REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: NAO Draft Policy

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Finalisation of the National Policy and Action Plan for the Stimulation and Expansion of Manufacturing in the Commonwealth of Dominica

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, represented by the National Authorising Officer for the European Development Fund, is seeking to finalise the Draft Policy for the Stimulation and Expansion of Manufacturing to address, among other things, (i) the establishment of competitive tax rates which will be conducive for the expansion of locally established manufacturing operations and also critical for attracting Foreign Direct Investments; (ii) the need for new legislation (Fiscal Incentives Act, 1973), especially as it relates to the stimulation of growth in the manufacturing sector; (iii) specific recommendations in support of industrialisation, particularly through the development of geothermal energy, given the Government’s substantial investment into geothermal energy exploration and development with the expectation that it will lead to the expansion of manufacturing investments; (iv) market targeting; and (v) support from key bilateral partners.

The policy will also seek to address difficulties with regards to facilitating investments into the manufacturing sector.

Overall objective

The overall objective of the contract will be to create the appropriate policy environment, which will lead to the development of a flourishing manufacturing sector and to Dominica becoming a sub regional centre for manufacturing in the OECS region.

Purpose

The purposes of this contract are as follows:

• Revision, update and finalisation of the National Policy for the Manufacturing Sector in the Commonwealth of Dominica which takes into account the broad legal and regulatory framework of Dominica, as well as the state and sustainability of the Manufacturing sector; and is the official position of the country’s government and its relevant public and private stakeholders.
• Development of the Action Plan for the Stimulation and Expansion of the Manufacturing Sector in the Commonwealth of Dominica, which is completed in a manner that delineates actions with related timelines, priority rating, responsible agencies, milestones and estimated costs to effectively implement the objectives of the National Policy for the Manufacturing Sector.

Specific work

• Review of Draft Policy for the Stimulation and Expansion of Manufacturing and Inception Report.
• Obtain information with regards to difficulties currently being experienced by manufacturers and their perspectives with regards to solutions to these difficulties. The expert will also meet public sector stakeholders to be informed of the Government’s vision for this sector, particularly in light of its ongoing investment in the development of geothermal energy production, and the need for policy to complement this development undertaking.
• Conduct required research further to specific proposals, issues and items identified in the draft and emanating from discussions with stakeholders. Expert should complete required aforementioned research and make required edits or additions to develop a first Draft Policy and Action Plan For the Stimulation and Expansion of Manufacturing draft document no longer that six weeks (6) from date of commencement of contract.
• Conduct a consultation to present first Draft Policy and Action Plan for the Stimulation and Expansion of Manufacturing to key stakeholders. Key participants to the workshop will include Invest Dominica Authority, members of Dominica Manufacturers Association, other private sector business organisations, public sector officials including the National Authorising Officer, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Employment, Trade, Industry and Diaspora Affairs and the Dominica Bureau of Standards. The Expert should hold consultation with stakeholders no later than seven (7) weeks from the date of commencement of contract.
• Submission of final draft and report no longer than seven (7) weeks from the date of commencement of the contract.
• Through the Honourable Minister for Trade, presentation of Final Draft and Action Plan for the Stimulation and Expansion of Manufacturing to the Cabinet. Invest Dominica Authority and Expert should present final draft to Cabinet no longer than seven (7) weeks from the date of commencement of the contract.
• Consultant should submit final document, which takes into consideration comments and feedback from the Cabinet of Ministers no longer than eight (8) weeks from the date of commencement of the contract.

Project management

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Employment, Trade, Industry and Diaspora Affairs will be responsible for managing the contract on behalf of the National Authorising Officer for the European Development Fund.

The Invest Dominica Authority will direct and supervise the work of the expert and will have overall oversight of all activities and facilitate coordination with local entities and partners to ensure full participation and attendance at the consultations.

Key expert

Civil servants and other staff of the public administration of the partner country, or of international/regional organisations based in the country, shall only be approved to work as the expert if well justified. The justification should be submitted with the Expression of Interest and shall include information on the added value the expert will bring as well as proof that the expert is seconded or on personal leave.

The implementation of this project will be entrusted to the expert who will have full responsibility for providing obtaining other technical, legal support required, backstopping and support staff needed to ensure satisfactory implementation of the project activities. The profile of the key expert for this contract is as follows:

Qualifications and skills

• Advanced University degree in Finance, Economics, International Trade Law, Business Administration, or equivalent
• Fluent in English (written, spoken, understanding), French will be an asset.

General professional experience

• A minimum of 5 years and preferably more than 10 years of relevant professional experience on trade policy, economic development and a track record of working with similar stakeholders in the last three 3 years.
• Long and significant exposure to ACP issues (political, economic and social) and more specifically to those of the African or Caribbean region.
• Significant and broad experience in private sector development issues, particularly in the business environment, policy and strategy and planning.
• Demonstrated skills regarding the organisation, animation of seminars/workshops on access to funding matters notably for non-technical audience.
• Experience of working with various stakeholders in a multi-cultural context.

Specific professional experience

Working experience in Caribbean on several of the following areas:

• Must have in-depth knowledge of enabling environment in the Eastern Caribbean.
• Good knowledge of policy development and implementation in the Eastern Caribbean.
• Must have experience with EU development assistance programmes.
• Expert must be able to conduct consultations with private and public sector stakeholders, and deliver presentations to government officials.

The intended start date is 1^st November 2014, at the latest, and the period of implementation of the contract will be 2 (two) months from this date.

The Expert will be selected in accordance with the Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for European Union External Actions.

Expressions of Interest (with requisite Curriculum Vitae and proof of nationality) must be delivered in a written form to the address below by 4:00pm on Friday, 19^th September 2014:

Ms. Carleen Roberts
National Authorising Officer/EDF
3^rd Floor, Financial Centre
Kennedy Avenue
P.O. Box 1102
Roseau
COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel.: 767 448 2424