National WTO TFA Specialist (Art 7.7)

USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program
SCOPE OF WORK
Support implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)

Proposed Personnel:           Name TBD,

                                           National WTO TFA Specialist

Period of Performance:       o/a August 10 – September 25, 2022

Level of Effort:                    20 days (estimated)

Origin/Destination:              Hanoi, Vietnam

Travel Dates:                        A field trip (2-3 days)

Activity No.:                         FY2021 Activity 1.4 – Administration of WTO TFA implementation. Detailed assessment of the implementation level of Article 7.7 Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators [Sub- activities 1.4.2]

MEL indicator(s):                 EG 2_1-1 and CLBD 9

Project Background:

The USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program is a five-year project that aims to support the adoption and implementation of a more risk-based approach to customs and specialized inspection institutions in Vietnam. The program will work with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to strengthen the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) of Vietnam and its Working Groups; streamline border clearance procedures (including specialized inspection implemented by other line ministries and agencies); harmonize the implementation of risk-based approaches between the national and provincial levels; train national and provincial customs officers and staff from other ministries on risk management; and facilitate dialogue between customs and business and between stakeholders in Hanoi and in the provinces.

Activity Background

Objective: The overall aim is to provide assessment and recommend solutions for Vietnam to achieve full implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Article 7.7 7 Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators.

Background: Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded the negotiations on a Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force in February 2017 after two-thirds of WTO members completed their ratification process. Vietnam had notified the WTO of acceptance of the Protocol of Amendment and ratification of the TFA on 15 December 2015. Vietnam has undertaken a self-assessment of the articles or measures of the WTO TFA identifying which are Category ‘A’ (measures that will be implemented by the time the TFA enters into force); Category ‘B’ (measures that will be implemented after a transitional period following entry into force of the TFA); and Category ‘C’ (measures that will be implemented on a date after a transitional period following entry into force of the TFA and requiring the acquisition of assistance and support for capacity building). The Government of Vietnam (GVN) subsequently identified 14 measures as Category ‘B’ and 9 measures as Category ‘C’.

In 2020 the Program conducted a study and issued a Report on Vietnam’s Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The Report provided an assessment on Vietnam’s current status and situation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) measures identified as Category A, B and C, and recommendations of acceptance, validation and further action for full implementation and timeline for full implementation of the Agreement against notifications sent to the WTO.

Under this Scope of Work, the Program is seeking a national WTO TFA Specialist to conduct a final conclusion on whether Vietnam could achieve full implementation by the 31 December 2023 deadline of the Agreement’s Article 7.7 Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators. His/her final report should identify what are the gaps between the current situation and full implementation, and solutions to achieve the full implementation of the Agreement’s Article 7.7.  

Tasks and Responsibilities

The national WTO TFA specialist will be responsible for providing a report on Vietnam’s readiness to fully implement WTO TFA Article 7.7 Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators. In order to fulfill the tasks and responsibilities, he/she will:

  1. To study, review and evaluate the current status of Vietnam’s legal framework related to trade facilitation for Authorized Operators as recommended by the TF/WTO Agreement; specify the shortcomings, inadequacies, and legal problems that need to be elaborated, amended and supplemented;
  2. To study and evaluate the actual implementation of current regulations on trade facilitation for Authorized Operators; clearly indicate the shortcomings, inadequacies and problems in the implementation process that need to be overcome.
  3. On the basis of research, analysis and assessment of the current situation from the above activities, the Specialist performs the following tasks:
    • Develop a report assessing the current status of the legal framework and the process of implementing current regulations on trade facilitation for Authorized Operators as recommended by the TF/WTO Agreement. The report clearly states the advantages, limitations, inadequacies and causes (gaps) in this commitment;
    • Sharing the best practices of some other countries in the world on trade facilitation for Authorized Operators as recommended by the TF/WTO Agreement;
    • Recommend and propose possible solutions and implementation roadmap; propose amendments and supplements to legal documents and guiding documents related to trade facilitation for Authorized Operators as recommended by the TF/WTO Agreement;

    The Specialist’s report will be sent for consultation with stakeholders (Authorized Operator, business associations, customs authorities).

  4. Finalize the final report

Deliverables

  • An agreed Workplan for the activities
  • The final report includes all the tasks performed and the results of consultation with the stakeholders

Qualifications

  • Minimum 10 years of experience coordinating or working with line ministries and/or customs in Vietnam at central or provincial level;
  • Proven experience of working with, or practical knowledge of, implementing the WTO TFA;
  • Good understanding of the WTO and WCO instruments such as the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC);
  • Background knowledge and understanding of the current status of Vietnam as related to trade facilitation measures and implementation of the WTO TFA;
  • Proficient in word processing, spreadsheets and office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Applications;
  • Good communicator with fluency in Vietnamese and with strong written, oral and presentation skills;
  • English language skills preferred; and
  • Ability to travel within Vietnam.

Reporting

The national WTO TFA specialist will report to Mr. Claudio Dordi, Chief of Party ([email protected])  and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha, the Program’s Trade and National Trade Facilitation Committee Expert ([email protected]).

How to apply:

Applications should be sent no later than August 5, 2022 to email [email protected]

Applications should include:

  1. Cover letter (no longer than 1 page)
  2. CVs (see attached template); 
  3. Updated USAID 1420 form (see attached template)
  4. Cost proposal (See attached template)
Job Details
Organisation Name: 
Nathan
Location: 
Hanoi
Application Deadline: 
Fri, 2022-08-05