| Date Posted: | Aug 3, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Reference: | TAFA VA # 63 |
| Closing Date: | Aug 9, 2010 |
| Work Type: | Unspecified |
| Number of Vacancies: | 1 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Functional Area: | Economic Growth |
| Nationality: | Afghan |
| Salary Range: | As per NTA salary scale policyUSD |
| Years of Experience: | 10 Years |
| Contract Duration: | Not specified |
| Possibility of Contract Extension: | No |
| Contract Type: | Permanent |
| Probation Period: | 1 month |
| Required Languages: |
About Chemonics International Inc:
Trade and Accession Facilitation for Afghanistan (TAFA) USAID’s Trade and Accession Facilitation for Afghanistan (TAFA) project aims to generate economic growth, trade, and investment by improving the conditions for international and cross-border trade and transit. The project will help the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and the private sector to realize the advantages of greater regional and global trade linkages and export-oriented business development through assistance in three categories: 1) trade policy liberalization, 2) trade facilitation and customs reform, and 3) public outreach on trade-related issues. The project supports regional coordination with a program in Pakistan, and will seek to improve processes and reduce impediments in the following areas affecting Afghanistan’s trade and investment environment: • Development of GIRoA capacity to prepare for, negotiate and implement trade agreements for agriculture and non-agriculture sectors; • Improvement of GIRoA inter-ministerial coordination of trade and tariff policy, particularly with respect to implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA), and World Trade Organization (WTO) accession; and institutional arrangements at the border among Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Agriculture and other civilian ministries. • Reform of customs laws and procedures, revenue collection, information management, budget, organizational structure, and human resource policy, including training in new trade agreements, laws and other reform measures; • Reduction of time and expense of customs clearance, transport, transshipment, and other border crossing operations – for exports as well as imports; also lessening of corruption opportunities; • Collection and analysis of trade-related data to inform policy decisions; • Improvement of export market opportunities through development and adoption of international standards, quality control for export products, and linkages to export promotion assistance; • Support for trade facilitation zones, along with implementation of expected US Reconstruction Opportunity Zone (ROZ) trade preferences; • Expansion of business community knowledge of trade policies and trade-related opportunities, and involvement in trade policy development; • Improvement of Afghan public’s awareness of the benefits of a liberal trade regime. TAFA will result in the Afghan Government’s improved capacity to negotiate and implement regional and global trade agreements; increased transparency, and reduced obstacles to trade, including areas such as customs, transport/transit, and border crossing operations; increased transparency and Customs revenue collection returning to the Central Treasury; improved ranking on the World Bank’s trading across borders indicator as part of the annual Doing Business survey; greater export market opportunities through development and adoption of international product and safety standards and quality control for exports; increased volumes of trade in both agriculture and non-agriculture sectors; and increased understanding of and support for a liberal trade regime by the business community and the public. Afghan counterparts include: Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, other line ministries, Afghanistan National Standards Authority, Central Statistics Office, and Afghan business associations and exporters.
Job Summary:
Chemonics International is a Washington DC-based firm Chemonics International is a Washington DC-based firm seeking Industrial Park Senior Advisor candidates for the USAID-funded Trade and Accession Facilitation for Afghanistan (TAFA) project. The purpose of the project is to improve the trade environment for Afghanistan, thereby fostering increased investment, exports, and market-based employment opportunities. The project will help the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and the private sector to pursue and realize the advantages of greater regional and global trade linkages and economic integration through three components: 1) trade policy liberalization; 2) trade facilitation; 3) public outreach on trade related issues.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of TAFA Trade Facilitation Component Team Leader, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
1. Assist the Senior Expat Advisor for Industrial Parks in developing TAFA’s IP portfolio.
2. Provide technical assistance and capacity building for existing IPs, primarily those developed and managed by the Afghanistan Investment Services Agency, AISA.
3. Provide technical assistance and capacity building directly to AISA primarily in the form of IP development and implementation using international best practices.
4. Provide technical assistance and capacity building directly to the IP Associations including a.) advice on useful and viable services to IP members; b.) international marketing; c.) resolution of supply side constraints such as electricity; d.) IP expansion and; e.) lobbying the government for incentives.
5. For IPs being newly developed, liaise closely with the government, mainly AISA, on the design, tendering, contracting and monitoring of these IPs.
6. Assist the government in putting in place policies and practices for the development of new IPs and primarily those which fill a trade or export function, as against the current practice of import substitution.
7. Assist the government in developing an innovative and viable 5 Year Strategic Plan.
8. Carry out consultations with donors to assess their interest in the development and construction of new industrial parks including renovation, technical assistance in enterprise creation and the establishment of linkages with foreign firms.
9. Monitor all ongoing TAFA IP projects and provide regular written updates.
10. Place special emphasis on developing regional, non-Kabul based, IP programs.
11. Provide other assistance as required by the Component Team Lead and/or Senior Advisor for Industrial Parks
Deliverables:
• USAID Reports: weekly, biweekly, monthly and quarterly.
• Annual Work-Plan
• Quarterly Revised Work-Plan
• Monthly progress report measured against the work-plan
• Trip reports to regional Industrial Parks
• Technical reports on industrial parks as commissioned by the Component Lead and/or the Senior Expat Advisor for Industrial Parks.
• Reports on M and E and indicators
Job Requirement:
• A first class degree in economics or an MBA.
• A 5 year track record in working with industrial parks in developing countries.
• Strong entrepreneurial and deal making skills
• Experience in Afghanistan essential.
• Strong ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of government officials, international donors, and other key stakeholders
• Previous management experience including budgeting, preparation of work-plans, etc.
• Previous work experience with USAID projects beneficial
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong reporting skills in English, both written and oral.
• Innovation and the ability to adapt in difficult working circumstances
• Strong networking skills
• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• A team player