Review of Niue’s Trade Policy Framework and Implementation Plan

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Open Tender)

REVIEW OF NIUE’S TRADE POLICY FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Background

The Niue’s Trade Policy Framework (TPF) aims to become the main government policy to drive delivery of the Niue National Strategic Plan’s (NNSP) goal on Economic Development. The NNSP’s goal to maximize benefits from Niue’s resources in a sustainable manner by focusing on private sector development, targeting tourism, agriculture and fisheries, and supported by a safe, reliable, affordable and healthy infrastructure is fully aligned with the TPF.

For not only Niue’s resources are closely related to the country’s comparative advantages, but also because private initiatives can only succeed if they are able to transform those resources into exportable goods and services. The export-driven nature of the Niue’s economy is already evident by looking at the country’s statistics. These show that the private sector component of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is substantially driven by exports, notably export of tourism services, but also by successful endeavors in the good sector. It follows that the vision of the Niue’s TPF is that of a country where economic self-reliance is achieved and sustained through the concerted efforts by the government and the private sector to create the conditions for economic growth in areas of comparative advantage.

Purpose

The purpose of the short-term consultancy is:

• To undertake a review of Niue’s Trade Policy Framework and Implementation Plan through extensive consultations with relevant national and state stakeholders and assist in preparing a report and a policy statement outlining Niue’s implementation priorities.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will deliver the following Key Result Areas (KRAs):

• Key Activity 1: Engage in an inception meeting with the PIFS-SPIRIT Team Leader and the SPIRIT Trade Adviser for Polynesia and senior officials of Niue’s Economics Planning Development & Statistics, Premier’s Department to discuss objectives, activities, expected outputs, timelines, and any issues related to the execution of the project that requires clarification.
• Key Activity 2: Prepare and submit an Inception Report based on the clarifications provided at the briefing meeting, inclusive of a detailed Action Plan with specific timelines for completing the consultancy.
• Key Activity 3: Prepare questionnaires and other analytical tools for the desktop or literature review and national consultations with identified key stakeholders. Prepare a draft outline for the Trade Policy review.
• Key Activity 4: Conduct virtual consultations and face-to-face consultative meetings with Niue-based participants and other key stakeholders per the agreed Action Plan.
• Key Activity 5: Review Niue’s 2016 Trade Policy and Implementation Matrix and prepare a draft Trade Policy Review and Recommendations Report.
• Key Activity 6: Facilitate national validation workshop with Niue’s National Trade Committee.
• Key Activity 7: Submit the first drafts of Key Activity 5, and the draft Report for Key Activity 6 to PIFS for review and comments from internal stakeholders; and
• Key Activity 8: Submit a revised draft of Key Activity (7) to PIFS for endorsement as the final draft.

Academic Qualifications

The Consultant must be an Expert in International Trade and Development, and should possess the following qualifications and experience:

1. Master’s degree in economics, business administration, International Trade Law or related field.
2. 10+ years of professional experience as an economic consultant or similar role.

• Working knowledge of statistical analysis software (SPSS, SAS, R, etc.).

1. Familiarity with econometric modeling.
2. Experience with project management.
3. Relevant publications consistent with the sector of interest.

• Knowledge of the federal system of government.
• Previous experience in the country and regional area (Pacific region or any other Small Island Developing States).

1. Previous experience conducting economic policy reviews.
2. Knowledge of donor-funded trade and economic development programs and regional and sub-regional trade and economic integration initiatives in the Pacific region.

HOW TO APPLY

Deadline for Submissions: 4pm Friday 28 July 2023

Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award.  Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.

In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the tender for consultancy, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.