Baseline study of Mozambique’s experience in the participation of Preferential Trade Agreements and its implications for the ratification of AfCFTA

Contract

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Background

The Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signed in Kigali, Rwanda, on 21st March 2018, is a key milestone in Africa’s regional integration. The Agreement includes the Protocol on Trade in Goods, the Protocol on Trade in Services and the Protocol on Rules and Procedures for Settlement of Disputes. These protocols are being negotiated under Phase 1 of AfCFTA implementation. The Agreement also encompasses Protocols on Investment, Competition Policy and Intellectual Property Rights, which will be negotiated under Phase 2.

The overall aim of the study is to inform the AfCFTA ratification process in Mozambique by drawing from its past experience participating in preferential trade initiatives, in order to identify the possible gains that could be derived from AfCFTA accession, areas and issues of concern, as well as complementary policy measures that may need to be implemented in areas such as industrial policy and technology, agricultural development, infrastructure and logistics or education, for Mozambique to reap the full benefits of AfCFTA. Special attention will be given to Mozambique’s experience with the implementation of the SADC Trade Protocol and SADC FTA, given the significance of this agreement and the importance of trade and economic relations with SADC countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

In order to respond to these objectives, the experts hired to undertake this baseline study will respond to the following issues for the following two (2) main components of the study:

Component 1 – Assessment of Mozambique’s participation in PTAs, with a focus on SADC

1. List and map all multilateral and bilateral preferential trade agreements to which Mozambique is currently party to, including the SADC FTA.
2. Collect all necessary trade-and investment related data (flows, tariffs, non-tariff barriers, applied tariffs, rules of origin, investment provisions, competition provisions, etc.) that can help understand the costs and benefits for Mozambique of joining these PTAs, particularly the SADC FTA.
3. Take stock of the degree to which Mozambique is implementing the various protocols and provisions of SADC and indicate areas where implementation has been weak, identifying reasons for such weak implementation and lessons that can be drawn to inform AfCFTA ratification and implementation.
4. Analyze the extent to which Mozambique is using its current preferential trade agreements for trade in goods within and outside Africa (SADC, AGOA, EU, GTSP, WTO-GSP), reasons for underutilization of such preferences, if any, and the challenges it faces in global and regional trade.
5. Explain the protocols, annexes, provisions and institutional and governance architecture underlying the SADC FTA, and how these differ or complement from what is being proposed under the AfCFTA.
6. Undertake a brief comparative analysis of the rules of origin under the AFCFTA and the SADC FTA and analyze the challenges faced by Mozambique in complying with rules of origin under the SADC FTA.

Analyze and critically assess the broader benefits and downsides that have resulted from Mozambique having adhered to the SADC Trade Protocol and FTA.

Note: Please refer to ToRs for complete set of responsabilities

Competencies

Context analysis

Ability to research, discover trends, and make recommendations on specific development context

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Data Analysis

Ability to evaluate, transform and model data to derive relevant findings.

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Drafting and writing

Ability to prepare quality reports that provide clear reasoning and analysis

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Partnerships

Ability to establish effective partnerships for results with counterparts and partners

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or above) in economics, trade, public policy or related fields is required.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of proven experience in development policy analysis and research, policy advice and/or policy formulation, with a focus on trade, regional integration and development.
• Demonstrated experience working with government organizations, and/or international organizations on trade and development-related matters at the policy level, or of participating in projects (e.g. evaluations, studies, etc.) involving this type of work.
• Proven professional knowledge and practical experience on SADC Trade Protocol implementation matters and, more generally, regional integration processes in which Mozambique is or has taken part, would be desirable.
• Strong data analysis skills and familiarity in the use of standard statistical packages (Excel, STATA, etc.) is desirable.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English and Portuguese (both oral and written) is required.