International Consultant - Expert on trade and transport facilitation in Central Asia

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background:

The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) deals with economic and environmental issues, operating under the premise that promoting economic prosperity and co-operation on environmental problems can contribute to international security and stability. The OSCE's role is twofold: a) to monitor economic and environmental developments among participating States, and alert them to any threat of instability, and b) to facilitate the formulation of economic and environmental policies and initiatives among participating States, to promote security. The Office currently comprises 22 staff members.

In line with its mandate stemming from relevant Ministerial Council decisions, the OCEEA will continue promoting the implementation of national and international commitments in the area of connectivity, including through activities designed to assist pS to enhance their capacities to successfully engage in international trade and transport and improve mechanisms for trade facilitation and coordination at regional level.

In this respect, From 10 to 16 January 2023, the OCEEA conducted a Capacity Needs Assessment Visit to Uzbekistan. The objective of the visit was to assess the logistical capacities and needs of the Termez Cargo Centre (TCC) established in 2016 at the only border crossing point with Afghanistan. In this context, It has been proposed to competent Uzbek authorities to leverage the expertise of the OSCE in transport and trade facilitation to carry out a feasibility study devoted to formulate recommendations on how to expand TCC’s role as a regional logistics hub.

Given that international organizations have been carrying out activities/projects in the area of border security and humanitarian aid supply, the feasibility study will aim to complement their work focusing on recommendations to enhance the role of the Termez Cargo Centre as a regional trade and transport facilitation hub. The OCEEA Capacity Needs Assessment Visit should be considered as a first important step in this regard. The feasibility study will also explore how the OSCE could contribute to enhancing cross-border trade and transit capabilities of the hub.

To this end, the study will verify the feasibility of a range of activities that include capacity building and exchange of best practices in transport management and logistics as well as the use of digital and applied information technologies. This fits well with the OSCE’s mandate to promote economic connectivity and the priorities of the Government of Uzbekistan (GoU) to stimulate trade relations with neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, and use its territory as a transit route to reach strategic outlets linked to major sea shipment routes.

Duration of Assignment:

Maximum 144 days.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The expert selected for this activity will complement the assistance in the delivery of the foreseen tasks, focusing on the following:

• Providing draft methodology for institutional assessment of the TCC and its potential as a regional hub, including:

- Analyse allignment with the state policies of the Republic of Uzbekistan on investments, increasing the regional trade and accession to the Word Trade Organization (WTO) in particular;

- Identify gaps and areas for improvement in the existing institutional capacities and policies;

- Evaluate the need for technology upgrades, skill development, and process optimization at the TCC;

• Provide inputs for the feasibility study, recommendations and an action plan on enhancing the potential of TCC as a regional hub;

- Conduct an analysis of the regional cargo market, including current trends, demand projections, and potential growth opportunities;

- Engage with key stakeholders, including management, staff, and government authorities, to understand their perspectives and requirements;

- Evaluate the existing infrastructure and technological capabilities of the TCC;

- Identify areas for improvement and modernization to meet regional hub standards.

• Provide support in organization of international conference in Tashkent in November 2023;
• Collaborate with OCEEA team and national stakeholders to develop a conference program and identify list of participants.

Expected Output/Deliverables:

• Draft methodology for institutional assessment of the Termez Cargo Center and its potential as a regional hub, including:

- Analysis of the allignment with the state policies of the Republic of Uzbekistan on investments, increasing the regional trade and accession to the Word Trade Organization (WTO) in particular;

- Analysis of the gaps and areas for improvement in the existing institutional capacities and policies;

- Evaluation of the need for technology upgrades, skill development, and process optimization at the TCC;

• Feasibility study on future improvement of institutional capacities of the Termez Cargo Center including recommendations and an action plan on enhancing the potential of Termez Cargo Centre as a regional hub, including:

- Analysis of the regional cargo market, including current trends, demand projections, and potential growth opportunities;

- Key stakeholders, including management, staff, and government authorities' perspectives and requirements;

- Existing infrastructure and technological capabilities of the TCC;

- Analysis of the reas for improvement and modernization to meet regional hub standards.

- Provided support in organization of international conference in Tashkent in November 2023, including elaborated concept note and agenda of the conference

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in politics, international relations, business administration, or other relevant field;
• A minimum of 6 years of work experience in the international development context;
• Experience working with governments, international organizations, and civil society in Central Asia in particular in the areas of connectivity, and trade and transport facilitation;
• Experience on development and delivery of public discussions and conferences is therefore required.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills;
• Excellent knowledge of English and Russian, including good written and oral skills, knowledge of Uzbek is an advantage;
• Experience in Central Asia is essential, preferably working experience in Uzbekistan in the area of connectivity, trade and transport facilitation;
• Very good communication, presentation, training and negotiation skills;
• Microsoft Office proficiency including Word, Excel and Power Point
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; professional fluency in Russian would be an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC000291
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: multiple
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Aug 17, 2023
• Closing Date: Aug 31, 2023
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Economic & Environmental Affairs