Country: Grenada
Closing date: 19 Nov 2015
Fee: All-inclusive £35,000
The Commonwealth Secretariat is supporting the Government of Grenada (GoG) through the Ministry of Economic Development, Planning, Trade and Cooperatives (MEDPTC) to update its first National Export Strategy (NES). This process will entail realigning the strategic interventions specified under the previous strategy, as well as incorporating the services sector into the NES document and Action Plan. The updated NES will be implemented over a new 5 year period ending 2020. This intervention will consequently assist exporters or export-ready firms from strategic sectors to increase exports in regional and international markets.
Grenada is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with a population of approximately 108,500. It has an open economy, highly susceptible to both external economic shocks and natural disasters which periodically destroy critical infrastructure. Grenada is reliant on a small range of goods and services for export.
Scope of Work
The consultant is expected to provide leadership and technical inputs to facilitate the NES design process, including taking overall responsibility for draft final reports.
Stage 1: Diagnostics and Strategy Development
- Review the baseline data, situational analysis and criteria used to select the strategic export sectors under Phase I of the project. Utilise the Strategic Options Paper as an input for updating the Grenada NES.
- Noting the analysis already undertaken during Phase I of the project, determine services industries which are export ready. Conduct an export competitiveness environment assessment for services (product) capabilities, challenges and opportunities taking into account prevalent regional and global market dynamics.
- Assess the cross-cutting issues specified in the NES (2006 – 2011) document; update interventions according to relevance and critical impact of existing gaps in capacity.
- Identify any gender issues that should be taken into account to ensure equitable access to export opportunities. Build on the findings summarised in the Strategic Options Paper.
- Using appropriate criteria identify priority products and services, map linkages and identify strategic points where value may be maximised and export competitiveness increased.
- For the prioritised products and services, conduct a robust market assessment to identify key drivers of competitive advantage, target markets and main competitors.
- Update key objectives and targets for the priority areas over the strategy period.
- Define Strategic Action Plans for each priority sector and cross-cutting issue, to include measureable interventions baseline data, owner/implementing agency, resource requirements, expected timeline, risks, etc., to be implemented by 2020.
- Prepare and present draft NES and Action Plans at a national consultative symposium.
- Incorporate feedback from national consultation into the final NES and Action Plans
- Submit the final NES document and Action Plans
Stage 2: Implementation Plan
- Develop a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the strategy, including templates to be used by implementing agencies.
- Work with key implementing agencies to develop detailed action matrices to support implementation. Recommend to the MEDPTC how to integrate discrete activities into organisational work plans of the accountable implementing agencies.
- Develop an annualised implementation plan for the strategy period.
- Present the draft implementation plan to stakeholders.
- Submit the final Implementation Plan.
Key Deliverables / Outputs
- Inception Report following the first mission to Grenada, within 6 weeks of signing the contract. (To include a situation report, work plan and draft layout of the NES document)
- A Progress Report, which covers progress made under Stage 1 tasks a-f of the Scope of Work, delivered after 12 weeks.
- Draft NES document and Strategic Action Plans to be presented at a National Consultative Symposium by week 18.
- The final draft NES document and Strategic Action Plan by week 24.
- The final draft Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation framework with clear indicators, baselines, targets, timelines with accountable officers indicated by week 28.
- Launch of the NES 2015-2018 by week 34.
Approach and Implementation Arrangements
The project will be supervised by the Trade Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat. The NES Secretariat will be led by the MEDPTC which is the main client for this project. MEDPTC will provide access to office space, organise meetings and provide administrative support.
The assignment will be delivered through a stakeholder-driven approach. The consultant(s) is expected to work closely with stakeholder teams in designing the strategy. The consultant(s) is expected to facilitate/moderate a number of Stakeholder Dialogue consultations and other meetings at key stages of the assignment.
Experience and Qualifications
- Postgraduate qualifications in International Trade, Economics, Business or Management.
- Six years additional employment experience in marketing will be accepted in place of a postgraduate qualification.
- At least 10 years’ international experience in national and/or sector strategy development for exports, preferably acquired on projects for emerging or developing economies
- Considerable expertise in the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M & E) frameworks for the delivery of capacity building projects. A proven track record in supporting local institutions to utilise M & E frameworks.
- Ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders
- Good understanding of trade policy issues affecting small states
- Good track record of working in the Caribbean
- Good understanding of the policy and trade/business environment of Grenada will be an added advantage
How to apply
Proposals should clearly indicate:
- Technical approach and methodology proposed to undertake activities outlined in the scope of work (not more than 8 pages). Individual consultants should state their approach and methodology within the accompanying bid letter.
- Proposed work plan and milestones
- Proposed budget with all costs clearly broken down
- Detailed CVs of the proposed team members
- A breakdown of tasks and responsibilities between the team members
How to apply:
Please apply here: http://thecommonwealth.org/jobs/update-grenada-national-export-strategy-2016-2020