Senior Adviser to the Minister of National Economy

Terms of Reference 

Senior Adviser to the Minister of National Economy

Background 

The Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (Tasdeer) is a three-year programme funded by The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Cowater International in close cooperation and coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA) Ministry of National Economy (MoNE). 

The objective of the Tasdeer programme is to improve the Palestinian private sector competitiveness and the PA’s capacity in the fields of trade, customs and import policy regulation and administration. The Tasdeer programme aims to increase sustainable private sector lead economic growth and job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and the PA’s fiscal sustainability while ensuring equitable access to increased trade, and improved institutional capacity. 

The Tasdeer programme is designed to be flexible and adaptable, and will work politically and technically to make progress across four-key interrelated Workstreams:

• Work Stream 1: Support to expedite the movement of goods and reduce transaction costs.

This work stream aims to develop systemic interventions that will seek to expedite the movement of goods and contribute to impactful reductions in transaction costs for Palestinian imports and exports. 

• Work Stream 2: Support to improve Palestinian trade-related institutions and business enabling environment.

This work stream aims to improve the Palestinian trade-related institutions and strengthen the trade operating environment. 

• Work Stream 3: Support to improve the private sector’s skills and innovation to export and create jobs.

This work stream aims to support activities that will help Palestinian firms increase their exports through the application of a market-driven approach. This market-driven approach will identify potential buyers/markets while exploring the linkages between the buyer, the firms and its suppliers. 

• Work Stream 4: Support to improve PA’s Customs readiness to assume functions from Israel and revenues from trade-related taxes.

This works stream aims to: (1) provide technical assistance to enhance the capacity of the PA Ministry of Finance Customs Department including the possible transfer of additional custom functions from Israel to the PA; and (2) to limit fiscal losses from inefficient clearance mechanism of trade-related taxes between the PA. 

MoNE plays a central role in the Tasdeer programme and in its success. Together with the FCDO and the Ministry of Finance, MONE is also a member in the programme’s Steering Committee that is responsible for:

• Programme oversight 
• Approving interventions identified and designed by TASDEER team. 
• Strategic advice and alignment with national priorities. 
• Facilitate the implementation of the program interventions with official channels and stakeholders.

Given the critical and leading regulatory, strategic and policy role the MoNE plays in strengthening trade and exports in Palestine, Tasdeer will assist the MoNE through embedding an adviser to the Minister and MoNE to support the ministry’s effort in improving the business enabling environment and trade facilitation. 

Roles and Duties: 

 Facilitating the implementation of Tasdeer programme:

1. Facilitate the work of Tasdeer with the MoNE and with other relevant PA institutions by: 
2. Providing advice to the Minister and MoNE staff regarding interventions identified and designed by Tasdeer team and their alignment with Palestinian national priorities. 
3. Providing input and feedback into policies, proposed scopes of work and deliverables related to the MoNE.  
4. Preparing MoNE comments/suggestions regarding proposed interventions. 

Stakeholders’ engagement:

1. Work closely with MoNE international department to foster relations with the international community. 
2. Enhance MoNE cooperation and communication with the Palestinian Private Sector representative bodies and leadership. 

Trade Policy Advice: 

1. Advise MoNE on developing trade policies including on establishing the National Trade Facilitation Committee. 
2. Advise MoNE on harmonization and standardization of border procedures to minimize costs and time for the movement of cargo. 
3. Assist MoNE in joining relevant mutual accreditation/certification recognition agreements with key trading partners. 
4. Assist in accelerating the reform programme to improve the Palestinian investment climate. 
5. Work with Investment Promotion and Industrial Estate Agency (IPIEA) managements on developing and implementing a merger (consolidation) plan. 
6. Cary out any other relevant task as required by the Minister.

Reporting:

1. The Senior Adviser will be contracted by Tasdeer and will be embedded and work from the Minister’s office in Ramallah. 
2. The Senior Adviser will report to the Minister of National Economy and coordinate closely with Tasdeer Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader and WS1 Leader. 

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Qualifications, skills, and professional experience: 

• A Masters’ degree in economics, business management, trade public policy or other relevant fields. 
• A minimum of fifteen years of experience working in areas relevant to trade facilitation. 
• Experience in developing economic or trade-related policies.
• Experience in providing high level strategic advisory support is preferred. Experience with donor approaches to delivery, private sector development, monitoring and evaluation, market systems, gender and social inclusion is preferred.
• Knowledge of the political, economic, and social constraints in Palestine.
• Experience with international donor reporting requirements is preferred.
• Excellent writing skills (reports, work plans, proposals).
• Strong managerial and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills (formal and informal) and ability to work in English and Arabic.

Duration:

This assignment is expected to last 6 months. 

Interested applicants are kindly requested to submit their CVs with a cover letter clearly indicating the position name and explaining how they qualify to fulfill the specified position requirements. 

Completed applications must be sent by email to [email protected] and [email protected] 

 by June 25th, 2021. 

Tasdeer is an equal employer. 

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.