Study tour coordinator

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Study tour coordinator
Training Sector: Trade and development
Position Type: Short-term
Duration/Level of Effort: Part-time
Position Location: Remote

Background
Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development (EDM) provides technical assistance to Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries to maximize the development impacts of trade and investment. Over seven years (2018-2026), EDM will invest CAD 16.5 million to support Canada’s developing country trading partners to negotiate, implement, benefit from, and adapt to trade and investment agreements with Canada.

EDM is a demand-driven project that benefits partners – including governments, local private sector groups and local civil society organizations – through capacity building and technical advisory support on policy reform issues that have a high potential to reduce poverty and gender inequalities and support progress in trade and investment agreement negotiations.

Global Affairs Canada has identified Peru as a beneficiary of EDM technical assistance in order to deepen the economic and trade relationship between Canada and Peru, to increase the utilization of the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) and to support implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).   

The principal focus of EDM technical assistance to Peru has been to strengthen trade policy capacity, including providing training on competition policy (pre-merger review), risk-based food safety regulation, methodologies for economic impact assessment of trade agreements and the adoption of product standards, and an assessment of the export financing needs of Peruvian businesses and the design of programs to address their most urgent access to capital needs.  More recent technical assistance has focused on strengthening trade support organizations and export development services to address a downturn in economic growth.  Despite a strong recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic, the Peruvian economy had been negatively affected by social and political unrest, a weakening in global demand for natural resources and the impact of severe weather on agricultural production. 

The security of the export logistics chain is an issue of vital importance for the competitiveness of Peruvian exporters.  The risk of contamination of cargo (by illicit substances) and theft generates economic losses, delays in shipments, breaches of contracts and a significant increase in the costs of insurance, contributing to a loss of competitiveness.  A study carried out by the World Bank in 2019 (Comprehensive Analysis of Logistics in Peru of 5 Export Chains), indicates that export chains incur additional security costs of up to USD 4 thousand per shipment, and the average cost for security represents 34% of the total logistics cost.  These costs have a particularly negative impact on companies located in the most remote areas of the country and for micro and small enterprises.
To address the challenge of customs security and to comply with its commitments in the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the Government of Peru established the Multisectoral Commission for Foreign Trade Facilitation (COMUFAL) in 2017.  The commission is chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) and aims to strengthen coordination between State entities, with a view to proposing mechanisms, actions and tools for the development of trade facilitation, aimed at reducing logistics costs, as well as contributing to compliance with the TFA.
Within the framework of COMUFAL, the Technical Security Team for the Foreign Trade Logistics Chain was created, whose role is to coordinate actions to promote the development and application of effective security mechanisms and the implementation of programs that strengthen and modernize intelligence and crime prevention work in Peruvian foreign trade.
The Technical Team is working to strengthen the capacity of the agencies responsible for security in the logistics chain and, to that end, has requested assistance from the EDM to arrange a study tour to Canada to exchange best practices in customs security with Canadian port and airport authorities.

Short description
This technical assistance will support a study tour to Canada by officials responsible for customs security in Peru to exchange best practices with Canadian customs, ports and airports authorities.

Linkage to EDM Performance Measurement Framework
This assistance is consistent with the EDM Performance Management Framework, Immediate Outcome 1220:  Increased capacity of partner country ministries, departments and agencies to expand access to export-oriented economic opportunities for SMEs, particularly those led by women, indigenous or other under-represented groups.

Description of Technical Assistance Request/Key Responsibilities
Under this technical assistance activity, the technical expert(s) will: 

• Prepare a detailed study tour program and delegate information package, in consultation with the relevant agencies from both Peru and Canada.
• The meetings in Canada will include visits to the Canada Border Services Agency, Transport Canada, the Vancouver Airport Authority and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.  These agencies have indicated their support, in principle, to receive the delegation from Peru and Global Affairs Canada has expressed its support for the initiative.
• Provide logistical support to a delegation of officials from Peru for a study tour to Vancouver, Canada, to exchange best practices in customs security with Canadian counterparts. Logistical arrangements include international and local travel, accommodation, meeting venues, translation and simultaneous interpretation services as required.
  The Peruvian delegation will include seven officials from the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT); the Anti-Drug Directorate of the National Police of Peru (DIRANDRO); the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR); and the National Port Authority (APN)
  
  

Consistent with Canada’s inclusive trade approach, the EDM promotes gender equality and social inclusion, as well as environmental sustainability, as cross-cutting objectives of all technical assistance.  Proposals should explain how these objectives will be integrated into the planning/approach, content and conduct of the technical assistance.

The direct beneficiaries of this technical assistance will be officials from the participating ministries and agencies in Peru.  The indirect beneficiaries will be Peruvian exporters and will be measured in reduced logistics costs, increased exports and profits, job creation and poverty reduction.

Technical Expert Profile/Expertise Required
Bidders for this technical assistance activity must demonstrate expert knowledge and extensive experience in the following:

• the coordination of international study tours, including program development and the administration of logistical arrangements;
• the development of detailed study tour programs;
• familiarity with the mandates, policies and programs of Canadian customs security agencies (an asset);
• the integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations in the design and delivery of trade technical assistance; and
• understanding how customs security can serve as a powerful tool for advancing environmental sustainability.the delivery of technical assistance activities in developing countries.
  
  

Timelines
The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025. The technical assistance activity is expected to be completed by November 30, 2025.

Deliverables

• A detailed work plan, work schedule and budget for the delivery of activities.
• Completed EDM Performance Measurement Framework template for the TA, including baseline data and targets against EDM indicators.
• Draft and final study tour program;
• Draft and final delegate information package;
• Final Narrative Report on Mandate: Due within 30 calendar days of completing all TA activities. The report shall describe activities delivered; results achieved (versus initial expected results and baseline); lessons learned relevant to future EDM activities, and expenses incurred by the Consultant in carrying out this mandate. This report will be reviewed and approved by EDM before being shared with Global Affairs Canada.
  
  

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCESS
For your proposal to be considered, please name your document in the following format:

3.23 - Consultant Last Name, First Name
(Proposals can be submitted by a single consultant or a consortium of consultants).

Your proposal should be in English and contain the following sections:

• Cover letter
• Proposal that includes the following:
• Your approach to implementing this TA (up to 10 pages maximum);
• Your approach to ensure that gender equality and social inclusion are considered in all aspects of the TA, including approach, content, and delivery (up to 2 pages maximum);
• Your approach to ensure that environmental impacts are considered in all aspects of the TA, including approach, content, and delivery (up to 1 page maximum);
• Your project management and monitoring strategy for the implementation of the activities (up to 2 pages maximum).
• All proposed personnel to implement this project and their roles and responsibilities. Include all CVs of proposed personnel/experts (up to 20 pages maximum).
• Estimated level of effort (in days) and consulting rates (in CAD) for each proposed personnel member and/or expert implementing the project.

Please submit your proposal as one PDF document through the Cowater Career Page. Emailed proposals will not be accepted. If you have any questions, please email info@edm-mde.ca.   

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017. 

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.