BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SPECIALIST
World Bank Timor-Leste
Location: Dili, Timor-Leste
Duration: 14 days (approximately 7 in country, 7 by correspondence) – indicative, may be adjusted.
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 wants to recruit the services of a Business Environment Specialist with expertise in the fields of trade and competitiveness.
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The services of the consultant are required to (i) contribute to the DTIS chapter on Factor Inputs and the Business Environment and (ii) to contribute to the chapter on Trade Facilitation.
Activity I.Factor Inputs and the Business Environment
The consultant will contribute to this section that should help to prioritize business enabling environment issues specifically for the non-oil tradable sector and make recommendations on strengthening the public-private dialogue around these. The consultant will draw on the work done by the IFC to analyze the relative impact of the major business enabling environment issues on competitiveness in the non-oil tradable sector, particularly the extent to which they constrain exports.
The consultant will contribute to this section that should help to prioritize business enabling environment issues specifically for the non-oil tradable sector and make recommendations on strengthening the public-private dialogue around these. The consultant will draw on the work done by the IFC to analyze the relative impact of the major business enabling environment issues on competitiveness in the non-oil tradable sector, particularly the extent to which they constrain exports.
This overall chapter will be focused on four key issues that constrain Timor-Leste’s trade integration, namely Business Environment for Trade, Labor Market Challenges, Land Access, and Critical Infrastructure Services. The consultant will draft the section on Business Environment for Trade, but will coordinate with the authors of the other sections to ensure adequate prioritization.
Business environment and institutional framework for trade and investment: This section will look at the regulatory framework of the business environment and the extent to which it constrains trade in Timor-Leste. Specifically, this section will look at the following areas:
•Legal framework, judiciary system, banking system, taxation, investment procedures and
investment promotion;
•Extent of trade liberalization expressed in General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
terminology;
•Roadmap on options and modalities to introduce reforms in the regulatory framework aiming at
creating a competitive environment.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 5-10 pages and will provide a comprehensive picture of business environment issues in Timor-Leste.
Activity II. Trade Facilitation
This section will look at the critical trade facilitation infrastructure, services and the policies that constrain Timor-Leste’s competitiveness in the export sector. The consultant will be responsible for drafting the sub-chapter on Trade Finance which will be incorporated by another team member into a coherent final chapter. Specifically, this sub-chapter will look at the following issues:
•Access to financial services in Timor-Leste in various market segments;
•Profile of lenders and potential lenders to Timor-Leste and constraining factors to portfolio
expansion; and
•Capacity of the local market to access financial services for export products.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 3-5 pages and will provide a comprehensive picture of trade finance issues in Timor-Leste.
For both activities, 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:
•Contribution to DTIS chapter on Factor Inputs and the Business Environment.
•Contribution to the DTIS chapter on Trade Facilitation.
•Input into DTIS action matrix.
•Presentation of findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders at the end of the main 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 (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
Business environment and institutional framework for trade and investment: This section will look at the regulatory framework of the business environment and the extent to which it constrains trade in Timor-Leste. Specifically, this section will look at the following areas:
•Legal framework, judiciary system, banking system, taxation, investment procedures and
investment promotion;
•Extent of trade liberalization expressed in General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
terminology;
•Roadmap on options and modalities to introduce reforms in the regulatory framework aiming at
creating a competitive environment.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 5-10 pages and will provide a comprehensive picture of business environment issues in Timor-Leste.
Activity II. Trade Facilitation
This section will look at the critical trade facilitation infrastructure, services and the policies that constrain Timor-Leste’s competitiveness in the export sector. The consultant will be responsible for drafting the sub-chapter on Trade Finance which will be incorporated by another team member into a coherent final chapter. Specifically, this sub-chapter will look at the following issues:
•Access to financial services in Timor-Leste in various market segments;
•Profile of lenders and potential lenders to Timor-Leste and constraining factors to portfolio
expansion; and
•Capacity of the local market to access financial services for export products.
It is anticipated that the final product will be on the order of 3-5 pages and will provide a comprehensive picture of trade finance issues in Timor-Leste.
For both activities, 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:
•Contribution to DTIS chapter on Factor Inputs and the Business Environment.
•Contribution to the DTIS chapter on Trade Facilitation.
•Input into DTIS action matrix.
•Presentation of findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders at the end of the main 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 (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 a relevant field.
•Extensive experience conducting reviews of business environments in comparable countries (prior experience in Timor-Leste least-developed countries would be highly valued).
•Strong English writing and editorial skills.
•An advanced university degree in a relevant field.
•Extensive experience conducting reviews of business environments in comparable countries (prior experience in Timor-Leste least-developed countries would be highly valued).
•Strong English writing and editorial skills.
VII. MANAGEMENT
The consultant will be allocated 14 days to complete the work, approximately 7 of which will be spent in country on the Main Mission, and the remaining 7 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
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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