Chemonics seeks a short-term senior customs and gender specialist for the USAID
Feed the Future Bangladesh Improving Trade and Business Enabling Environment Activity, implemented by the International Development Group (IDG) and with Chemonics as a subcontractor. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
The USAID and Feed the Future Bangladesh Improving Trade and Business Enabling Environment Activity (Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity) aims to improve
economic growth in Bangladesh through the following objectives: (I) Improving Trade Facilitation; (II) Improving Business Enabling Environment; and (III) Promoting Best Practices in Economic Growth Activities and their Application.
Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity works to deliver
technical assistance and
capacity building to support the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and improve the business enabling environment. The project works with key public agencies, private sector stakeholders, and
Civil Society Organizations. Work activities draw on best practices and regional experiences in order to build support for initiatives aimed at simplifying documentary requirements for imports and exports. The project supports strengthening technical capacity across border agencies and modernizing procedures through digitization and ICT.
In addition to the three activity objectives, there is a fourth cross-cutting objective focused on gender and inclusivity. The inclusion of all people (women, persons with disabilities, youth, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups) is central to the achievement of USAID’s goals and objectives for Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity. Even when laws and regulations are theoretically gender and minority group neutral, they may still result in biased outcomes that can have significant effects on access to and control of economic resources. Trade and
trade policy affect women as workers and consumers with tangible effects on wages, consumption, welfare, as well as on the quantity and quality of jobs. Taking
gender equality into account in trade-related interventions may help to obtain better outcomes for the entire population.
Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity is utilizing the WCO Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT) in our planned activities with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Customs to assess gender issues and set performance indicators. The Activity will conduct a gender assessment to ensure that training addresses the gender dynamics and will provide training on gender awareness, gender equality, and women in leadership for border officials in order to reduce harassment as well as promote the retention of women in leadership positions in NBR.
Within this context, Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity is seeking an international short-term technical assistant for the position of Senior Customs and Gender Specialist to conduct a gender assessment at NBR using the WCO GEOAT.
Responsibilities Include
The senior customs and gender specialist shall carry out the following tasks:
- Conduct a desk review of available documentation, including proposal documents; WCO toolkit Gender Equality Organizational Assessment tool (GEOAT); WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA) entered into force in 2017.
- Develop research tools, e.g., sampling methodology, survey questionnaires, focus group discussion guides, key informant interview guides. Prepare assessment tools as per guideline on WCO toolkit Gender Equality Organizational Assessment tool (GEOAT); WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA).
- Conduct qualitative analysis and draft an assessment report. The report should analyze the data collected and identify specific concrete goals and objectives to strengthen gender-responsive policies, practices, and organizational culture at NBR.
- Prepare a compilation of activities undertaken in other countries to engage women in trade, particularly at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) level, highlighting approaches that can be implemented in Bangladesh.
- Prepare general recommendations on how to empower women in trade in Bangladesh and engage them in the work of the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
- Produce the final gender assessment report and deliver a presentation on findings and conclusions to project staff and other key stakeholders.
The Feed the Future Bangladesh Improving Trade and Business Enabling Environment Activity is implemented by the International Development Group (IDG), with Chemonics International as a subcontractor. This consultancy will be hired under Chemonics, but report to the IDG Activity
Chief of Party or his designee through regular briefings and day-to-day dialogue.
Qualifications
- MA or above in gender and development or a related field
- 15+ years of professional experience in customs and gender
- 10+ years specific experience in gender and women’s empowerment issues and perspectives
- 5+ years specific experience in trade/customs and gender in at least three developing economies; experience in Bangladesh preferred
- Experience with the WCO Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT)
- Strong demonstrated research, analysis, data collection, and technical writing skills required
- Strong communication skills, client-orientated, ability to work in a team
- Proficient in Microsoft applications and other standard software
- Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
- Fluent in English
Please submit your CV to bitbeerecruit@gmail.com with the subject “Attn: ST Customs and Gender Specialist Application [YOUR NAME]” by August 2, 2021. No telephone inquiries, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and Chemonics will only contact finalists.
Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.
