Reference: X/CWG/0511
Location: Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago
Duration: 24 person weeks over the period 12 months
Closing Date: 6 Oct 2011
Background
The Commonwealth Secretariat has received requests from the Governments of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago for assistance to improve the competitiveness of their professional services.
Over the years, Grenada has evolved from an agriculture based economy to one driven by services. Services accounted for over 70% of the country’s GDP in 2010. Tourism, which dominates the country’s services sector, has declined since the financial crisis of 2008/09. Following a sharp rise to reach 20% of GDP in 2007, the share of FDI fell to about 12% of GDP in 2010. Growth in the short term is projected to be low, partly due to slow recovery in Grenada’s main trading partners. The Government recognises the need for revitalisation and is committed to strengthening the country’s resilience by diversifying the economy and generating new and higher income opportunities. A number of transformational sectors have been identified, including health, wellness and education; ICT, energy, among others. A strategic plan is needed to provide a framework for the development of the country’s professional services.
The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is driven by extractive industry. Oil and gas account for about 42% of GDP and 80% of exports. The sector’s contribution to employment is in the region of 5%. The economy grew at an estimated 8% per year between 2000 and 2007. Recent growth forecasts are between 2 - 4% reflecting the effects of the global downturn. The country seeks to rejuvenate the economy and secure future growth by expanding key sectors, including energy and ICT. Trinidad and Tobago developed a marketing plan for professional services with the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat in 2005. The marketing plan proposed actions to stimulate export in selected subsectors. There is need to review performance and update the strategic focus of the country’s professional services in light of changes in the domestic and international business environment.
The Commonwealth Secretariat wishes to recruit consultants to provide the required Technical Assistance.
Scope of Work
The overall goal of the Project is to improve the competitiveness of professional services in the two countries. The scope of work outlined below will be delivered in 2 Phases. Phase 1 will consist of diagnostics, review and strategy preparation. Phase 2 will entail providing technical support to implement selected short term activities arising out of the respective strategic plans.
Phase 1
Grenada
Working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development, the team is expected to:
- Assess the contribution of professional services to trade (export and investment) and competitiveness and profiling sectors with the greatest potential for growth
- Review international market trends and supply conditions and identify major opportunities for and obstacles to growth
- Review the policy and institutional framework and highlight areas that need to be strengthened
- Develop a strategic plan with detailed actions
- Organise at least 2 stakeholder workshops at key stages of the assignment
Deliverables
- A diagnostic report following the inception mission
- A draft strategic plan to be presented to key stakeholders before finalisation
- A final strategy and implementation plan
Trinidad and Tobago
The team is expected to work closely with the Ministry of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) to:
- Review the country’s performance of services sector since 2005. In particular, the review should address the status of implementation of the Marketing Plan for Professional Services (2005) and draw the main learning points
- Identify new opportunities for professional services in the context of the current economic environment
- Review the mandates and capacity of relevant organisations in the public and private sector and recommend actions to enhance their respective roles in implementing services strategies
- Develop a strategic plan with a detailed plan of action to improve the competitiveness of professional services in Trinidad and Tobago
- Organise at least 2 stakeholder workshops at key stages of the assignment
Deliverables
- A diagnostic report following the inception mission
- An implementation review of the 2005 marketing plan
- A draft strategic plan for professional services to be presented to stakeholders for input
- Final strategy and implementation plan
Working Arrangements
It is envisaged that the consultants will provide on-going technical support to national agencies. The consultants will work closely with the respective national agencies under the supervision of the Commonwealth Secretariat. All deliverables will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretariat. Relevant background documentation (e.g the 2005 Marketing Plan for Trinidad and Tobago) will be provided to the successful candidate.
Phase 2
Review of similar projects undertaken by the Commonwealth Secretariat has revealed the difficulty that lead agencies face in translating strategy into action. Phase 2 of the technical assistance (TA) is designed to provide capacity building support to key partners to implement selected activities in order to address this challenge. At the end of Phase 1, the Project team (Commonwealth Secretariat, lead counterparts and the consultant) will agree short term priority actions where additional technical support is required. This TA will be delivered under a separate contract.
Eligibility Criteria
The minimum qualification for team members is a graduate degree in business, economics or related field. The team leader should have at least 10 years experience in business, market and institutional development. The team should possess international experience in strategy formulation at sector and national level and working knowledge of services issues in the region (e.g, bilateral initiatives, EPAs, etc). Practical experience in providing capacity building support will be a strong advantage.
Level of Effort and Budget
24 person weeks over a period not exceeding 12 months. A maximum £59,600 has been earmarked for consultancy fees, travel (air fare and local travel), per diem and all incidental costs. Costs for workshops and production of documents will be provided outside this budget.
Download the Terms of Reference
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