Trade Facilitation and Export Development Technical Advisor- Short Term Consultancy

Background and Context

The USAID/Lebanon Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Activity facilitates the export of Lebanese goods and services to generate foreign exchange through investments and Business and Investment Enabling Environment (BIEE) reforms that simultaneously promote job creation, income generation and improved livelihoods throughout the country.

TIF has three objectives:

1) Increased exports of Lebanese goods and services

2) Investment facilitation leading to increased domestic investment, and

3) Improved business and investment enabling environment.

These objectives cover four selected sectors:

1) Agro-Food Processing

2) Manufacturing

3) Knowledge Economy and Services

4) Tourism and Hospitality

Under its Objective 3, TIF  is seeking to hire the services of a Trade Facilitation and Export Development Technical Advisor to support in conducting a comprehensive research and analysis on Lebanon’s trade facilitation and export. The technical advisor will assume a key role in assessing the Port of Beirut activities and devising recommendations for improvements.

Tasks

The tasks of the Trade Facilitation and Export Development Technical Advisor will be undertaken under the supervision of TIF BIEE Lead.

• Conduct comprehensive research on trade in Lebanon and suggest areas for reforms.
• Advise TIF and its partners on matters related to trade and investment, supporting capacity building on policy reform.
• Enhance TIF’s and its partners understanding of the current trade/investment legal framework, gaps, inconsistencies, etc. – and formulate recommendations for legal and regulatory reform.
• Advise on interventions related to trade and investment as specified by the BIEE team.
• Create tools, as necessary, to measure and assess progress on trade and investment throughout the duration of the assignment.
• Identify and meet with relevant stakeholders to solicit their feedback for validation on findings and recommendations as needed. This might include facilitating specific workshops (i.e., roundtables, focus groups or others).
• Produce papers on Port of Beirut addressing important topics as agreed upon with and assigned by the TIF BIEE team.
• Other tasks as needed. 

 Location of Assignment

The STTA may work remotely (but in Lebanon) with periodical meetings held with TIF BIEE team at TIF’s office in Sin El Fil.  Local travel across Lebanon for certain tasks may be required.

Level of Effort and Period of Performance

The period of performance is expected to extend from April 2023 to July 2023 with possibility for renewal. The  Trade Facilitation and Export Development Technical Advisor will resume a total of 60 days during the period of this assignment.  

Deliverables

The list below is illustrative and non-exhaustive. The deliverables are relevant to the period of performance. More deliverables may be requested throughout this period:

• Weekly update on progress of research and tasks related to the overall assignment.
• List of potential stakeholders to meet or engage with throughout the period of the assignment.
• Brief meeting minutes held with a specific stakeholder(s).
• A list of suggested topics/issues specific to Port of Beirut issues during the period of performance.
• Produce 4 thorough papers on Port of Beirut each addressing an urgent priority.

Reporting and Supervision

The Trade Facilitation and Export Development Technical Advisor will take direction from  the BIEE Lead to implement each task. To accomplish these tasks, coordination with TIF must be maintained throughout the whole period of execution.  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or MS degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, law, political science, or another relevant field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in economics, public policy, research, or related field.
• Extensive knowledge of the Lebanese context explicitly its political and economic axes and connections with multi key stakeholders relevant to TIF’s sectors and field of operations.
• Demonstrated professional experience in desk and field research with strong analytical skills, data collection, development of studies and/or subject matter reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to liaise with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong communication skills – both written and oral – in English and Arabic.