Extended Term Consultant - Senior Trade Facilitation and SPS Expert

Extended Term Consultant - Senior Trade Facilitation and SPS Expert

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

The Trade Policy and Facilitation Unit (WKPTT) is part of the Prosperity Vice-Presidency and delivers analytical, advisory, financial, and convening services in trade facilitation, trade policy, logistics and connectivity, and regional integration.

The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) contains provisions to expedite the movement, release, and clearance of goods, including goods in transit, and to strengthen cooperation between customs and other relevant border authorities. Developing and least-developed country members may sequence implementation through Category A, B, and C commitments, with Category C commitments linked to technical assistance and capacity building.

World Bank Group flagship support program in this area includes diagnostics, policy dialogue, legislative and regulatory reform, border agency modernization, border agency coordination, and operational support. The ETC will combine specialized trade facilitation and SPS expertise with a focus on supporting the implementation of key trade facilitation and SPS reforms.

Duties and Accountabilities

The expert will work across trade facilitation, border management, SPS-related measures, non-tariff measures, and where relevant quality infrastructure. The assignment will combine diagnostics, and implementation support to regional teams to implement the WTO TFA and related SPS reforms. 

Scope of Work

Diagnostics and Country Assessments

• Assess the status of TFA implementation, including relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, customs procedures, border agency coordination, and notified Category A, B, and C commitments.
• Review SPS-related border processes and institutional arrangements, including the interface between customs and competent food safety, animal health, and plant health authorities, as applicable to the project.
• Assess the performance of single-window arrangements, particularly e-phyto implementation, risk management frameworks, authorized economic operator programs, time-release studies, transit procedures, and coordinated border management mechanisms.
• Prepare country-specific diagnostics  that synthesize trade facilitation performance, TFA implementation, SPS-related constraints, and recommendations to reduce time and cost for  private sector traders.

Technical Advisory and Operational Inputs

• Provide technical inputs on Trade Facilitation, SPS-related border controls, risk management, coordinated border management, single-window systems, authorized economic operator programs, second testing and e-phyto design and implementation of other related TFA provisions
• Prepare advisory notes, policy briefs, background papers, reform roadmaps, and implementation plans for client countries. 
• Provide inputs to operational documents, including Project Appraisal Documents, Development Policy Operations, Implementation Status and Results Reports, technical assistance activities, and related analytical and advisory engagements.
• Provide policy-relevant insights on market access requirements, regulatory compliance burdens, quality infrastructure, and regional integration and multilateral commitments, particularly in regard to plant product imports and exports.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Dissemination

• Develop training materials, workshop curricula, facilitator guides, presentations, and practical tools on agreed SPS and trade facilitation topics.
• Provide technical inputs to capacity-building programs for customs, SPS agencies, other border authorities, and relevant private-sector stakeholders.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, international trade, law, public policy, customs administration, agriculture, food safety, veterinary science, plant health, or another field relevant to the assignment or significant experience in a country Government SPS agency.
• Minimum 8 years of substantive professional experience in trade facilitation, border management, SPS-related trade work.   Having held a senior position in a country SPS agency would be an advantage
• Demonstrated technical expertise in WTO TFA implementation, including experience supporting developing or least-developed countries.
• Strong knowledge of border agency modernization, risk management, single-window systems, coordinated border management, authorized economic operator programs, test procedures and border agency cooperation.
• Demonstrated understanding of SPS-related border processes and their interaction with trade facilitation, risk management, market access, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience preparing high-quality reports, policy notes, operational inputs, presentations, databases, training materials, and other knowledge products for governments and international organizations. 
• Experience implementing e-phyto systems in developing countries would be an advantage
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or another language relevant to the target countries is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple workstreams and deliverables, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and meet agreed deadlines.

Duration and Place of Work

This assignment is for a period of one year, extendable to 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance and timely delivery of accepted outputs. The position will be based in Washington DC, with significant travel to client countries as required.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.