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Support to Hub & Spokes project team to deliver its day to day work priorities

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Support to Hub & Spokes project team to deliver its day to day work priorities and medium to long term commitments to the design & implementation of Hub & Spokes II programme

Reference: SGO/POCWG/006
Location: UK / Home Country
Duration: 120 person days over 32 weeks
Closing Date: 8 Dec 2011

Background

The Hub & Spokes project aims to promote the effective participation of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in international trade negotiations and to strengthen their capacity to formulate, negotiate and implement trade policies. Participating in international trade is vital to overall development strategies in ACP countries. In this regard, the Hub & Spokes project seeks to enhance the ACP’s integration into the world economy and contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction in these countries.

The first phase of the project spanning December 2004-December 2010 concluded on December 31, 2010 and it is currently navigating a transitional period of 18 months to 30 June 2012. The transition period presents the Commonwealth Secretariat with an opportunity to take stock of its approach to implementation, mobilise funding and improve the way it supports trade capacity development needs of ACP countries.

The 2004-2010 project performance report provides some useful guidance and recommendations for action during the transition period. These include:

  • increasing RTPA and TPA deployment levels;
  • reviewing, streamlining and simplifying project reporting and documentation of field activities;
  • increasing focus on human and institutional trade capacity building across ACP regions;
  • designing and preparing region-specific hub & spokes II programmes in consultation with project partners;
  • preparing and implementing a hub & spokes ‘communication and advocacy strategy’;
  • reviewing terms of employment for RTPAs and TPAs and appropriate monitoring mechanisms for field activities; and
  • developing a new logical framework matrix (LFM) for a successor programme.

Purpose of Consultancy

The management team acted earlier this year to increase deployment levels of RTPAs and TPAs and is seeking to deliver on remaining key action areas over the transition period milestone. The purpose of the consultancy therefore is to support the project management team to deliver day-to-day priority activities and its medium term commitments of designing and implementing a Hub & Spokes II programme.

Scope of Work:

The Consultant is required to support the management team to:

  • Design & prepare up to six (6) Hub & Spokes II region-specific programmes (including action & implementation plans) in partnership with national and regional partners;
  • Develop and implement a Hub & Spokes Communication and Advocacy Strategy so as to increase recognition and awareness of the Project’s achievements and successes in ACP regions;
  • Develop improved project reporting frameworks;
  • Develop new logical framework matrix (LFM) for implementation from July 2012.
  • Establish Hub & Spokes II programme implementation framework, including contribution grant agreement and internal governance and reporting structures;
  • Host relevant workshops and seminars;
  • Prepare and publish project reports, associated data and qualitative analysis;
  • Develop and publish project case studies highlighting success stories and lessons learned;
  • Manage project online forum and provide wider support to exchange of technical experiences and trade knowledge across the Hub & Spokes Network;
  • Perform other relevant duties and support roles as agreed with the Project Manager.

Implementation Arrangements:

The consultant will be responsible to the Head of Office, DSG (RS), Secretary-General’s Office, Commonwealth Secretariat or his nominee. He/she will report to the Project Manager, Hub & Spokes project for the duration of this consultancy on the day-to-day deliverables as well as the delivery of regional programmes.

Consultant’s Qualifications:

  • Post graduate qualifications in Economics, International Trade or related discipline.
  • Minimum of 10 years experience in International trade.
  • Knowledge of trade policy in ACP countries would be desirable.

Download the Terms of Reference

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