Economist for FICC on BCI

[Baghdad,Iraq ]

Brief information on the project

The Private Sector Development & Employment Promotion (PSD) Project in Iraq is a multi- donor action commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The PSD Project supports governmental efforts of creating conditions for a growth-oriented business and investment climate in central and south Iraq as well as Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It provides advisory services for economic reforms to government partners and supports fact- based policy making through promoting the inclusion of private sector representations, academic institutions and civil society organisations into policy-making processes.

In addition, the PSD Project supports the creation of employment prospects in the private sector for young Iraqis, especially women and returnees, following an integrated approach that combines labour market-driven skills development and job placement measures as well as entrepreneurship development, and advisory services for MSMEs.

Overall, this multi-donor action puts emphasis on developing long-term abilities of its partners such as Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, chambers and business associations. Special attention is given to sectors with a strong potential for growth such as agribusiness, solar energy, waste management, and hospitality, with a regional focus on Baghdad, Basra, Diwaniyah, Diyala, Erbil and Mosul.

1. Context

The PSD project aims to provide the Iraqi government with additional tools to better assess the economic situation of the private sector, to better identify challenges companies face as well as the effect of already conducted reform measures in certain areas of the Iraqi economy. It also aims at strengthening the position of the private sector by unifying and prioritizing their top obstacles and needs for reform. One of the tools which are supposed to help in this context is a Business Climate Index (BCI). The BCI is planned to implement a standardized approach with the aim to monitor the economic situation in a timely and reliable way. The index is based on a panel survey which at least quarterly conducts qualitative assessments amongst a representative base of enterprises. PSD is establishing the business climate index in Iraq to monitor market changes and translate the results into readable data for the decision makers within the Iraqi government. The PSD project is implementing the BCI in cooperation with the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce (FICC) guided and assisted by two international experts who have an extensive experience in establishing BCI in other countries. The index allows results variations between companies representing different sectors and different governorates.

The applicant should be responsive to the FICC team inquiries as well as the international consultants i.e., send/receive emails, attend virtual meetings, answer phone calls within the official working hours timeframe as well as the time zone difference.

Therefore, the PSD project is looking for an experienced economist to assist the FICC in better understanding the BCI’s role in economic development and in implementing the index accordingly.

2. Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:

Briefing / debriefing

• Review the project-related documents and assess the needs and requirements of the FICC.

• Regularly brief the PSD team on the latest developments, next steps, timeline, and the needs for accomplishments.

• Maintaining direct and regular updates between the FICC and international experts.

   

Capacity Development

• Support the FICC team in planning, conducting, and participating in the capacity development workshops in Baghdad and/or online conducted by the international experts.

• Actively participate in up to 8 workshops to coordinate between the international experts and the FICC.

• Explain the economic knowledge and the benefits of the BCI to the FICC team.

• Follow up with the FICC team regarding the implementation of the results of the workshops.

• Support the monitoring progress and formulation of the surveys towards the achievement of the private sector development strategies developed by the Iraqi government.

• Conduct regular meetings with the FICC team to assess the teams’ capabilities and the required capacity building programs.

Advise to the PSD, FICC, and the international experts on political, economic, and development-related issues

• Provision of advice on possible areas for FICC support and adjustment of on-going surveys to ensure that BCI activities are in line with national policies and priorities of the federal and regional governments (i.e., KRG).

• Identify up to 10 most economically pressing issues to be covered in the surveys and possible solutions proposed in the findings report.

  – The issues should be identified by meetings and consultations with FICC, government and parliament, advisors to the policy makers, the international community, private sector, business associations, and academics based on a comprehensive analysis.

• Identify government bodies and parliamentarian committees, which the FICC can share the data of the BCI with.

Communication and coordination

• Conduct regular online meetings with the international consultants to steer the BCI project and what is required to implement the project accordingly.

• Coordination of communication with FICC’s partners.

• The reports are produced on a quarterly basis as well as an annual report. Main focus of the contribution is economically. The reports are in both languages, Arabic and English, and may include variations of information depending on the recipient. Therefore, the consultant should support the FICC in producing these reports.

Quality Control & Follow up

• Ensure the periodic report is produced in professional English and Arabic languages, and the information is of relevance to the target reader/receiver.

• Ensure that the team is implementing within the planned timeframe to avoid any delays. Working Environment

  The contractor is required to support the FICC during activities such as the workshops, surveys, data analysis, by being physically in their office.

  Period of assignment: From 01.10.2021 until 01.04.2022 with a possibility to extend the contract for another agreed period of time upon the agreement of the contractor.

3. Personnel concept

The bidder is required to provide personnel who are suited to filling the positions described, on the basis of their CVs (see Chapter Error! Reference source not found.), the range of tasks involved and the required qualifications.

The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points.

 

TOR Files

83387683-GIZ-Economist-for-FICC-on-BCI.zip

Brief information on the project

The Private Sector Development & Employment Promotion (PSD) Project in Iraq is a multi- donor action commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The PSD Project supports governmental efforts of creating conditions for a growth-oriented business and investment climate in central and south Iraq as well as Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It provides advisory services for economic reforms to government partners and supports fact- based policy making through promoting the inclusion of private sector representations, academic institutions and civil society organisations into policy-making processes.

In addition, the PSD Project supports the creation of employment prospects in the private sector for young Iraqis, especially women and returnees, following an integrated approach that combines labour market-driven skills development and job placement measures as well as entrepreneurship development, and advisory services for MSMEs.

Overall, this multi-donor action puts emphasis on developing long-term abilities of its partners such as Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, chambers and business associations. Special attention is given to sectors with a strong potential for growth such as agribusiness, solar energy, waste management, and hospitality, with a regional focus on Baghdad, Basra, Diwaniyah, Diyala, Erbil and Mosul.

1. Context

The PSD project aims to provide the Iraqi government with additional tools to better assess the economic situation of the private sector, to better identify challenges companies face as well as the effect of already conducted reform measures in certain areas of the Iraqi economy. It also aims at strengthening the position of the private sector by unifying and prioritizing their top obstacles and needs for reform. One of the tools which are supposed to help in this context is a Business Climate Index (BCI). The BCI is planned to implement a standardized approach with the aim to monitor the economic situation in a timely and reliable way. The index is based on a panel survey which at least quarterly conducts qualitative assessments amongst a representative base of enterprises. PSD is establishing the business climate index in Iraq to monitor market changes and translate the results into readable data for the decision makers within the Iraqi government. The PSD project is implementing the BCI in cooperation with the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce (FICC) guided and assisted by two international experts who have an extensive experience in establishing BCI in other countries. The index allows results variations between companies representing different sectors and different governorates.

The applicant should be responsive to the FICC team inquiries as well as the international consultants i.e., send/receive emails, attend virtual meetings, answer phone calls within the official working hours timeframe as well as the time zone difference.

Therefore, the PSD project is looking for an experienced economist to assist the FICC in better understanding the BCI’s role in economic development and in implementing the index accordingly.

2. Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:

Briefing / debriefing

• Review the project-related documents and assess the needs and requirements of the FICC.

• Regularly brief the PSD team on the latest developments, next steps, timeline, and the needs for accomplishments.

• Maintaining direct and regular updates between the FICC and international experts.

   

Capacity Development

• Support the FICC team in planning, conducting, and participating in the capacity development workshops in Baghdad and/or online conducted by the international experts.

• Actively participate in up to 8 workshops to coordinate between the international experts and the FICC.

• Explain the economic knowledge and the benefits of the BCI to the FICC team.

• Follow up with the FICC team regarding the implementation of the results of the workshops.

• Support the monitoring progress and formulation of the surveys towards the achievement of the private sector development strategies developed by the Iraqi government.

• Conduct regular meetings with the FICC team to assess the teams’ capabilities and the required capacity building programs.

Advise to the PSD, FICC, and the international experts on political, economic, and development-related issues

• Provision of advice on possible areas for FICC support and adjustment of on-going surveys to ensure that BCI activities are in line with national policies and priorities of the federal and regional governments (i.e., KRG).

• Identify up to 10 most economically pressing issues to be covered in the surveys and possible solutions proposed in the findings report.

  – The issues should be identified by meetings and consultations with FICC, government and parliament, advisors to the policy makers, the international community, private sector, business associations, and academics based on a comprehensive analysis.

• Identify government bodies and parliamentarian committees, which the FICC can share the data of the BCI with.

Communication and coordination

• Conduct regular online meetings with the international consultants to steer the BCI project and what is required to implement the project accordingly.

• Coordination of communication with FICC’s partners.

• The reports are produced on a quarterly basis as well as an annual report. Main focus of the contribution is economically. The reports are in both languages, Arabic and English, and may include variations of information depending on the recipient. Therefore, the consultant should support the FICC in producing these reports.

Quality Control & Follow up

• Ensure the periodic report is produced in professional English and Arabic languages, and the information is of relevance to the target reader/receiver.

• Ensure that the team is implementing within the planned timeframe to avoid any delays. Working Environment

  The contractor is required to support the FICC during activities such as the workshops, surveys, data analysis, by being physically in their office.

  Period of assignment: From 01.10.2021 until 01.04.2022 with a possibility to extend the contract for another agreed period of time upon the agreement of the contractor.

3. Personnel concept

The bidder is required to provide personnel who are suited to filling the positions described, on the basis of their CVs (see Chapter Error! Reference source not found.), the range of tasks involved and the required qualifications.

The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points.

 

TOR Files

83387683-GIZ-Economist-for-FICC-on-BCI.zip

4. Expert

Tasks of expert

• See section 3 for details

Qualifications of expert (2.1.1)

• Education/training: master’s degree in economics or related fields, PhD is an advantage

• Language (2.1.2): business fluency in English and Arabic

• General professional experience (2.1.3): minimum 5 years’ experience in economic policies development, economic analysis, economic surveys, development of post crisis economy.

• Specific professional experience (2.1.4): minimum 5 years’ experience in the economy of Iraq development processes, development of regional and/or like-minded economies, conducting surveys and analysis, political-economic analysis and development, private sector policies development.

• Leadership/management experience (2.1.5): minimum 3 years’ experience in team leading or management position.

• Regional experience (2.1.6): living in working in Iraq for minimum 5 years Development Cooperation (DC) experience (2.1.7): minimum two years’ experience with development cooperation agencies.

 

TOR Files

83387683-GIZ-Economist-for-FICC-on-BCI.zip

10. Submission

Please address your bid to the following email address, the email subject should be (83387683- Economist for FICC on BCI)

[email protected]

Bids are to be submitted as Two parts

A. the signed and stamped:

1. 83387683- Annnex 1- Terms of Reference (ToR).

2. 83387683- Annex 3 -Technical Assessment grid.

3. 83387683- Annex 4 – General Terms of Contract.

4. 83387683- Annex 5 – Bidder Questions

5. All technical and formal requirements stated in clause 7 in the bidding conditions.

B. the signed and stamped price offer (83387683- Annex 2- Bid Sheet).

The price must only be mentioned in the price offer. Using the Bid Sheet (Annex 2). Non- compliance will lead in exclusion of the whole bid!

Detailed instructions, what information your bid should contain and how it should be presented are given in the attached bidding conditions (Annex A), If you have any further questions in this connection, please answer this invitation by e-mail using the document Bidders’ Questions (Annex 5), kindly address your questions to the following email before September 16^th, 2021, the email subject should be (Question – 83387683- Economist for FICC on BCI).

[email protected]

The bid must be submitted to the above-mentioned email before expiry of the submission deadline.

If the email size is bigger than 20MB, then the receiving size limit will be exceeding; subsequently the email will not be received in GIZ dedicated mailbox. The interested companies must make multiple submissions to avoid this problem.

11. Deadline for submission of bids

11.1  Bids must be received by the GIZ at the address specified under Clause 10 no later than

14:00 pm local time on 2021-09-20

Any bid received by the GIZ after the deadline for the submission of bids prescribed by the GIZ, will be declared late and will result in the disqualification of the whole bid.

11.2  GIZ may extend the deadline for the submission of bids by amending the bidding documents in accordance with Clause 4.

12. Modifications and withdrawal of bids

Subsequent corrections, modifications, and additions only to the technical offers bid can be considered only if they are received by the GIZ before expiry of the submission deadline to this email,

[email protected]

the email subject is (Amendment to the bid_83387683- Economist for FICC on BCI)

 

TOR Files

83387683-GIZ-Economist-for-FICC-on-BCI.zip