking the implementation or facilitation/support of the respective programs, systems, operations and workings processes;
• Organize/coordinate training schemes/modules/venues in various areas of customs and boarder management/trade facilitation for stakeholders/ employees/business community;
• Identify areas of interest on the different segments of the customs services within the scope of the NLS to carryout thorough analysis to support the efforts in the transformation of the logistics sector.
• Review research works, studies and reports to ascertain that methodologies, approaches, data, etc, applied are adequate to produce valid and reliable decision basis.
• Carry out base line surveys for key performance indicators of the Ethiopia’s customs performance
• Keep proper and complete documentation of all activities in its scope as needed.
• Assist EMAA in the preparations of any new plans or activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the coordinator.

4. Deliverables

The Senior Custom Specialist shall submit to EMAA

• Programs/interventions document developed, action plans, reports/master plans/research/project findings, proposals, customs performance reports and trade facilitation studies, etc as required.

• Progress report on a monthly basis on the above activities under the NLS to keep track of the activities during the entire implementation phase. Such progress reports shall be submitted not later than five calendar days following the reporting month.

• Review reports as required to the acceptable standard and quality.
• Submit a report on key learning’s and lessons learned and the way forward.

5. Reporting Line/Communication

In close consultation with the Director, the Senior Customs Specialist shall work cross-functionally keeping regular contact and maintain a close working relationship with EMAA staff and key stakeholders of NLS to solve problems and facilitate programs implementation.

6. Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience
 

The desired Senior Trade Facilitation Specialist shall have:

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor/Masters or PhD Degree from reputable and recognized university preferably in Tax and custom Administration, Customs Administration, Tax Administration, Accounting, Economics, Public finance and Asset management, or related fields.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of custom procedures and regulations, theories, concepts, port and terminal operation & management, trade facilitation and inter-disciplinary development issues.
• Excellent knowledge of customs operations and logistics sector in Ethiopia.
• Proven ability to work effectively both independently and in a team based environment;
• Proven networking & team-building skills to work with people from diverse background.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skill combined with a flexible and adaptable attitude of good teamwork.
• Fluency in both Amharic and English language including verbal and written;
• Excellent report and correspondence writing and presentation skills;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including MS project skills is required;

General Professional Experience

The Senior Customs specialist shall have:

• At least 12/10/8 years relevant work/practical experience for Bachelor and Masters and PhD respectively;
• Experience in custom and trade facilitation projects financed by World Bank is a plus;
• Experience in planning, developing, consulting and advising projects with regard to customs operation;
• Experience in trade facilitation operation;
• Excellent research and teaching/training experience in the area of customs and supply chain management.
• Able to identify, analyze and solve problems.

     Personal Characteristics:          

• Self-motivated, assertive,
• multi-tasking
• Positive team spirit and puts success of team above own interests
• Innovative and forward looking.
• Committed.
• Highly integrated and result oriented.
• Great work capacity.
• Able to work under stressful conditions in efficient and professional manner.
• Punctual.

1. Duration of the Assignment

The successful applicant shall be engaged immediately on a full time basis for one year (in three months contract basis extendable depending on the satisfactory performance in the contract duration) and for additional years during the NLS implementation period.

1. Responsibility of the Employer

EMAA will provide office, furniture, office equipment, stationery, and other materials as required by the Expert to perform his/her duties as specified in this TOR.

1. Place of Work

The Senior Customs specialist will be stationed in EMAA (Addis Ababa) with travel to project site as required.

1. Remuneration and Mode of Payment

Salary is negotiable, depending on experience, skill and salary history of the candidate.