Workstream 4 Lead

The FCDO-funded Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (TFCS) is a £15m programme financed by FCDO and operational from 2020 – 2023. The objective of the TFCS is to improve the trade performance and Customs capabilities in the OPTs. It will ultimately contribute to increased inclusive private sector-led economic growth and fiscal sustainability in the OPTs. The programme is designed to be flexible and adaptable, and it will work politically and technically to make progress across the four key interrelated Workstreams.

• Workstream 1: Support to expedite the movement of goods and reduce transaction costs.
• Workstream 2: Support to improve Palestinian trade-related institutions and business enabling environment.
• Workstream 3: Support to improve the private sector’s skills and innovation to export and create jobs.
• Workstream 4: Support to improve PA’s Customs readiness to assume functions from Israel and revenues from trade-related taxes.

The programme is implemented by a Cowater-led consortium on behalf of FCDO. A Steering Committee (including representatives from FCDO, the Ministry of National Economy and other donors) will approve interventions identified and designed by the supplier. Supplier interventions will be reviewed, and quality assured by a Strategic Advisory Panel comprised of experts from the core consortium members across the four Workstreams. The Steering Committee will also monitor results and provide policy oversight throughout the programme lifetime.

Cowater is responsible for managing the implementation of this programme on behalf of FCDO and under its supervision. This includes designing and implementing interventions and providing quarterly and annual reports. The Cowater-led TFCS team is expected to identify and implement interventions that will improve trade performance and fiscal sustainability in the OPTs through the provision of grants for technical assistance, policy dialogue, analysis, and small-scale infrastructure (if needed). This will include interventions that will enhance trade logistics, reduce trade transaction costs, build trade-related institutions, create a more conducive enabling environment for trade, and grants to firms to procure technical assistance and equipment to improve their exports and be competitive. The programme will support interventions to facilitate the transfer of custom functions to the Palestinian Authority.

The programme is expected to implement between 40-60 strategic and systematic interventions across the Workstreams. The Cowater TFCS team will develop concepts and full intervention proposals for the programme’s Steering Committee to approve for implementation. The proposals will include measurable indicators and targets.

Job Purpose

Workstream 4 Lead (Support to improve PA’s Customs readiness to assume functions from Israel and revenues from trade-related taxes).

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Workstream Lead will manage the technical design and delivery of interventions within their Workstream.

Roles and Responsibilities

The aim of this work-stream is to provide technical assistance to the Palestinian Ministry of Finance and Planning to support the expansion of PA Customs scope of work, including the possible transfer of custom functions from Israel to the PA, and limit fiscal losses from inefficient clearance mechanism of trade related taxes between the PA and Israel as stipulated in the Paris Protocol.

The aim of this Workstream is to work with the Governments of Palestine and Israel, as well as other stakeholders, to facilitate technical discussions on reducing fiscal losses and Customs transfer, including negotiations on the terms of a framework agreement and the roles and responsibilities of each side.

Potential technical interventions may include:

• Support implementation of electronic sharing of VAT invoices.
• Supporting the legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for the transfer of Customs responsibilities (framework agreement, data interface with Israeli Customs, bonded warehouses, etc.). This may include IT infrastructure and software upgrades.
• Carrying out capacity building for public and private sector stakeholders (e.g. valuation, classification, standards inspection, professional certification for Customs brokers and freight forwarders, support services for “new exporters”).

The Workstream 4 lead will be responsible for the following tasks/activities:

• Leading the design and delivery of interventions to support Palestine Customs achieve its strategic priorities and to support its modernisation.
• Building the technical capacity of Customs counterparts through on-the-job coaching and mentoring.
• Identifying experts to deliver specific technical work in Customs and the quality control of deliverables.
• Ensuring Workstream 4 activities feed into the programme’s delivery requirements on Women’s economic empowerment.
• Work closely with the Knowledge Management Lead, Communications Lead, Monitoring and Evaluation Team on issues pertaining to their area of responsibility.
• Support the Senior Management Team as required in work planning, results measurement, and reporting.

Reporting Lines and Managerial Responsibilities

• This role reports to the Team Leader.
• There will be a need to work closely with the International Customs adviser as well as the Strategic Advisory Panel members.
• This role will also involve the management of consultants working within Workstream 4.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Key Competencies and Experience

• A Master’s degree in economics or similar field.
• At least 10 years of experience working in Customs.
• Demonstrated experience on donor-funded programmes.
• Experience in developing the technical capacity of counterparts, including strong mentoring/coaching/training skills, where sustainable knowledge and skills transfer is prioritised.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to build effective relationships with counterparts and colleagues from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and challenging environments.
• Ability to work effectively as a team-player.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, primarily in English, but preferably in both English and Arabic

Interested applicants are kindly requested to submit their CVs with detailed cover letter  (maximum two pages) outlining your qualifications according to the competencies and experience requirements listed in the job specification.

Complete applications must be sent by email at [email protected]

• Immediate start date.
• Competitive salary
• Interviews on rolling basis
• Only successful applicants will be contacted.

 We thank all applicants for their interest in this project, however only those shortlisted will be contacted