1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Post Title
Short Term Trade Facilitation Expert (Customs)

Beneficiary
The Moldova Customs Service (MD CS)
The State Customs Service of Ukraine (UA SCS)

1.2 Contracting Authority
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

1.3 Relevant country background
The Moldova-Ukraine State Border is 1,222 km long, consisting of 955 km of green border and 267 km of blue border. There are 67 official border crossing points along the Ukraine border, including international, inter-state and local ones. At the Moldova-Ukraine border, a section of 472 km is under control of the so-called Transnistrian authorities, including 25 official crossing points (5 international, 8 inter-state and 12 local). There is an internal / administrative "boundary" between the so-called Transnistria and Moldova proper (which is basically the Dniestr River) where 14 Internal Customs Control Posts have been established. Moldovan border guards do not control this "internal boundary".
In June 2005 the Presidents of Moldova and Ukraine sent a joint letter to the EU requesting assistance for enhanced border management capacities, including the development of an international standard of border and customs control at the Moldova/Ukraine state border. The EU responded positively to this request and an EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine was set-up which is based on a Memorandum of Understanding dated 7 October 2005 and signed between the European Commission, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. UNDP is the European Commission's implementing partner in this endeavor. The initial duration of the EUBAM was 2 years. Its mandate has been extended for further 2 years until end of November 2009.
EUBAM's mandate is, amongst others, to build up appropriate operational and institutional capacity in Moldova and Ukraine to ensure effective border and customs controls and surveillance as well as effective fight against criminal cross-border activities and organised crime with particular attention to the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border, including relevant inland areas and locations. In this context, EUBAM is seeking to make a sustainable contribution to support the counterpart services of Moldova and Ukraine in the implementation of modern, EU compliant, border management systems.

1.4 Current state of affairs in the relevant sector
Since launched in November 2005 EUBAM has been advising and assisting in the implementation of modern management concepts in line with EU Standards and accepted best international practice at the common borders of Moldova and Ukraine and in Regional and HQ units. Although training and guidance has been delivered since 2006 and regular recommendations have been given, the senior management of the services need to be given the opportunity to increase their horizon with regards to border management systems at the operational and strategic level.
Both customs services maintain control systems that concentrate on the control rather than facilitation aspects of their work and this area requires strengthening in line with WCO/ WTO treaty requirements such as Kyoto and other agreements and in both countries' stated aims of enhancing trade and economic growth.

1.5 Related programmes and other donor activities:
On-going projects in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova

BUMAD (Ukraine & Moldova), implemented by UNDP of MD and UA
Regional project — fighting against drug trafficking in the countries- Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova — with number of institutions (CUS, SBGS, MoI Information and Security Service, Migration Department of RM). In the framework of this project SBGS HQ and BCPs were equipped with canopies, video surveillance equipments; Development of Black Sea Information Exchange System; Procurement of hardware and software for the RAA training. Under BUMAD donations of computers and licenses for use of IT computer based risk analysis training were provided — Intended to be used in RA training.

Ukraine/Moldova Land Border Project and Ukraine Maritime Proliferation Prevention Project, Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA )
The overall objective of the project is to enhance the capability of the SBGS and SCS to detect and interdict the illicit trafficking of WMD and related materials through Ukraine's international and state points of entry (POEs) on the land border and waterways forming parts of the border between Moldova and Ukraine.

Programme held in Black Sea Region, Donation and training in use of physical and chemical detection equipment are provided through US Embassy staff in Kyiv and Raytheon company as private contractor. This Project also includes physical surveillance equipment such as mobile radars (land and maritime) and night vision devices.

IOM Mission in Ukraine
The IOM's Mission in Ukraine is to assist the GOU in meeting growing operational challenges of migration management, advancing understanding of migration issues, encouraging social and economic development through migration, and upholding the human dignity and well-being of migrants. The IOM Mission in Ukraine opened in 1996 and operates four programs: I. Capacity Building in Migration Management — Specific projects relating to the SBGS include:
- Developing Approaches to Implementation of Risk Management and Criminal Analysis Systems in the SBGS.
- Feasibility Study and Terms of Reference on the Possibilities for an Enhanced Cross-Border Information Exchange System at the Ukrainian-Moldova State Border.
- Reinforcing the SBGS's Human Resources Management System. II.
- Counter-trafficking in Human Beings,
- Migration Health, and Migration Movement and
- Labour Migration.

HUREMAS, Human Resources Management Programme, IOM Ukraine
Working with UA SBGS — this project involves the use of international advisors (initially from Poland and Hungary) dealing with legal reforms and humanitarian issues respectively).The main aim is to develop professional managerial skills in personnel issues but it may have wider implications. Includes assistance in the development of the UA SBGS Academy in Khmelnitskiy. A further programme will support the development of the HR function in the MD SBGS, including support to the development of the Moldovan Border Guard College.

Programme against Human trafficking in Eastern and south Eastern Europe 2005-2008 (Ukraine/Moldova), implemented by Danish Government and IOM
A Danish programme of support to counter human trafficking efforts in Eastern Europe. The programme focuses primarily on supporting and enhancing the efforts of international organizations and non-governmental organizations in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. The results of these activities suggest that the Danish Programme Against Human Trafficking should concentrate primarily on supporting prevention and protection efforts in the three main focus countries and that a proportion of the support available should also be used to benefit Bulgaria and Romania, notably through the compilation and dissemination of good practice and delivery of specialized training. Scheduled for 2005-2008;

EXBS Program (Export Control and Related Border Security Program), U.S. Department of State (DOS)
The EXBS program comprises a wide range of non-proliferation export control assistance, from licensing and legal/regulatory technical workshops, to provision of non-proliferation equipment and training for border control and enforcement agencies, such as the SCS, SBGS, the State Service for Export Control of Ukraine, and the State Ecological Inspection of Ukraine. The EXBS program assistance in Ukraine includes provision of training services, equipment and other commodities related to the detection, deterrence, monitoring, interdiction, and prevention or countering of proliferation. (Equipment provided includes, but is not limited to, different border inspectional tools, large scale x-ray equipment to be used at rail/sea corridors etc.) . The EXBS program in Ukraine has already scheduled Targeting and Risk Management course designed for customs inspectors to assist them to understand risk management process. that includes: collection of data and information; analysis and assessment of risk; development of an effective action plan and skills to track and report findings, with the knowledge, skills and abilities to better screen shipments by identifying those that present a risk and targeting those that should be inspected.

Strengthening capacities and cooperation in the identification of forged and falsified documents in Ukraine, ICMPD
To contribute to an increased effectiveness in the fight against illegal migration by the Ukrainian authorities (SBGS, Security Service, Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Department of Citizenship, Immigration and Registration of Individual Persons, Ministry of Interior of Ukraine; State Committee for Nationalities and Migration of Ukraine) Specific objectives:
- Enhanced cooperation and information exchange between Ukrainian authorities involved in the fight against illegal migration;
- Strengthened capacities of the staff of agencies involved in the fight against illegal migration to detect forged and falsified travel documents.
Duration of the action 24 months (30.12.2006-30.12.2008)

Assistance in Reforming and Increasing the Efficiency of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, OSCE
The overall goal of this project is to assist, on the request of the government of Ukraine, the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (USBGS) to strengthen the border security at the South-West border section, selected by the SBGSU, by providing this law-enforcement agency with: 1) IT equipment & 2) capacity building training in risk analysis to border police officers.
This project, which has a pilot character for the SBGSU, will result in the improved operational and professional capacities of the USBGS to collect and analyze data on illegal cross-border activities at the South-West border of Ukraine.

US Department of Justice, International Criminal Investigations Training and Assistance Program (Moldova), US Embassy
MCC funded — a large scale project to fight against corruption and enhance opportuninites for economic development by improving the biusiness environment and fighting corruption. This programme will also aim to establish a paper free Black Sea — Baltic Sea transit control system.

Introduction and maintenance of ASYCUDA WORLD system (Moldova), UNCTAD
The program was launched upon agreement in 2002. Agreement came into effect on April 14, 2004 and was extended until March 2007 with the additional financing provided by the World Bank. Regional support for the update and maintenance of the system will last until end of 2007. April 2004-end of 2007

Simplification of Customs Procedures in Moldova, EC/ Human Dynamics
A support to the Customs Service of Moldova aiming to assist by enhancing capacity in the area of IPR, Post Import Audit and simplification of procedures. December 2007 — December 2007

2 OBJECTIVE, PURPOSE & EXPECTED RESULTS

2.1 Overall objective
To assist the senior managers of the Moldova Customs Service (MD CS) and the State Customs Service of Ukraine (UA SCS) in developing and systems and procedures that conform to EU standards — in particular strengthening capacity in regarding measures to facilitate and ease trade and cooperate with traders.

2.2 Specific objectives
Specific objectives of this contract are as follows:
* To work closely with the senior management of MD CS, UA SCS and with other stakeholders, to identify and specify needs, to identify strengths and weaknesses in their existing systems and procedures for facilitating trade.
* To assist in the development of management functions in the organisation at the senior management level including the provision of training and mentoring to assist in the development of planning and systems to engage with the trading and business community and to enhance communication between customs and traders — with the overall object of attaining service levels in accordance with EU standards, WCO/ WTO expectations (as elaborated in conventions, agreements and treaties to which both counterparts are party) and accepted best international practice of customs operations and law enforcement.
* To adapt the existing concept or to design new management structures and systems in the organisation and to advise and assist during the implementation of new systems that aid the development of trade.

2.3 Results to be achieved by the Consultant

1 Design and delivery of a training course/ workshop, in collaboration with EUBAM and other interested parties, for Ukrainian and Moldovan customs managers in trade facilitation standards; accepted international policies and policy development in this field; practices and procedures to implement such policies in line with EU, WCO and other expectations; development of Memoranda of Understanding, certified trader and similar instruments with the business community in line with EU, WCO, WTO and other relevant parties' expectations.
2 Development of Course notes, course materials, planning tools and practical exercises that will be part of the training and will be available for use in future training events by UA SCS and MD CS
3 16 customs managers prepared in relevant trade facilitation matters.
4 A report that includes an evaluation of the training and recommendations for future work needed.

3 ASSUMPTIONS & RISKS

3.1 Assumptions underlying the project intervention

1) UA SCS and MD CS will remain prepared to approximate their services towards EU standards and will provide sufficient logistic support to the consultant.
2) UA SCS and MD CS will allow appropriate access to the consultant to premises, systems and personnel.
3) Legal and other regulatory frameworks are in place to support and enable the work in hand.

3.2 Risks

1. Loss of political and institutional support for the implementation of reform;
2. Disagreement within the international community, or between the international community and the recipient services, concerning the project methodology and/or priorities;
3. The proposed work may place a significant financial and staffing burden on the beneficiaries in respect of the training and subsequent operations.
4. Disagreement within the counterparts and the implementing organisation concerning the level of implementation and/or cooperation between the involved players.

4 SCOPE OF THE WORK

4.1 General

4.1.1 Beneficiaries
The Moldova Customs Service

The State Customs Service of Ukraine

4.1.2 Project description
The project can be divided into 3 phases:

1) An Inception Phase identifying and agreeing needs and refining and agreeing strategies, outputs and objectives for the assignment;
2) An Implementation Phase of up to two visits;
3) Evaluation of the work done.

4.2 Specific activities
The phases should be carried out in chronological order — they will aim to strengthen the capacity of senior managers in the organisation to plan and implement modern management systems and will include:

* In collaboration with EUBAM, counterparts, stakeholders and others the consultant will design and deliver material and training sessions to increase knowledge of the main aspects and policies of trade facilitation and the practical implementation of such measures.
* Seminars, training sessions and mentoring of individuals to develop strategies for communicating with and engaging with the business community — particularly as it relates to the common borders of Moldova and Ukraine;
* Assistance, in the form of workshops and seminars, in the development of MoU, Certified Trader systems, and similar instruments to facilitate legitimate trade.
* Assistance to senior managers in understanding the need for trade facilitation — particularly as it relates to the effective implementation of WCO, WTO and EU agreements that both countries are party to.
* Assistance to senior managers (in the form of workshops and one to one mentoring) in developing the skills needed for effective management in this important area of change for customs — in particular helping to imbue managers with the ability to create clear plans and strategies to implement these agreements at the institutional level in all relevant functional areas of the organisation.

4.3 Project management

4.3.1 Responsible body
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office In Ukraine will be responsible for managing the contract. The work will be implemented as a component part of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova & Ukraine (EUBAM).

4.3.2 Management structure
On the Contracting Authority's side, the project will be managed by UNDP with project management and coordination provided by the EUBAM. The expert will report to the Head of Mission through the Deputy Head of Mission or the Head of Operations of EUBAM.

4.3.3 Facilities to be provided by the Contracting Authority and/or other parties
Office and logistical support to the expert including translation, administrative support, communications, transport and project "life support" systems will be provided by EUBAM.

5 LOGISTICS AND TIMING

5.1 Location
The project locations will be Odessa and Kiev, Ukraine and Chisinau, Moldova.

5.2 Commencement date & Period of execution

5.2.1. Commencement date
The projected duration of the consultancy is 18 (eighteen) working days and is expected to commence on 1 April 2008.

5.2.2. Period of execution
The execution of the contract shall be completed by 30 October 2008.

6. REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Personnel
Key expert: Senior Trade Facilitation Expert (Customs)

a) General:
* Earlier international exposure, the ability to work independently but also in a multicultural environment is an asset.
* Active, former or recently retired member of a Customs Service or Revenue Management Agency or equivalent position in a public service or ministry.

b) Qualifications and skills
* University degree and/or equivalent education or relevant professional training and experience;
* Professional in the area of border management in an EU Customs Service or Revenue Management Agency or equivalent with at least 20 years of experience and 10 years in senior management positions — with particular experience in managing the process of implementing trade facilitation strategies in a public sector (Customs & Revenue Management) institution — with clear understanding of relevant treaties, agreements and MoUs relating to trade facilitation including those developed by the EU, WCO and WTO.
* Well developed client interface and interpersonal skills;
* Advanced information analysis skills, good drafting skills;
* Ability to write sensitive policy-relevant analyses, to study alternative options and suggest recommendations;
* Experience of running projects and working in an international context;
* Previous experience of work with state services (Customs or Revenue Management Agency or equivalent) in FSU or transition countries will be in asset;
* Ability to work in international team;
* Excellent fluency (both oral and written) in the English.
* Knowledge of Russian and/or Romanian is an asset.

6.2 Office accommodation
The partner services shall make provision for appropriate office accommodation, with Internet access, for appropriate periods of the project.

6.3 Facilities to be provided by the Consultant
The Consultant has to provide adequate equipment that allows him to fully implement this assignment. This includes, in particular, a personal computer with appropriate software; camera etc.

6.4 Equipment
No equipment is to be purchased on behalf of the Contracting Authority as part of this service contract or transferred to the Contracting Authority at the end of this contract. Any equipment related to this contract that is to be acquired by the beneficiary country must be purchased by means of a separate supply tender procedure.

6.5 Transportation
The Consultant is expected to arrange his/her transportation independently. EUBAM, whenever possible, will assist the Consultant in arranging the transport means, however all related expenditure shall be borne by the Consultant.

6.6 Incidental expenditure
The provision for incidental expenditure covers the eligible incidental expenditure incurred under this contract. It cannot be used by the Consultant for costs that should be covered by the Consultant as part of its fee rates, as defined above. The provisions in the General Conditions govern its use. It covers: Locally incurred operational costs directly related to project execution, e.g. car hire for visits by the Consultant to sites and facilities within the geographical area of the project to assess suitability, including, if required, visits to MD CS facilities where official transport is unavailable.

7. REPORTS

7.1 Reporting requirements

The Consultant has to submit an inception report and regular updates to EUBAM senior management through Customs Standards and Training Coordinator as follows:

* An initial Project Inception Report (PIR) — within 5 days of the commencement date. The Inception Report shall define the aims, objectives and methodology of the project and will demonstrate a clear understanding of the development needs of the organisation at the strategic level and a clear and well defined plan showing how objectives are to be achieved and
* A Final Report showing achievements and work done — this should clearly show what has been achieved against project expectations and should include recommendations for future work that ought to be done in this sector, including recommendations for further donor assistance.

7.2 Submission and approval of progress reports
The working language of the project shall be English. All reports and formal communications relating to the project shall be in the English language. Translation from English to other languages shall be used where operationally necessary or advantageous.

All reports shall in the first instance be submitted to the Programme Manager designated by the Contracting Authority. The EUBAM Customs Training and Standards Coordinator is responsible for approving the project reports.

All reports shall be dated and signed by the Consultant.

All reports shall be submitted to the Customs Standards and Training Coordinator in electronic form (MS Word format) and in two hard copies.

No report or document (PIR, PFR, PPR, etc) should be published or distributed to third parties without the approval of the Contracting Authority.

8. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

8.1 Definition of indicators

At a point no more than three (3) months from project deployment the Consultant will have provided written plans and guides, training and advice to the Beneficiaries, as well as recommendations for further training and possible procurement of equipment in the following key areas: -

* Seminars delivered to at least twelve persons in total from both organisations in the topic of trade facilitation and the implementation of such measures in line with EU, WTO, WCO and other treaty requirements.
* A seminar (can be as part of the above seminar) in the development of MoU with trade organisations and large concerns — including engaging with businesses and the creation of agreements and MoU.
* A draft plan for the development of a strategy for the phased implementation of effective trade facilitation strategy in the organisations — including how the strategy created, implemented and measured and how the business community will be engaged in the process.

8.1 Special requirements
None

9. ACRONYMS
UA SCS Ukraine State Customs Service
MD CS Moldova Customs Service
UA BGS Ukraine State Border Guard Service
UA CS Ukraine State Customs Service
EU European Union
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
EUBAM European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine
10. HOW TO APPLY
Applications (most recent CV and cover letter) in English language with the reference to this position are to be submitted to the e-mail addresses: vacancies@eubam.org and/or vacancies-bam@undp.org. Applicants are strongly advised to match their qualifications against the post requirements before submitting applications. Please indicate "Senior Trade Facilitation Expert (Customs)" in the subject line of your message. Indication of consultancy and/or any other related fees are mandatory requirement. The deadline for submission of applications is 7 March 2008.