Zimbabwe Jobs 2016: Statistical Consultant wanted at COMESA, Zimbabwe
Opening for a Statistical Consultant
Organisation: COMESA Zimbabwe
Job Titile: Statistical Consultant
Close Date: 31-10-2016
- Background
Despite the recorded growth in output in several COMESA countries over the past decade, many of these countries struggle with some of the highest and most persistent rates of poverty globally. Coupled to this, both income and gender inequality persists. The COMESA region is however endowed with substantial human and natural resources while investment and trade have over the past decade expanded. Intra COMESA export trade has grown by over 150% between 2015 and 2006.
However COMESA economies remain is susceptible to shocks and stresses and these have the potential to negate development gains and stifle future growth.
In May 2016, USAID adopted a five-year East Africa Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (2016 – 2020) (RDCS) with an overall goal of “enhancing East African-led sustainable economic growth and resilience.” It focuses on three complementary and synergistic development objectives (DOs), namely: DO 1: Sustainable regional economic integration advanced; DO 2: Improved management of risks that transcend borders; and DO 3: East African institutions’ leadership and learning strengthened. This strategy was developed in consultation with stakeholders and partners across the East African region, including COMESA. Similarly, on July 12, 2016, COMESA concluded the final review of the draft Medium Term Strategic Plan (2016-2020) for adoption and implementation in October 2016, with an overall goal of deepening trade facilitation, market integration and ensuring the readiness of the Secretariat and region. COMESA developed this strategy after inclusive and extensive consultations with Member States and various stakeholders.
USAID and COMESA’s strategies have similar goals and its DOs and Strategic Objectives (SOs), respectively, align. Both Parties believe that working together to achieve these goals will be mutually beneficial.
Consequently USAD and COMESA signed the Regional Development Objectives Grant Agreement (RDOAG) in September 2016. The RDOAG will provide a framework implementation of activities in support of/in furtherance of the RDCS and in consultation with COMESA and other regional stakeholders.
Under the DO1, COMESA and USAID will endeavor to support statistical development in the COMESA region. In the Implementation Letter signed for the 2016-2017 work program, both parties intend to support work related to agriculture trade statistics, data quality related to the same and COMESA Secretariat capacity building.
The statistical consultant being hired will basically play a pivotal role in ensuring deliverables towards improved agriculture trade statistics.
- The main objective of the consultancy
The main objective of the consultancy is to enhance the implementation of the sub program related to the formal and informal agriculture trade.
- Specific tasks and mode of work
Implementation of a data quality program on trade statistics – The consultant will be required to develop a data quality program on formal agriculture trade.
- Working together with statistical offices and customs offices, this will entail the use of trade data reconciliation techniques to identify and rectify where possible the sources of data discrepancies. The consultant will also supervise joint bilateral country missions related to the reconciliation exercises.
- Working with customs offices, the consultant will develop a data improvement program with national customs offices targeting major ports of entry/exit.
- The consultant will supervise the implementation of a module to enhance the imputation of missing weights/quantities data based on data for similar products using the EUROTRACE software in selected Member states.
- The consultant will supervise work related to the migration of the EUROTRACE ACCESS based platform to SQL Server for selected countries to enhance timeliness of trade data processing.
Agriculture Informal Cross Border Trade Statistics – The consultant will;
- Undertake a study on Simplified Trade Regime Data Capture from Customs Authorities.
- Supervise a pilot program on Statistical Offices’ data capture of STR forms from customs.
Duration
- The consultancy is expected to be undertaken in one year starting from January 2017.
Consultants profile
The consultant should have the following qualifications:
- Minimum Master’s degree in Statistics/Economics/Mathematics/IT or related field. Proof of a Bachelor’s Degree in any of these fields.
- Working experience with international trade statistics at a national and regional level for a minimum of 10 years.
- Competence in the EUROTRACE software for compilation of international merchandise trade statistics.
- Experience at working with national statistical offices and customs offices on trade statistics.
- Experience at undertaking data reconciliation exercises.
- Proven experience in providing training in international trade statistics concepts.
Travel and subsistence
COMESA Secretariat will cover travel cost and the daily subsistence allowance for the Consultant in cases of travel.
- SUBMISSION
- Written applications should be submitted electronically to COMESA Procurement at procurement@comesa.int before Monday 31st October, 2016 at 17:00 hours
Submissions should include the following:
- Updated CVs of consultants including contacts: e-mail and telephone numbers
- Cover letter detailing their understanding of the task and highlighting experience and expertise in similar works;
- Copies of academic qualifications.
Only individual consultants with the required profile are encouraged to apply