AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY TRADE SPECIALIST
World Bank Timor-Leste
Location: Dili, Timor-Leste
Duration: 30 days (approximately 21 in country, 9 by correspondence)
Recruitment: International
I. BACKGROUND:
Timor-Leste is a beneficiary of the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries (IF). The IF is a multi-agency, multi-donor program established in 1996 to promote the integration of the developed countries (LDCs) into the global economy . The work program starts with the preparation of a Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) which analyzes both the internal and external constraints facing the country in increasing its integration into the global economy. The DTIS provides the analytical support for an action plan that identifies priority policy measures, investments, and technical assistance needs.
The Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) has requested assistance from the World Bank to carry out their DTIS. To do this, the World Bank requires the services of an Agricultural Commodity Trade Specialist with expertise in value-chain analysis and processing, value-addition and export of agricultural commodities.
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The services of the consultant are required to complete the DTIS section on Sector Analysis. This section will cover a short analysis of the agricultural sector and its importance in the domestic economy; Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of selected agricultural products that have export potential; and Standards.
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The services of the consultant are required to complete the DTIS section on Sector Analysis. This section will cover a short analysis of the agricultural sector and its importance in the domestic economy; Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of selected agricultural products that have export potential; and Standards.
Value Chain Analysis: This section will analyze challenges to diversifying and expanding exports in the agricultural sector, in view of its export potential and the likely positive impact on growth, employment generation, and poverty reduction. The consultant will review the supply chains and assess factors that impact on competitiveness and trading capacity in a number of key products that may include mung-beans, soy-beans, candle-nuts, coconuts and coffee. The aim of this set of value-chain analyses is to identify the key structural and policy-related bottlenecks to export competitiveness and determine the extent to which the success of coffee in Timor-Leste can be further strengthened and replicated with other products. The study will include the following:
• Review of trends of production, exports, employment levels and economy-wide linkages;
• Identification of major constraints to productivity growth and, thereby, to export competitiveness and export expansion;
• An effort should be made to demonstrate the extent of Timor-Leste’s comparative cost disadvantage by giving cross-country examples from comparable countries exporting these products. Assessment of scope for increased production and/or improvements in quality of product including a discussion of the potential markets for such goods;
• Discussion of the implications for poverty alleviation and employment generation of increased production through direct and indirect employment generation;
• Priority policy, legislative or institutional changes, capacity building measures and investments to address the critically binding sector constraints.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 15 pages and will provide a comprehensive analysis of the major agricultural commodity trade issues in Timor-Leste.
Standards: Complying with the product safety and quality standards of importing countries is important to expanding and diversifying exports. The DTIS will identify priority compliance requirements to promoting Timor-Leste’s exports. Specifically, the report will deal with the following areas:
• Priority products for which standards need to be met;
• Policies, infrastructure and training needed to promote higher standards throughout the production chain; and
• Specific export destination requirements.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 5-10 pages and will provide a comprehensive assessment of standards issues in Timor-Leste.
In addition, the consultant will provide input into the DTIS consolidated action matrix detailing the following:
• Existing programs in the thematic area (development partner, government or otherwise).
• High priority reform areas and potential investments or projects that could be undertaken in the thematic area to improve Timor-Leste’s competitiveness.
• Review of trends of production, exports, employment levels and economy-wide linkages;
• Identification of major constraints to productivity growth and, thereby, to export competitiveness and export expansion;
• An effort should be made to demonstrate the extent of Timor-Leste’s comparative cost disadvantage by giving cross-country examples from comparable countries exporting these products. Assessment of scope for increased production and/or improvements in quality of product including a discussion of the potential markets for such goods;
• Discussion of the implications for poverty alleviation and employment generation of increased production through direct and indirect employment generation;
• Priority policy, legislative or institutional changes, capacity building measures and investments to address the critically binding sector constraints.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 15 pages and will provide a comprehensive analysis of the major agricultural commodity trade issues in Timor-Leste.
Standards: Complying with the product safety and quality standards of importing countries is important to expanding and diversifying exports. The DTIS will identify priority compliance requirements to promoting Timor-Leste’s exports. Specifically, the report will deal with the following areas:
• Priority products for which standards need to be met;
• Policies, infrastructure and training needed to promote higher standards throughout the production chain; and
• Specific export destination requirements.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 5-10 pages and will provide a comprehensive assessment of standards issues in Timor-Leste.
In addition, the consultant will provide input into the DTIS consolidated action matrix detailing the following:
• Existing programs in the thematic area (development partner, government or otherwise).
• High priority reform areas and potential investments or projects that could be undertaken in the thematic area to improve Timor-Leste’s competitiveness.
III. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
Specific outputs include:
• DTIS chapter on Sector Analysis.
• Input into DTIS action matrix.
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders at the end of the mission.
First drafts of written outputs will be expected by the end of the main mission.
• Input into DTIS action matrix.
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders at the end of the mission.
First drafts of written outputs will be expected by the end of the main mission.
IV. METHODOLOGY:
The consultant will:
• Employ a combination of data analysis, interviews, and direct observation;
• Ensure that the views of private sector users (producers, traders, industry associations, sector ministries, relevant service providers, importers, exporters, investors) are fully taken into account;
• Review existing information available through various relevant studies and reports;
• Ensure all findings and recommendations take into account existing and/or programmed initiatives;
• Work closely with other members of the DTIS team to ensure that the analysis and recommendations are aligned with the overall report.
• Ensure that the views of private sector users (producers, traders, industry associations, sector ministries, relevant service providers, importers, exporters, investors) are fully taken into account;
• Review existing information available through various relevant studies and reports;
• Ensure all findings and recommendations take into account existing and/or programmed initiatives;
• Work closely with other members of the DTIS team to ensure that the analysis and recommendations are aligned with the overall report.
V. TIMEFRAME
The main mission is targeted for October/November 2009 and work should be completed within 3 weeks of the end of the main mission.
VI. QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will possess all of the following characteristics:
• An advanced university degree in agricultural economics or other related field.
• Extensive experience conducting agricultural sector analysis in comparable countries (prior experience in Timor-Leste or other small island countries would be highly valued).
• Strong English writing and editorial skills.
VII. MANAGEMENT
• An advanced university degree in agricultural economics or other related field.
• Extensive experience conducting agricultural sector analysis in comparable countries (prior experience in Timor-Leste or other small island countries would be highly valued).
• Strong English writing and editorial skills.
VII. MANAGEMENT
The consultant will be allocated 30 days to complete the work, approximately 21 of which will be spent in country on the Main Mission, and the remaining 9 of which will be spent completing final edits on the write-up.
The consultant will report to the Task Team Leader of the DTIS.
VIII. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The consultant will report to the Task Team Leader of the DTIS.
VIII. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Interested candidates are requested to submit a current CV and cover letter outlining relevant experience to John Holdaway (jholdaway@worldbank.org) and Guida Freitas (gfreitas@worldbank.org) by COB 23 September 2009. The assignment is expected to commence in October 2009.
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