Regional Project Manager

Transcription

1 VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT WCO - EAC Customs Modernization Project Regional Project Manager in the East African Community Introduction World Customs Organization The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization, established in 1952, and focused on Customs matters. With its worldwide membership, the WCO is the voice of the global Customs community. It is particularly noted for its work in areas covering the development of global standards, the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures, trade supply chain security, the facilitation of international trade, the enhancement of Customs enforcement and compliance activities, anti-counterfeiting and piracy initiatives, public-private partnerships, integrity promotion and sustainable global Customs capacity building programs. The WCO also maintains the international Harmonized System goods nomenclature and administers the technical aspects of the World Trade Organization s Agreements on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin. The WCO strives to play a central role in supporting its Members with reform and modernization. It is part of its core mandate and is structured specifically for that task with a Capacity Building Directorate in the WCO Secretariat. The result is a more comprehensive, needs-driven and focused approach often with funding from different donors to enable the projects. The Customs Capacity Building Strategy is aimed at supporting WCO Members to develop or acquire the skills, competencies, tools, processes, and resources needed to improve the capacity of the administration to carry out its allotted functions and achieve its objectives. East African Community The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprised of the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Burundi with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The EAC integration agenda encompasses economic, social and political pillars. The Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Customs Union was concluded in March 2004 and the EAC Customs Union commenced operations in January The attainment of the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union with a functional Single Customs Territory where goods will be assessed and cleared at the first point of entry requires the coopera-

2 tion, collaboration and participation of the private sector. The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme is critical to creating the necessary culture and operational procedures that not only facilitates trade but functions as one of the pillars of the Single Customs Territory. Project Overview Sweden and the WCO have collaborated in a Customs development project in the East African Community (EAC) since 2008 and significant progress has been achieved with the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs in the region. The project between Sweden and WCO was recently renewed. The overall objective of the project is as follows: Customs administrations in the EAC-region are better prepared to contribute to enhanced regional integration, trade facilitation, performance and improved market access The outputs of the project are: Customs procedures and practices streamlined through establishment of a regional Customs environment; Customs to business relationships improved through the establishment of a sound trade partnership dialogue; and Customs to other Cross Border Regulatory Agencies (CBRA s) relationships improved through the establishment of a sound partnership dialogue. The objective and outputs above have been translated into 4 key areas: Regional AEO-scheme Information and communication technology Risk Management and Enforcement Mutual Recognition. For the project a Logical framework and an action plan for Year 1 have already been developed and approved by the donor, Sweden. Responsibilities Working with the Directorate of Customs in the East African Community (Specifically the Director of Customs) and reporting to the WCO Headquarters (primarily to the WCO EAC Project Director, the WCO- Sweden Programme Director and the Director Capacity Building) in Brussels, the Regional Project Manager will have oversight responsibility to plan, direct and monitor the project from inception to phase out. The project will further be guided by a Steering Committee consisting of the Heads of Customs, the WCO, the EAC-Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders. He / She will be accountable for expected project results and will perform the usual project management duties, including: Provide leadership and management of the project from beginning to end; Oversee the delivery of all project activities; Engage all project stakeholders to ensure continued support for implementation;

3 Identify and engage project experts and staff; Communicate with involved experts, National Project Managers, Project Steering Committee and other relevant parties, for instance other donors; Develop annual action plans with strong relation to the Logical framework and Results Based Management (RBM) principles; Develop a project communication strategy and ensure effective project visibility; Forecast and monitor project expenditures and develop financial reports; Monitor project risks and develop mitigation strategies; Monitor and evaluate project progress and prepare progress reports accordingly; Provide the Steering Committee, the WCO and Director of Customs EAC with necessary information and reports in a timely manner with high quality; Be accountable for project progress and project expenditures; Establish efficient project implementation through close collaboration with the National Project Managers; Link the project and liaise the with other ongoing initiatives on the implementation of the Single Customs Territory; Strengthen the regional Project Management capacities; and Other project related duties. All project related documentation must be approved either by the WCO Secretariat jointly with the EAC Directorate of Customs and/or the Steering Committee. Essential qualifications Education University degree in a relevant field of study or an equivalent combination of education, skills and experience; A Masters degree in Economics, Business management, Trade, law, statistics, IT or a related field will be an added advantage Experience Vast experience in project management in the context of capacity building and international development. Preference may be given to candidates with such experience in the field of institutional reform, Customs reform, technical assistance related to international trade or change management; Experience in managing financial and human resources; Experience in managing strategic relationships and engaging various stakeholders from private and public sectors, preferably in the international development context; Be familiar with the EAC-region, its functions and policies; and Preference may be given to candidates with relevant experience from a Customs administration. It will be an advantage if the candidate has experience in collaborating with the EAC Secretariat. Skills

4 Ability to communicate in English; Strong written and oral communication skills; Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team; Ability to work in an international environment; Ability to manage multiple activities and priorities simultaneously; and Ability to use common administrative software (MS Office, internet etc). Conditions Two (2) years contract with possibility of renewal up to a maximum total duration of five (5) years based on performance and available funding; Probationary period: 3 months Reports directly to the WCO EAC Project Director, the WCO-Sweden Programme Director and the WCO Director Capacity Building; Be located in the EAC Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania Have the status as a WCO Technical Attaché; Receive administrative and accounting support from the EAC Secretariat; Follow the rules for procurement as set out in the contract between Sweden and the WCO; and Follow rules, guidance and recommendations provided by the WCO. Other information The project is scheduled to run until December Duty Location If the Project Manager is not at the time of recruitment living in Tanzania, he or she is entitled to a relocation fee that will be equal to one month salary; The Project Manager will be subject to semi-annual evaluations undertaken by the WCO Secretariat in conjunction with the EAC Secretariat; and EAC Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania, with frequent visits to other states in the EAC-region but also outside the region. Performing of duties The RPM shall be directed and supervised in her/his work by the WCO. He/She will also work in close cooperation with the Director of Customs at EAC. He/she shall not seek or accept any instructions in connection with the exercise of his/her functions from any government or any authority other than the WCO or the Director of Customs at EAC. Further details are outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR) and can be provided upon request.

5 Remuneration Remuneration will be determined depending on the relevant experience of the applicant and be considered as a full compensation including costs to be incurred by the RPM him/herself for his/her health insurance and pension arrangement. Pursuant to the Convention establishing a Custom Co-operation Council (CCC), the remuneration will be exempt from the income tax. The RPM remains solely responsible for any process entered into with any competent tax authorities to gain recognition for this exemption. Application The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how he/she meets each of the education and experience requirements. Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than 04 July 2014, 17:00 PM CET, including a cover letter (1 page max) and a curriculum vitae (5 pages max) in English to: World Customs Organization Administration and Personnel Section Rue du Marché, 30 B-1210 Brussels, Belgium By to: wco.sidaprogramme@wcoomd.org The subject of the candidate s application message must read as follows: WCO EAC Project Regional Project Manager Application LAST NAME / FIRST NAME of Candidate The WCO thanks all interested applicants, however only those short-listed for an interview will be contacted.