International Centre for Migration PolicyDevelopment (ICMPD) Circular 2020

     International Centre for Migration Policy    

                   Development (ICMPD)

 

 

 

Name of Post	TOR — Short-term National Expert (Customs)
Responsibility	See this circular
Qualifications	University degree or equivalent
Experience Requirement	At least 10 year(s)
Employment Status	Part Time
Job Type	Experienced
No. of Vacancy	Not specified
Application End Date	24 December 2020

 

  

TOR — Short-term National Expert (Customs), IBM in Bangladesh

Background:

The EU-funded project "Integrated Border Management in the Silk Routes Countries" (IBM Silk Routes) is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development for the benefit of the Silk Routes countries, i.e. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan. The duration of the project is 48 months. The overall objective of the project is to support the countries of the Silk Routes region in building their capacity of border management and the development of their national Integrated Border Management (IBM) guidelines, to ensure that these are coherent and effectively co-ordinated at a national, and, if possible, at a regional level, with a focus on effective border control, human resources development and preventing irregular migration.

In line with the IBM Silk Routes project, the 'IBM in Bangladesh' project is tailored to support Bangladesh in further strengthening its border management system by adapting the IBM concept and its latest developments to the specific needs and realities of Bangladesh, in order to support the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The project's specific objectives are as follows:

·      Bangladesh have further strengthens its capacities, instruments and infrastructure to develop and implement a sound border management approach through systematic inter-agency cooperation.

·      Bangladesh have extends its international cooperation in the area of border management.

Within this framework, the project has developed its cooperation with Bangladesh Customs and started its implementation through developing a specific work plan in line with the Customs strategic action plan.

The Action will lead to the achievement of the following results contributing to the two major outcomes:

Component (outcome) 1: Assistance in developing capacities, instruments and infrastructure, which is implemented through the following modules:

·      National IBM strategies and action plans are developed to strengthen intra-, inter-agency and international cooperation.

·      Operational capacities of border management agencies enhanced.

·      Capacities of training entities of the beneficiary agencies increased.

·      Infrastructure to facilitate better border management is improved.

Component (outcome) 2: Regional and bilateral coordination and cooperation, which is implemented through the following modules:

·      Legal framework for international cooperation is improved.

·      Mechanisms for information and knowledge exchange enhanced.

Main Tasks

I. In the framework component 1 and its modules, the related work plan for Bangladesh Customs has been developed. This work plan is aligned with the pre-developed Bangladesh Customs Modernization Strategic Action Plan (SAP) 2019-2022. Within this framework the project will directly support the implementation of the Customs SAP in the areas of capacity building, best practice knowledge sharing and Equipment and software development.

The national expert (Customs) will support the Project team in the implementation of the work plan in coordination with the IBM Project Manager and under the direct supervision of the IBM Project Officers; the expert shall perform the following tasks, when requested:

·      Provide support to the project team in presenting the IBM concept to the decision makers in Bangladesh Customs; Provide recommendations to the expert and project team for improvement of coordination and cooperation between Customs agencies/units;

·      Support the assessment of the current capacities and needs in the area of HR and training of Customs agency. Contribute to the HR and training gaps needs assessment (HR-TGNA) through a related series of meetings, interviews, focus group discussions, etc. in coordination with the expert and project team.

·      Provide assistance to organize and participate in project activities and events in cooperation with the IBM Project Officer in Bangladesh

·      Contribute to the development of customized training activities including in the areas of trade facilitation, money laundering, customs investigation and intelligence, risk analysis as well as others upon demand from the Bangladesh Customs. Support the design of agendas for the national customized training, identify the relevant participants, promote their nominations and contribute to delivery of the training;

·      Identify additional national needs regarding all fields of cooperation and coordination;

·      Liaison with the decision-making level at the Customs based on the guidelines from the project team and Customs' experts;

·      Contribute to the development of the Common Border Management Curriculum for the key border management training entities/units in Bangladesh;

·      Support the use of an e-learning classroom at the Customs Academy and integration within training practices.

·      Design and conduct the IBM awareness campaigns and training activities.

·      Prepare event reports in details along with the supporting documents (questionnaires, written analysis, recommendations/conclusions, next steps, etc.)

·      Provide advice on Customs issues in the process of project implementation, including but not limited to national aspects and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Customs operations at border crossing points (BCPs), Airport Customs Management, express courier management, and good practices to simplify passenger movements through land ports.

·      Contribute to the development of the "model" BCP based on international good practices and as proposed by the Bangladesh Customs.

·      Advise on the delivery and usage of specialized equipment for Bangladesh Customs.

·       

Deliverables:

It is the responsibility of the expert to collect the necessary information required for the performance of his/her assignment. The in-depth knowledge of the Customs operations, its legislation, practices and plans in the area of border management is a pre-condition for taking on the assignment. The input provided shall be based on good international practices and adjusted to the context of Bangladesh.

The expert's assignments and deliverables will be monitored on a regular basis and reviewed according to the actual needs of the country and the national project work plan. The key deliverables of the expert include the following:

·      Substantial input to the HR-TGNA report, as well as contribution to the data collection phase via interviews, focus group discussions, and drafting of input for the analytical report.

·      Recommendations to the expert and project team for improvement of coordination and cooperation between Customs units and inter border agencies;

·      Customized training courses on money laundering, trade facilitation, risk analysis planned and delivered in coordination with expert team.

·      Delivery of presentations on IBM in Bangladesh to the national and international border management stakeholders, when required and requested by the project team.

·      Conduct activities according to the Customs work plan in coordination with the Project Officer and project team, and prepare activity report accordingly.

All written deliverables are to be submitted in editable MS Word format, in English languages and professionally edited.

The assignment will commence upon the signature of the Special Service Agreement and will last until 31 June 2021 with the maximum number of working days: 60, with the possibility of extension if required by the project work plan.

Reporting lines:

The Short-term National Expert will report to the IBM Project Officer on a regular basis. The IBM Project Officer will be in charge of the overall supervision both in terms of content and administrative issues and will provide input and comments on deliverables as needed.

 

Qualifications and Experience: General

·      At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in Customs and/or border management in Bangladesh

·      University degree or equivalent

·      Excellent analytical and reporting skills

·      Excellent language and communication skills (English)

·      Excellent presentation and representational skills

·      Ability to work effectively in a politically sensitive environment and exercise discretion, impartiality, diplomacy and neutrality

·      Excellent facilitation and training skills

·      Ability and flexibility to work in a team of peers, as well as to lead them

·      Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

·      Knowledge of implementation of EC external assistance Integrated Border Management projects

·      Ability to work under security pressure

 

Specific:

·      In-depth knowledge of Bangladesh Customs and border management agencies/ stakeholders, regulations and national strategies relevant to the IBM objectives.

·      Excellent knowledge of technical requirements on equipment relevant for Customs operations and border management

·      Knowledge of the good practices in border surveillance, border and customs checks in Bangladesh

·      Proven experience in designing and delivering training courses on Customs relevant subject matter.

·      Sound knowledge of the international good practices, regulations and policies in the field of Customs related border management

·      Proven experience in support to the international cooperation development, as well as the information exchange at the bi- and multi-lateral basis

Material to be provided by ICMPD

·      Description of Action and Logical framework

·      Migration Profile of Bangladesh

·      Agreed work plan for Bangladesh Customs

·      ICMPD rules and regulations relevant to the work of the short-term expert

·      Background material, such as studies, assessment reports, presentations, and other reports available to the project team on IBM-related topics

·      Any other relevant documents

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application in English (application letter, CV, list of references) to: shohel.rana@icmpd.org on or before 24 December 2020. All applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated above. Applications received after the published deadline will not be considered.