Location : Odessa, UKRAINE
Application Deadline : 10-May-08
Type of Contract : SSA
Languages Required :
English Russian
Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start) 01-Jun-2008
Duration of Initial Contract : 18 working days within 5 months
Expected Duration of Assignment : 18 working days
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Background

The Moldova-Ukraine State Border is 1,222 km long, consisting of 955 km of green border and 267 km of blue border. There are 67 official border crossing points along the Ukraine border, including international, inter-state and local ones. At the Moldova-Ukraine border, a section of 472 km is under control of the so-called Transnistrian authorities, including 25 official crossing points (5 international, 8 inter-state and 12 local). There is an internal / administrative “boundary” between the so-called Transnistria and Moldova proper (which is basically the Dniestr River) where 14 Internal Customs Control Posts have been established. Moldovan border guards do not control this “internal boundary”.

In June 2005 the Presidents of Moldova and Ukraine sent a joint letter to the EU requesting assistance for enhanced border management capacities, including the development of an international standard of border and customs control at the Moldova/Ukraine state border. The EU responded positively to this request and an EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine was set-up which is based on a Memorandum of Understanding dated 7 October 2005 and signed between the European Commission, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. UNDP is the European Commission’s implementing partner in this endeavor. The initial duration of the EUBAM was 2 years. Its mandate has been extended for further 2 years until end of November 2009.

EUBAM’s mandate is, amongst others, to build up appropriate operational and institutional capacity in Moldova and Ukraine to ensure effective border and customs controls and surveillance as well as effective fight against criminal cross-border activities and organized crime with particular attention to the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border, including relevant inland areas and locations. In this context, EUBAM is seeking to make a sustainable contribution to support the counterpart services of Moldova and Ukraine in the implementation of modern, EU compliant, border management systems.

Since launched in November 2005 EUBAM has been advising and assisting in the implementation of modern management concepts in line with EU Standards and accepted best international practice at the common borders of Moldova and Ukraine and in Regional and HQ units. Although training and guidance has been delivered since 2006 and regular recommendations have been given, the senior management of the services need to be given the opportunity to increase their horizon with regards to border management systems at the operational and strategic level.
Both customs services maintain control systems that concentrate on the control rather than facilitation aspects of their work and this area requires strengthening in line with WCO/ WTO treaty requirements such as Kyoto and other agreements and in both countries’ stated aims of enhancing trade and economic growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall objective

* To assist the senior managers of the Moldova Customs Service (MD CS) and the State Customs Service of Ukraine (UA SCS) in developing and systems and procedures that conform to EU standards – in particular strengthening capacity in regarding measures to facilitate and ease trade and cooperate with traders.

Specific objectives of this contract are as follows:

* To work closely with the senior management of MD CS, UA SCS and with other stakeholders, to identify and specify needs, to identify strengths and weaknesses in their existing systems and procedures for facilitating trade.
* To assist in the development of management functions in the organisation at the senior management level including the provision of training and mentoring to assist in the development of planning and systems to engage with the trading and business community and to enhance communication between customs and traders - with the overall object of attaining service levels in accordance with EU standards, WCO/ WTO expectations (as elaborated in conventions, agreements and treaties to which both counterparts are party) and accepted best international practice of customs operations and law enforcement.
* To adapt the existing concept or to design new management structures and systems in the organisation and to advise and assist during the implementation of new systems that aid the development of trade.

Results to be achieved by the Consultant

* Design and delivery of a training course/ workshop, in collaboration with EUBAM and other interested parties, for Ukrainian and Moldovan customs managers in trade facilitation standards; accepted international policies and policy development in this field; practices and procedures to implement such policies in line with EU, WCO and other expectations; development of Memoranda of Understanding, certified trader and similar instruments with the business community in line with EU, WCO, WTO and other relevant parties’ expectations.
* Development of Course notes, course materials, planning tools and practical exercises that will be part of the training and will be available for use in future training events by UA SCS and MD CS
* 16 customs managers prepared in relevant trade facilitation matters.
* A report that includes an evaluation of the training and recommendations for future work needed.

Competencies

General:

* Earlier international exposure, the ability to work independently but also in a multicultural environment is an asset.
* Active, former or recently retired member of a Customs Service or Revenue Management Agency or equivalent position in a public service or ministry.
* Professional in the area of border management in an EU Customs Service or Revenue Management Agency or equivalent with at least 20 years of experience and 10 years in senior management positions – with particular experience in managing the process of implementing trade facilitation strategies in a public sector (Customs & Revenue Management) institution – with clear understanding of relevant treaties, agreements and MoUs relating to trade facilitation including those developed by the EU, WCO and WTO.
* Well developed client interface and interpersonal skills;
* Advanced information analysis skills, good drafting skills;
* Ability to write sensitive policy-relevant analyses, to study alternative options and suggest recommendations;
* Experience of running projects and working in an international context;
* Previous experience of work with state services (Customs or Revenue Management Agency or equivalent) in FSU or transition countries will be in asset;
* Ability to work in international team;

Required Skills and Experience

* University degree and/or equivalent education or relevant professional training and experience;
* Excellent fluency (both oral and written) in the English.
* Knowledge of Russian and/or Romanian is an asset.


Sources:

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Thanks,

Jalpa