International (EU) Customs Expert

Job Description

Nature of the consultancy: Category B Consultancy

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, direct supervision of the Senior Programme Specialist (MBG) and the overall coordination and oversight of the National Project Officer (MBG), the Consultant will provide advisory services and technical support to the IOM Ukraine’s Migration and Border Governance (MBG) Programme team and its beneficiaries (the Ministry of Infrastructure, the State Customs Service of Ukraine and other Integrated Border Management (IBM) actors) on the trade facilitation measures within the “EU Support to Strengthening IBM in Ukraine (EU for Solidarity Lanes and IBM)” project implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the European Union.

Project Context and Scope: 

IOM’s MBG Programme in Ukraine and the EU for Solidarity Lanes and IBM project aims at contributing to Ukraine’s trade facilitation and economic recovery through improving flows of essential goods through Border Crossing Points (BCPs) and support the enhanced resilience and business continuity of Ukrainian border and migration authorities in the context of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine. The project also promotes “EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes” initiative, established to forward export and import of the essential goods and commodities from/to Ukraine to the EU member states and global supply chains, that were affected by the ongoing war of Russia against Ukraine.

Responsibilities

Category B Consultants: Tasks to be performed under this contract

The Consultant will take the lead and work over the project deliverables which are the priority short-term actions in border infrastructure improvement and other trade facilitation measures for additional EU financial support in the pipeline, with a view to further achieving impact through the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes. These will entail representing the Migration and Border Governance Programme of IOM Ukraine as a technical expert at relevant coordination meetings and thematic conferences where Ukrainian government agencies, EU entities and other stakeholders are present and conducting the in-depth technical assessments to define the prioritized actions, development of frameworks, roadmaps and mechanisms for practical implementation of the proposed actions, provision of the expert conclusions and recommendations for the proposed actions and on as-need basis.   

The Consultant will closely interact with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry of Infrastructure), the State Customs Service of Ukraine (SCS), the Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Agency) and other relevant state authorities and project stakeholders in Ukraine. In order to assess and prioritize necessary follow-up border infrastructure works and other trade facilitation measures, a comprehensive range of issues and the ongoing challenge in Ukraine needs to be taken into account, including traffic management at relevant BCPs, cross border flows, customs operations and inspections, information dissemination for operators, Ukraine expending the EU common transit convention (NCTS), etc.

Overall, given the volatile situation on the ground in Ukraine and changing priorities provided by relevant state authorities and the EU donor, the Consultant’s activities are diverse and encompass multiple areas, including research, negotiation, and on-site assessments, and are aimed at achieving positive impacts and outcomes for the project beneficiaries and stakeholders.

The expected outputs are:

1. Serve as a technical referent of the Migration and Border Governance Programme of IOM Ukraine in the areas of customs cooperation and trade facilitation, represent the Programme vis-à-vis UA state authorities and other international actors and provide overall technical guidance for customs related work of the Programme.
2. Develop and provide in written form the detailed scope, action plans, budget vs time estimations, ensure risk analysis within the proposed trade facilitation measures, that were positively considered by IOM and EUD.
3. Facilitate the project initiatives targeted at greater cooperation and coordination between Ukraine and EU MS, Ukraine and Moldova, representing the Migration and Border Governance Programme of IOM Ukraine as a technical expert within the customs domain, with a view to contributing to further implementation of EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes.
4. Develop and provide in written form the in-depth recommendations on the proposed trade facilitation measures and infrastructure development of a technical and legislative nature for the project beneficiaries, and stakeholders, including training seminars, knowledge products, comments on strategic documents, etc..
5. Develop and provide in written form the technical specifications and technical requirements for specialized customs control equipment (list of exact actions will be coordinated with IOM and the EU after the recommendations are presented). 
6. Facilitate the dialogue on the legal approximation of customs laws and regulations with EU acquis and international best practices, and specifically on cross-border and customs information exchange between (detailed list of exact actions will be coordinated with IOM and the EU after the initial recommendations are presented).
7. Provide written technical inputs upon request from the IOM Project Team on the implementation of the project activities in the customs domain and prepare relevant reporting outputs; perform other analyses upon the request of the IOM as assigned by IOM within the course of the project implementation or development. 
8. Respond in a timely manner to information requests from the EU donor related to customs and trade facilitation.
9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

The position requires remote (desk) work. However, on request a desk in the IOM office space can be arranged for meetings or conducting project-related activities, if requested.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

The expected main deliverable is the in-depth recommendations of a technical and legislative nature containing the information on further intervention options, detailing the scope, potential impact of next priority short-term actions in border infrastructure improvement and other trade facilitation measures. The delivery of advisory service to the Government of Ukraine, IOM and the project stakeholders is to be reported in a Consultant’s monthly reports (paid monthly) and approved by the project staff.

Timeframe: up to 80 working days within 7 months period with possibility of extension, commencing after the Consultancy Contract is signed by IOM and the Consultant. 

The deliverable is considered successfully fulfilled after the final version of the expert’s recommendations of a technical and legislative nature is coordinated with the IOM. 

Travel required

Yes.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and/or skills required

• Master’s Degree preferably in International Communications, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Finances or related field from an accredited academic institution.    
• At least ten years of relevant experience.
• Extensive knowledge in the EU alignment processes for customs and border operations. 
• Fluency in English. Working knowledge of Ukrainian is an advantage. 
• Excellent communication, reporting and writing skills.

Required Skills

• Excellent communication, reporting and writing skills.
• Extensive knowledge in the EU alignment processes for customs and border operations.

Job info