Assignment Title: Recruitment of a Senior Consultant to Strengthen the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Ghana.
- Introduction
The Ministry of Finance has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Ghana Economic Transformation Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The Project will be implemented through four Components, namely:
- Enabling Investments;
- Crowding-in investments;
- Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Growth; and
- Project Management and Evaluation.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, thus paving the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African Customs Union. Ghana, being a signatory to the Agreement, the Government seeks to leverage the opportunities that AfCFTA presents to make the country the trade hub of Africa. Achieving this requires effective stakeholder management and capacity building to harness the benefits of the Agreement.
The Government has put in place various initiatives and institutional frameworks to enhance the competitiveness of the Ghanaian private sector in harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA. As part of this process, a National AfCFTA Coordination Office (NCO) was established in March 2020. Furthermore, a “National Policy Framework and Action Plan (NPFAP) for Boosting Trade with Africa” has also been launched to guide the implementation of the Government’s vision for maximizing the potential benefits of AfCFTA, focusing on the private sector as the driver of trade-led economic transformation.
The MoTI-NCO/GETP, therefore, is seeking the services of an expert with the requisite qualifications, experience, and competencies to support the coordination of the National AfCFTA Policy Framework and Action Plan implementation.
- Objectives of the Assignment
The specific objective is to design and implement a comprehensive stakeholder and capacity-building program that will support the successful implementation of AfCFTA in Ghana.
- Scope of the Assignment
The consultant will, in close consultation with other NCO experts, provide technical services for strengthening the engagement, coordination, facilitation, and operational capacity of the NCO and key stakeholder organizations involved in the implementation of AfCFTA. This will create and leverage value for targeted beneficiaries, private sector organizations and non-governmental stakeholders, among others.
Specifically, the Consultant will undertake the following tasks:
A. Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping
- Identify and conduct a thorough analysis of stakeholders to categorize interests, influence, and impact on the AfCFTA implementation;
- Develop a stakeholder map highlighting relationships and interdependencies; etc.
B. Capacity Building Needs Assessment
- Assess the capacity-building needs of key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations in respect of their role in supporting/facilitating trading under the AfCFTA;
- Identify knowledge gaps, skills deficiencies, and institutional weaknesses that may hinder the implementation of AfCFTA; etc.
C. Stakeholder Management Strategy
- Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy that includes communication tools & templates plan, key engagement activities, and feedback mechanisms.
- Design tools and templates for stakeholder engagement and feedback (e.g., surveys, focus group discussions, workshops). etc.
D. Capacity Building Program Design
- Develop a comprehensive Capacity Building Action Plan for AfCFTA implementation in Ghana tailored to the needs of different stakeholder groups, including training, and technical assistance.
- Liaise with other NCO advisors and facilitate the development of appropriate training materials, manuals, and guides on AfCFTA implementation; etc.
E. Implementation of Capacity Building Activities
- Implement and/or facilitate implementation of the Capacity Building Action Plan, including organizing and conducting training sessions, workshops, seminars, training, and other capacity-building services for different stakeholder groups
- Provide ongoing technical support and advisory to trade-support institutions and other stakeholders that play key roles in the implementation of AfCFTA; etc.
- Qualifications and Experience
The Senior Consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience;
- Must hold at least a Master’s degree in economics, business administration, science, engineering, development management, or related fields.
- A minimum of fifteen (15) years of direct experience in developing and executing capacity-building programmes relating to development effectiveness;
- Must have demonstrated a minimum of five (5) years of experience in developing policy frameworks. Knowledge of the Policy Framework and Action Plan for operationalizing the AfCFTA Agreement in Ghana is an added advantage;
- Must demonstrate proven understanding of the AfCFTA Agreement and its implementation processes, including market access and the Guided Trade Initiative;
- Must have proven understanding of the African Union Agenda 2063, regional integration, and demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of African development challenges;
- Must have a demonstrated record in high-level multi-stakeholder engagement/management, coordination, and facilitation, providing technical assistance/support, and partnership building;
- Must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) years experience in program design and implementation in World Bank-funded projects;
- Must have strong analytical skills, and the ability to apply data tools, organize ideas, texts, and presentations, and produce analytical documents and reports;
Demonstrate records of good networking skills, judgment, and ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams
- Duration of Assignment
The duration of the assignment is Twelve (12) Calendar Months. The contract may be extended for a further 12 months but not beyond the closing of the GETP.
- Location
The consultant will be based at the offices of the NCO but may work out of the station in consultation with the Chief Director of, the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
- Required Documents
The application should include the following documents:
- An updated CV
- Copies of relevant diplomas (university degrees, etc.)
The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://www.mofep.gov.gh or obtained at the address and emails given below.
The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection Method as set out in the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Procurement in Investment Project Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services [July 2016 Revised November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020).
- Submission of Expressions of Interest
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 9:00 am to 4:30 pm local time. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, by mail, or by email by October 8, 2024.
The Project Director
Ministry of Finance
Box M40, Accra, Ghana
Attn: Procurement Specialist
Ghana Economic Transformation Project Office,
Valco Trust House, Second Floor, Conference Room
Ambassadorial Enclave, Castle Road Ridge - Accra
Email: getpprocurement@gmail.com, and copy lateefpro@gmail.com
Tel: +233- 24740- 4444
Digital Address: GA – 052 -7763