Afghanistan Legal Specialist Quarantines International

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

Afghanistan Improving Agricultural Inputs Delivery System (IAIDS) project

International Position

Legal Specialist Quarantines

Country: Afghanistan Project Id: P120397 Project Name: AF: Improving Agric. Inputs Delivery System (IAIDS) Loan Info.: TF 99595 Country: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Name of the project: Improving Agriculture Input Delivery System (IAIDS) Consulting Services: Consultant for developing Legal framework for Quarantine development Project ID: P120397 Grant No. TF099595 REOI No: MAIL/IAIDS/826

Expression of Interest

The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) intends to finance the assignment described below under ARTF Grant No: TF099595, administered by The World Bank.

Project Background

Building on the Agriculture Master Plan, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoA) in collaboration with its development partners has defined a number of appropriate priorities for agricultural investments and policies under the National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF). In order to increase farmers’ incomes and improve the food security situation, the GoA is giving foremost attention to strengthening of the agricultural production base. In this respect the government has asked the World Bank for assistance in strengthening agricultural input supply systems. Specifically, the GoA has requested the World Bank for assistance in the preparation of the Improving Agricultural Inputs Delivery System (IAIDS) project that will consist of the following four components: i) Improve seed production and certification; ii) Establish infrastructure and policies regarding quality control and safe use of fertilizers and agrochemicals; iii) Improve input delivery systems; iv) Establish efficient project management, implementation and coordination mechanisms.

The development objective of IAIDS project is to increase adoption of improved crop production technologies through expanding development of certified seeds and improving access to agricultural inputs of reliable quality. Details of the project components and activities included in each component summarized below:

Component A: Improved Seed Production and Certification. This component will assist the GoA in building a sustainable seed production system that produces the required quantities of seed of the varieties that are needed and that is economically and commercially viable. Given that wheat is Afghanistan’s main staple crop, the emphasis in this component will be on wheat seeds, but the needs and possibilities to diversify towards other crops (vegetables, commercial and other food crops) will be explored and given attention as well. The program will strengthen all elements of the seed production system from variety research to the production of certified seed, including seed quality and certification and distribution and promotion of the rational use by farmers of the improved seed, as well as assist in the affirmation and establishment of a legal and regulatory framework. It will build on the existing institutional system, while developing local capacity for transitioning to national systems with minimal external support.

Component B: Quarantine Networks and Quality Control of Agro-chemicals. This component will support the completion and operationalization of the institutional and regulatory framework for quality and safety standards of fertilizers and other agro- chemicals, including an input certification system. A quality verification system supported by mobile phone applications will be explored to support checks by farmers and traders. The first phase of the project will also equip a quality control laboratory for agrochemicals; and provide capacity building in the areas of laboratory testing of agrochemicals and safe handling and application of agrochemicals for traders, MAIL extension workers, and farmers. The second phase of the project will support expansion of quality control laboratories for fertilizers and agro-chemicals to entry points for imports.

Component C: Improved and Expanded Delivery Systems. This component will start with a series of survey-based studies to get a better handle on the functioning of the certified seed production chain, farm-level input use and input distribution systems. The results of the studies will be used to develop an action plan for investments required to improve input delivery to farmers and better tailor supply to demand. The surveys will be followed by the operationalization of the action plan. This may include strengthening and expanding Ag Depot and Farm Service Center programs; piloting creation of alternative forms of input delivery systems with farmer groups, CDCs etc; and education and extension programs to demonstrate selected input technology packages as well as farm machinery and equipment.

Component D: Project Implementation and Management. The project will be implemented by MAIL. The following main technical Directorates from the MAIL side will be involved in the preparation and implementation of the proposed project: (i) for Component A (Improved Seed Production and Certification): Improved Seeds Enterprise (ISE); (ii) for Component B (Quarantine Networks and Quality Control for Agro-chemicals); Plant Protection Directorate (PPD) and Quality Control Directorate (QCD); (iii) for Component C (Improve and Expand Input Delivery System): QCD and Private Sector Directorate (PSD); and (iv) for Component D: (Project Management, Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation): General Directorate for Programs (GDP).

The project will start with a 9-month preparation phase for which it is seeking a national legal specialist for quarantines.

Scope of Work The National Legal Specialist (Quarantine) will work in close collaboration with the Project Team under the direct supervision of the Project Director, IAIDS project and Quarantine Specialist (Int’l), and closely interact with the Director of Policy Analysis and Legal Advisory Directorate (PALAD) and Director of the Plant Protection & Quarantine Directorate (PPQD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and other relevant officials of the two directorates. The Consultant will focus on reviewing and updating the Quarantine Law, drafting of regulations, rules and procedures and their submission to the proper authorities for putting a quarantine regulatory framework in place; and assess the needs encompassing laboratory, equipment, accessories, chemical reagents, manpower and their capacity development. The cConsultant will report to the Project Director and the Quarantine Specialist (Int’l).

The Consultant should study all relevant documents including application for PPF grant, World Bank Operational Policies, and Afghanistan’s Environmental Law and Regulations.

Specific Responsibilities The National Legal Specialist (Quarantine) will perform, among others, the following specific tasks: • Assist the Quarantine Specialist (Int’l) in all regulatory aspects of quarantine; • Along with the Quarantine Specialist (Int’l) properly interact with the Director, PALAD and Director, PPQD for assessing the exact status of the Quarantine Law; • Collect q copy of the Quarantine Law including the comments of PALAD; • Study the steps and actions involved in the approval processes of the Quarantine Law and its commensurate regulations, rules and procedures; • Update the Quarantine Law based on comments from PALAD and expedite its submission to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ); • With the pretention that the Quarantine Law will be approved and along with the Quarantine Specialist (Int’l), identify the relevant regulations, rules and/or procedures necessary for enactment of a quarantine and phytosanitary certification system and draft all of them for their approval and enactment by the appropriate authority/MAIL; • Along with the Quarantine Specialist (Int’l) interact with the Director, PPQD and his relevant staff for assessing manpower requirements for introducing a quarantine and phytosanitary certification system and insect pests’ and diseases’ diagnostic services along with their capacity development requirements; • Assist the Quarantine Specialist (Int’l) in preparing a complete profile of requirements including all above information for the respective new facilities to facilitate their procurement after review by the mission.

Qualifications For the position of Legal Specialist (Quarantine) the following qualifications are required: • An advanced degree in Law from a reputable university; • Proven minimum 8 years experience in the Legal Framework; • Experience in quarantine law is an asset; • Proven recent experience of at least 3 similar consultancies (quarantine law and regulations/procedures drafting); • Proven recent track record of working in a coherent team, including a minimum of five years experience of working in Afghanistan; • Experience of working in similar WB projects will be considered as an asset; • Excellent conversance of Afghan Laws, regulations, rules, procedures; • Conversance with WB rules and procedures; • Evidence of relevant experience in the form of reports of similar consultancy assignment is desirable; • Fluency in DARI/Pashto and English is essential; • Proven communications and reporting skills; • Prepared to work in hardship environment.

Outputs The outputs will include, but not be limited to, the following: A. Reviewed and updated Quarantine Law suitable for submission to the MoJ. B. Regulations, rules, procedures and forms consistent with the Quarantine Law necessary for enactment of a quarantine and phytosanitary certification system, and issuing of phytosanitary certificates for exportable products through appropriate diagnosis.
C. Complete profile of requirements including a central and regional insect pests & diseases diagnostic laboratories and quarantine laboratories at border points; their equipment and accessories including their specifications and prices for introducing the quarantine and phytosanitary certification system and insect pests’ and diseases’ diagnostic services - including capacity development of required manpower.

Duration of Consultancy: 3 months spread over two visits in the 9 month project preparation period

 آدرس: جمال مینه، چها راهی کارته سخی كابل-افغانستان، تیلفون : 0202500315 (93+)، آدرس انترنت: www.mail.gov.af    صفحه 1 

How to apply:

HR Department Contracted Staff Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Our Address is: Kabul University Road, Kabul, Afghanistan

Note: *No resume will be taken under consideration without having a cover letter. *Only selected candidates will be called for interviews. vacancies@mail.gov.af Please specify the job title and vacancy number in your cover letter.