EMPLOYMENT AT SADC 2018

GOVERNMENT OF BOTSWANA: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGER

(TRADE RELATED FACILITY

Background

The SADC Trade Related Facility (TRF) is a mechanism for financial and technical support to SADC Member States to assist them to implement commitments made under the SADC Trade Protocol and the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU (EPA). The main objective of the TRF is to strengthen the process of regional integration in SADC, enhance trade with the EU and strengthen the region’s trade competitiveness globally. The specific objective of the Facility is to enhance the implementation of the SADC Trade Protocol and the SADC EU EPA in order to increase intra-regional and inter-regional trade flows of Member States.

Financial assistance under the SADC Trade Related Facility will help Strengthen Botswana’s Capacity for:

International Trade Administration, Competition and Customs Enforcement;
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Management and Control Management of Standards Import Inspection Regulations; and
Implementation of Electronic Commerce.

Summary of Specific Projects approved is as follows:

Component 1 Strengthen Botswana’s Capacity for International Trade Administration, Competition and Customs Enforcement.

A. Human Resource Development

A key intervention of the project will be the development of the human resources of the two institutions – Botswana Trade Commission (BOTC) and Competition Authority (CA) through staff training. This strategy is motivated by the existence of gaps in the skills of staff. Each institution – BOTC and CA – will conduct separate Training Needs Assessments (TNAs) and develop separate training programmes.

B. Technical Assistance

A key intervention area of the project will be in developing capacity of the two institutions to carry out research especially on policy issues.

C. Systems Development /Improvement

Another critical area of intervention under this project is systems development and/or improvement. This basically relates to resources and tools that will go a long way in helping the beneficiary institutions carry out their mandates. Under this project the focus is on helping them to put and strengthening their Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks, establishing of resource centres in both institutions.

Customs Enforcement

Development of Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS regulations. An important component in this intervention area is the support to the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) to draft regulations to the new Customs Act.

Component 2: Strengthening SPS management and control and the management of the Standards Import Inspection Regulations

A. Strengthening of the SPS Institutional Framework

This project component will provide Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security in drafting an Implementation Plan for strengthening the SPS Committee, the national notification authority for SPS, and the SPS Enquiry Point. The project will prepare a “Procedural Step-by-step Manual for SPS National Notification Authorities and SPS National Enquiry Points” in accordance with the WTO.

B. Improvement of SPS-related Information Exchange and Transparency

This project component will provide Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security and the Ministry of Health and Wellness in drafting an Implementation Plan for a Rapid Response System, including an Early Warning System, Emergency Preparedness, the Rapid Response System and the Composition of a Rapid Response Team.

C. Awareness raising among farmers, exporters and importers on SPS measures

This project component will provide and expand training capacity to NPPO for awareness raising training sessions among farmers, exporters and importers on SPS Measure, building upon the training efforts and awareness raising activities of the REIS Programme, which to date trained over a hundred regional farmers and agro-product exporters who have participated in REIS organized SPS awareness raising workshops and training sessions.

D. Strengthening SPS and Standards Procedures of laboratories

This project component will provide Technical Assistance to review the Quality Manual. Also this project component will provide revision of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to become compliant with ISO IEC 17020 (Inspections) & ISO IEC 17025 (Laboratory testing & calibration), and training including: training aids, and training-the-trainer sessions. Also, a product safety and tracking SPS database will be developed and operating.

E. Strengthening SPS and Standards Inspectorate

This project component will provide Technical Assistance to support Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) to enhance the enforcement of Standards of regulated Food and Agricultural Products which provides for improvement of the collaboration between BOBS and National Food Control Laboratory in order to shorten inspection and test turnaround times. Information Exchange and Inspection Alert System may be part of this Integrated Inspection Plan for Food and Agricultural Products.

F. Supporting Accreditation of the Compulsory Standards Unit (CSU) of BOBS

This project component will provide training to CSU-staff in effectively enforcing all of the 45 Standards Prescribed in the SIIR. Extra capacity will be needed to process the increased request for proposals for standards to become compulsory.

Component 3: National Strategy for E-Commerce

As the implementer of the e-commerce strategy, Government’s roles and responsibilities will be limited. This strategy will lay down objectives for Government to meet in areas such as the law associated with e-commerce, taxation and customs. The strategy also will lay down objectives for the private sector to attain, for example, in such areas as the development of electronic payment services, awareness and skills training. In implementing the action the following activities will be undertaken

1.A. Ecommerce Assessment: undertake assessment of Botswana ecommerce and identify baseline indicators

B. Strategy Formulation

Results in step 1 will inform the strategy formulation process. The main process however will hinge on nationwide stakeholder consultation to collect input from Batswana.

C. Strategy Implementation

A refined action plan with identified implementing agencies and resources allocations.

D. Policy and Legal Frameworks

Improve Legal and policy framework to support ecommerce implementation. All affected laws will be identified for future amendment.

E. Capacity Building and Communications

Consultants will be engaged to undertake the training exercises. Each consultant will develop training materials for the course on offer.

Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry (MITI) will be seeking Technical assistance to achieve this objective.

2. Objective of the Project Management Unit (PMU)

A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established for the management, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the various components of the projects. The PMU is established under the procurement policies of the Botswana Government. The PMU shall report to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, International Trade Department on the overall implementation of the project.

Composition of the PMU

The PMU will comprise a Project Manager, Finance Officer, and a Procurement Officer. The Project Manager will be in charge of the overall implementation of the project and shall report on a regular basis to the Director, International Trade and to the Steering Committee.

Specific Tasks of the Project Manager

The Project Manager shall ensure that all the earmarked activities are implemented in a timely manner and a report submitted accordingly in accordance with SADC policies. The specific responsibilities of the manager will include:

Manage and coordinate project activities, from substantive, administrative and financial points of view, applying strategic planning and systematic coordination of project activities;
Manage day-to-day project implementation and overall coordination of project outcomes;
Organises Project Steering Committee meetings;
Ensure effective communication and coordination between the Project officers in implementing agencies, and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI);
Provide direction and leadership in advocating project objectives and in ensuring that all interested parties are well informed about the project activities and goals;
Provide advice to project beneficiaries, review technical reports and monitor their activities;
Identify any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the Project;
Ensure timely preparation and compilation of the Project Annual/Quarterly Work Plans and Progress/Final substantial and financial reports and its submission to Project Steering Committee and the Focal Point for further submission to the TRF Facility Support Unit;
Prepare monthly reports on key project activities, issues and required action points. Prepare the project semiannual progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks and issues, expenditures), annual review report and final review reports, and submit them to Project Steering Committee and the Focal Point as appropriate;
Plan, organize and participate in the transparent tender bidding or request for proposal processes for the selection of implementing partners for sub-projects and ensure the preparation of clear tender bidding evaluation reports;
Ensure the quality of outputs and results with optimal monitoring mechanisms; establish effective coordination, information sharing;
Manage Project administrative and security related activities, monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy, compliance with SADC Financial Management Rules and reliability of financial reports;
Ensure proper professional relationships with relevant national and international partner agencies and relevant development programmes/projects;
Verify and channel all requests for Project, administrative, logistical and other support and report all incidents related to security and issues of general concern to the Focal Point and PSC;
Manage the transfer of Project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials according to Botswana Government Supplies procedures;
Ensure establishment and maintenance of proper electronic and paper filing systems;
Facilitate preparation of terms of Reference for appointment of Consultants under the various components of the project where required and to follow up on implementation;
Take the lead in the preparation of activity work plans and budgets and ensuring their timely execution;
Prepare project reports for submission to the Steering Committee and SADC as part of the project monitoring process
Ensure accountability of all funds provided for activity implementation;
Take the lead in the production and dissemination of periodic progress reports;
Perform other duties that may be required by MITI/DIT Senior Management relating to the project

Qualifications and Expertise Requirements of Project Manager

Should possess a Master degree or equivalent in international development, Project Management, Accounting, Finance, Public administration or other relevant field.

Experience

5 years of relevant work experience
- Managerial experience in the field of development cooperation including in grant management, especially EU Grants
- Knowledge of the issues in the relevant area
- Proven experience working with Government, civil society, international organizations and donors
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.
Language Requirements:

Fluency of English

Reporting

The PMU shall report on a regular basis to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, specifically to the (Focal Point/Director Trade/PS) and to the Project Steering Committee on the progress of the various components of the projects. Reports should be submitted to the Steering Committee. He/she will be directly supervised by the Director, Department of International Trade

Time Frame

The projects should be completed by 30 September 2019. The project manager will be expected to work 40 hours a week (07:30-16:30; 12:45 -13:45 lunch time) for the duration of the contract.

Remuneration and Benefits

P30 000.00/month

Medical Aid: 15%

Gratuity : 30%

Leave : 30 days

Location

Gaborone, Botswana

Applications

Applications are invited and should be addressed to Director Department of International Trade, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Plot No 54380, Central Business District, Private Bag 007, Gaborone, BOTSWANA or emailed to bgabalebatse@gov.bw . Applications should be received by 15 December 2017 before 15:00.