Consultant for a study on the integration of ODS/HFC import/export licensing system into a national single window system

Result of Service Output 1: Detailed workplan/outline of the feasibility study report and the guidance booklet prepared and agreed by UNEP/ESCAP

Output 2: First draft of the feasibility study report prepared and submitted to UNEP/ESCAP

Output 3: Revised draft of the feasibility study report ready for UNNExT Advisory Group meeting

Output 4: Meeting report of the UNNExT Advisory Group on paperless processing of controlled environmental goods with comments/feedbacks/recommendations

Output 5: Final feasibility study report prepared and submitted to UNEP/ESCAP

Output 6: First draft of the guidance booklet prepared and submitted to UNEP/ESCAP

Output 7: Final guidance booklet prepared and submitted to UNEP/ESCAP

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Purpose:

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is one of four implementing agencies under the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of Montreal Protocol (MLF) to assist developing countries to implement activities at the national level to phase-out consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS). In addition to the implementing agency functions, UNEP OzonAction provides direct assistance to developing countries to enable them to maintain their compliance status with the Montreal Protocol's obligations for the phaseout of ODS through its Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP). Given the adoption of the Kigali Amendment by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, the support to countries will also include the phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

UNEP CAP team in the Asia and the Pacific Office supports 38 countries in the Asia and the Pacific region through the National Ozone Unit (NOU), which is the government focal point for the daily implementation of the Montreal Protocol in developing countries under CAP services. These services include the establishment and implementation of the licensing/quota system for the ODS/HFC import and export control, which is mandatory under the Montreal Protocol. In the past few years, more and more countries are exploring the possibility of developing online systems to facilitate the ODS/HFC import/export licensing application and approval, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, many NOUs recognizes the benefits if an ODS/HFC licensing system could also be synchronized with single window systems that have been developed by national customs authorities in various countries.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has been working on trade facilitation and digital trade in Asia and the Pacific to accelerate trade digitalization across the region through capacity building, pilot testing, harmonization, and mutual recognition of paperless trade systems, etc. ESCAP is the Secretariat of the UN treaty entitled Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (for more information, please visit at: https://www.unescap.org/kp/cpta), which is dedicated to facilitation of electronic exchange of trade related data and documents. It has, jointly with United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), also established the United Nations Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT) (for more information, please visit at ttps://unnext.unescap.org/), a community of knowledge and practice for experts from developing countries and transitioning economies from Asia and the Pacific involved in the implementation of electronic trade systems and trade facilitation. The extensive expertise, legislative mandate and the established networks will make ESCAP a valuable partner to help countries to pursue the process for countries to synchronize their ODS/HFC licensing systems with single window systems in various countries.

Objectives:

UNEP CAP team in Asia and the Pacific, in partnership with ESCAP will engage an international consultant to conduct a feasibility study for Article 5 countries in integrating/interfacing the ODS/HFC for import/export licensing systems into a national single window system to facilitate application, review, approval, transmission and monitoring crossing different stakeholders and to provide recommendations for UNEP CAP/UNESCAP to assist countries to materialize the integration process cost-effectively. Following the feasibility study, the consultant is expected to develop two reports: (i) a feasibility report based on the study and (ii) a booklet to provide guidance for the NOUs to coordinate and to obtain cooperation/support from customs authorities to foster the integration process.

The consultant shall conduct a feasibility study and develop a feasibility study report and a guidance booklet on integration of the national licensing system for ODS/HFCs import/export into a national Single Window System and/or interfacing with the existing customs automation system for trade clearance to facilitate license application, review and approval as well as trade transmission, clearance and monitoring.

Under overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator, UNEP CAP, Asia and the Pacific, the consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Prepare a feasibility study report. The feasibility study report should cover the following topics and be prepared in close consultation with UNEP and ESCAP: a) Introduction to the National Single Window System concept; b) Current status on establishment/operation of Single Window Systems in selected countries as assigned by UNEP, including trade-related regulatory processes covered by them. For those countries without established Single Window Systems, their status on implementation of Customs automation systems should be reviewed, including trade-related regulatory processes handled; c) Overview of the current practices of ODS/HFC import/export license application, review approval processes, existing customs automation system for the clearance process (e.g. ASYCUDA, PC Trade etc.) in selected countries as assigned by UNEP and status of connection of ODS/HFC import/export license application with Single Window and customs operational system for the clearance process; d) Options and recommendations for integrating/interfacing ODS/HFC licensing process with the national single window system and/or existing customs automation system for clearance process;

The above should include: 1) pros and cons of different options, including their costs; 2) policy/legal/technical/managerial barriers of different options, in particular integrating/interfacing with the single window system, and how to alleviate those barriers; 3) national level facilitation measures; 4) regional level facilitation measures by regional/international organizations; 5) cost/benefit analysis including issues such as reduced administrative and reporting burden, increased accuracy, less time for auditing/validation, etc.

e) The feasibility study report is for UNEP/UNESCAP consideration, and should cover the following: 1) The regional options to assist countries to integrate/interface the ODS/HFC licensing application and approval process with the single window system/the existing Customs automation system with pros/cons; 2) recommendation to UNEP and UNESCAP on the feasible approach in the next few years to assist countries to integrate/interface the ODS/HFC licensing application and approval process with the single window system/the existing Customs automation system.

2. Present the feasibility study report to an Advisory Group on paperless processing of controlled environmental goods to be established under UNNExT for its review and guidance, including support to its establishment. After the presentation, the consultant shall develop a meeting report on the draft study report, which summarizes the comments/feedbacks/recommendations in close consultation with UNEP and ESCAP.

3. Finalize the feasibility study report. The consultant shall incorporate comments/feedbacks obtained from UNEP and ESCAP staff (if any further) and comments/feedbacks from the UNNExT Advisory Group on paperless processing to finalize the feasibility study report.

4. Prepare a guidance booklet based on the finalized study report. The guidance booklet will target the national Ozone Units (NOUs) and, based on findings from the feasibility study report, should cover a) overview of the single window system and national ODS/HFC licensing system; b) guidance for the NOUs on how to integrate/interface the ODS/HFC licensing application and approval process with the single window system/the existing Customs automation system; and c) garner cooperation/support from customs authorities.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Master's Degree or higher in economics, management or other closely related fields

Experience: - A minimum of 5 years of work experiences in Customs, trade facilitation, paperless trade and Single Window implementation - Work experience in cooperation between Customs and other trade-related regulatory agencies is highly desired - Work experience in drafting documents, study report or guidebook and development of technical documents

Skills: - Efficient use of Microsoft Office programs is required. - Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments and the prioritization of tasks.

Language: Fluency in oral and written English is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.