International Logistics Expert

***Only candidates with the relevant right to work will be considered***

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Logistics Expert to produce costed proposals on implementing a trailer exchange model at Palestine’s border crossing with Jordan.

Sector: Trade Facilitation

Position Type: Logistics Expert

Duration/Level of Effort: Up to 25 person days over two months (June 2023 onwards)

Position Location: [Ramallah/Gaza/Field] with travel to the field expected.

Reports to: Trade Facilitation Lead

   
BACKGROUND
Tasdeer is a Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (2020-2025; £15m) funded by UK Aid from the British Government and implemented by a consortium led by Cowater International.

Our objective is to improve the Palestinian private sector’s competitiveness and Palestinian Authority (PA) capacity in trade, customs and import policy regulation and administration. We aim to increase sustainable private sector-led economic growth and job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, supporting the PA’s fiscal sustainability while promoting equitable access to the benefits of increased trade and improved institutional capacity.

The King Hussein Bridge (KHB) is the only international border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan (controlled by Israel). Expanding Palestinian trade through the KHB is essential for the development of a viable Palestinian economy.

Under existing processes and policy, the current transfer process of goods across the KHB is costly and inefficient. Lengthy logistics, administrative and security procedures when coupled with inadequate infrastructure, limited working hours and restrictions placed on pallets have turned the KHB crossing into a major bottleneck. Given the KHB’s importance, this bottleneck represents a substantive obstacle to trade and economic growth for Palestinians.  The underutilization of scanning equipment by Israel and redundant manual inspections on both sides of the bridge increase the cost of shipping, with corresponding impacts on consumer prices for imported goods and raw materials and reduced competitiveness of Palestinian exports.

The main obstacle to trade at the KHB is the back-to-back arrangement implemented by the Israeli Airport Authority (IAA) for all goods moving across the bridge. Despite the availability of a modern scanner on the Palestinian side of the KHB, all goods moving across the bridge must be unloaded from one truck and re-loaded onto another truck after manual inspection. This process hinders effective and efficient movement of goods including, inter alia: significantly increasing transportation costs, causing delays in the movement of goods, and causing damage to goods, particularly perishable and sensitive products contingent on unbroken cold chains. It is estimated that this back-to-back process costs an added USD 530 per truckload of goods transferred across the KHB.

Tasdeer has produced a comprehensive study to assess the current operations at the KHB and has accordingly identified a Logistic-to-Logistic (L2L) corridor, combined with Trailer Exchange and Direct Shipping (DSC), as the most optimal shipping method. If approved, this method can be implemented in stages over three years. Based on consultation with 25 companies from various sectors, Tasdeer proposes switching from the current ‘back-to-back’ arrangement to a Trailer Exchange shipping method which would allow trucks to cross KHB without transloading. This process ensures that cargo remains on the same trailer throughout its transportation (i.e. from its origin through to its final destination). Rather than conducting manual checks, cargo will be inspected using the existing electronic scanner and then the tractor will be changed in the designated cargo area. All relevant documents will remain attached to the trailer.

If implemented, the trailer exchange shipping method will transform trade across KHB. Compared to existing back-to-back procedures, Tasdeer’s proposed processes offer significant gains in efficiency, thereby creating further economic opportunities. Specifically, the impact of adopting the trailer exchange model is forecast to:

• Eliminate the costly back-to-back procedure and other transloading processes which, at the current volume of trade, will reduce annual costs by $24 million/year.
• Accelerate the process of clearance and avoid congestion at the KHB.
• Increase the volume of trade through the KHB to around 430 truckloads per day once fully implemented.
• Increase the capacity of goods on each trailer to 24 pallets, and by 30% if the goods are loose and 10% if boxed.
• Be inclusive to all goods and all traders, rather than limited to known traders.

  
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

Tasdeer are recruiting for a senior expert to draft costed proposals on the implementation of the trailer exchange shipping method at the KHB bridge

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

To include the following six core activities:

• Conducting an assessment of existing trailers in use by Palestinian and Jordanian shipping and trucking companies, including an overview of current trailer types, ownership and specifications. There are many different trailer types currently in use depending on the type of goods (pallet-based, boxed, or loose), including dry van trailers, standard flatbed trailers, reefer trailers and others.
• In accordance with Tasdeer’s proposed operating model for KHB, evaluating which different types of trailer offer the most practical and efficient option for the KHB, and providing a clear proposal based on types and volumes of goods, types of commodities (loose, pallet based, boxed), number required to meet demand at KHB, and security specifications.
• Developing wider policy recommendations for consideration as part of the trailer exchange model, for example trailer specifications (height, weight, volume etc), contractual and insurance requirements, and drivers’ requirements.
• Reviewing best practice proposals for the operations of the trailer exchange and designing a proposal which effectively meets the needs of the PA and other stakeholders (including traders) and incorporates any recommendations made during activity 1-3.
• Reviewing existing infrastructure on both sides of the KHB and preparing a costed proposal for any new infrastructure required to operate the trailer exchange according to the revised technical and operational approach, for example including an expansion of the exchange area.
• Assessing existing shipping documentation requirements and processes and developing a proposal for new shipping documentation which aligns to the revised approach to trailer management (pre-arrival or on arrival basis).

Methodology

To deliver the above activities, it is anticipated that the selected expert will use a range of methodological techniques including, inter alia, conducting:

• A desk-based review of relevant academic, grey, and Tasdeer-generated literature relating to the KHB.
• Original quantitative research into utilization of the KHB, for example including analysis of statistical data obtained from government agencies and/or shipping companies.
• Original qualitative research into different options for the KHB, conducting key informant interviews and/or focus group discussions with stakeholders such as MoNE, MoT, trade experts, private sector representatives and stakeholders.

The specific analysis and methodology will be agreed between the consultant and Tasdeer at the outset of the assignment.

The consultant is expected to demonstrate reasonable flexibility during the delivery of the assignment for changes to scope and timelines. Throughout the assignment, the consultant is expected to apply and integrate GESI considerations, for example collecting disaggregated data when available and applicable, to ensure adequate consideration is given to social inclusion.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in business administration, economics, international trade, trade and development, or related fields
• A minimum of 10 years of proven work experience in the conduct of economic studies, research in international trade, operations and industrial policies within the customs unions, customs operations, revenue management and taxation.
• Background experience in the design, establishment of trade policies at either national, regional, or international level are an asset.
• Previous experience in working on relevant issues in OPTs and understanding of the political context is a plus.
• Demonstrate awareness of the gender and social inclusion issues and is familiar with gender equality and inclusion data collection tools and analytical frameworks.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English. Arabic is a plus.

DELIVERABLES

The consultant is required to provide a comprehensive written report in an editable format which includes: 

1. A trailer exchange needs assessment, responding to the specific points outlined above.
2. An overview of the different types of trailers in current use by Palestinian and Jordanian traders, with a clear and costed recommendation of the most practical choice of trailer, based on operational and technical parameters to be agreed during the outset of the work. Complementary to this, the report must include costed proposals for the trailer requirements at the bridge including, but not limited to, trailer specifications, contractual and insurance requirements, and drivers’ requirements.
3. An analysis of different options for physical infrastructure on both sides of the KHB bridge, including clear and cost recommendations on the physical infrastructure required to deliver the preferred operational model on the KHB bridge.
4. A recommended budget for implementing all proposed changes to operational and technical requirements, and physical infrastructure.
5. A template of contract or agreement to be signed between trucking companies to regulate the exchange of trailers and associated services (such as insurance, return period, etc).

Further information on the report will be made available to the selected consultant during the inception phase of the assignment, for example the report’s intended audience and length. The report must be written in English.

The consultant may be asked to provide brief intermediary deliverables during the development of the report. These may include a) a short methodological note outlining the methodology to be used during the assignment; b) a stakeholder engagement plan; c) a brief outline of the final report structure. These will be confirmed during the inception phase of the assignment.

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE AND DUTY STATION

The assignment is expected to be completed over a two-month (eight week) period, starting in June 2023. An indicative table of inputs is available below.

The consultant can work remotely or be based in Tasdeer’s Ramallah office. The consultant is expected to be in Palestine and Jordan to deliver stakeholder consultations, according to the schedule outlined below. The travel plan for the assignment will be agreed between the consultant and the Tasdeer team during the inception phase of the assignment. The consultant will be expected to propose a travel plan which enables effective and efficient delivery of the requisite stakeholder consultations immediately after the signature of the contract.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, no later than 4:00 pm Thursday 1st June 2023 to [email protected]. We will assess applications on a rolling basis.

Candidates must submit the following to be considered:

• A full CV
• A short proposal of no more than five pages, outlining their approach to completing the task and articulating their suitability for the roller (five-page limit, A4).

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position. 

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
   
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

   ABOUT US

With more than 35 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec; London, United Kingdom; Nairobi, Kenya; and Brussels, Belgium, in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.