Expert in FTA disciplines on state-owned enterprises and related public sector administration

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Expert in FTA disciplines on state-owned enterprises and related public sector administration
Sector: Trade policy and negotiations 
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 identified Ecuador as a beneficiary of EDM technical assistance in the context of free trade negotiations, launched in April 2024 and concluded in January 2025.  The objective of the agreement is to deepen the trade relationship with Ecuador as part of Canada’s export diversification strategy.  Canada-Ecuador bilateral trade is small, but growing, totaling $1.3 billion CAD in 2023, an increase of 36% over 2021.    Canada also has significant investments in Ecuador, principally in the mining sector and totaling $4.4 billion in 2023.  Canadian foreign direct investment has tripled over the past five years, making Canada the largest foreign investor in Ecuador.

Ecuador made significant progress between 2000 and 2019 in improving development indicators and expanding the economy.  The COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic impact on the economy, reducing GDP by 7.8% in 2020.  The economic downturn contributed to an increase in crime – including drug trafficking and organized crime, violent conflict and civil and political turmoil.  The Government of Ecuador has taken strong measures, since 2020, to reestablish stability and economic growth, and to build “an economy at the service of society”. 

An important part of the plan is to diversify export products and markets, and to attract foreign investment through new trade agreements.  New agreements were negotiated with Costa Rica and China in 2023.  By the end of 2021 GDP growth fully recovered from the downturn during COVID and growth of 8.4% was achieved between 2021 and 2023.

As part of the agreement with Canada, Ecuador has, for the first time, taken obligations that regulate the behaviour of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and ensure that their commercial activities generally operate according to market principles, providing a level playing field for all competitors.  EDM technical experts supported Ecuador in the negotiation of the agreement, providing training on the history, evolution, substance and effect of FTA provisions on SOEs.  This assistance contributed to the development of Ecuador’s negotiating positions and agreement on the SOE Chapter of the agreement.  

To assist Ecuador in meeting these obligations, the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries of Ecuador (MPFTIF) has requested technical assistance to guide the implementation of the agreement, including any legislative regulatory, policy, program and machinery of government changes required. 

In addition, training for banking sector officials has been requested on the OECD Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits, the international standard for the orderly use of officially supported export credits on which many of the SOE disciplines are based.

Short description
This technical assistance will support Ecuador’s implementation of the free trade agreement concluded with Canada in January 2025.   EDM experts will provide advice on the implementation of the state-owned enterprises provisions of the agreement and deepen the understanding of the OECD Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits, on which several of the obligations in the agreement are based.

Linkage to EDM Performance Measurement Framework
This assistance is consistent with the EDM Performance Management Framework, Immediate Outcomes 1210 and 1310:

• Enhanced ability of partner country ministries, department and agencies to strengthen, develop, and execute legislation, regulations and policies supporting the implementation of sustainable and inclusive trade and investment agreements with Canada.
• Increased abilities among targeted private sector organizations to adapt to and benefit from trade and investment agreements with Canada.
  

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

1. Design and deliver a training program for relevant public sector officials on the implementation of the state-owned enterprises provisions of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement; and
2. Design and deliver a training program for public sector officials responsible for the implementation of the agreement, and private sector banking officials, on the OECD Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits, its implementation in Canada and other countries, and its implications for Ecuadorian banking institutions.
   The training should include a “train-the-trainer” component, and the delivery of the training programs should be designed as pilots to prepare MPFTIF officials to replicate the training in the future.
   

The training can be delivered virtually or in-person.  The preference is for virtual training sessions to be of limited duration, to facilitate participation (for example, training modules of 2-hours).  

Note: If in person, the technical expert is responsible for managing and executing all logistics to ensure the smooth operation of the Technical Assistance Activity. This includes, but is not limited to, arranging hotels, flights, catering, translation services, audiovisual equipment, participant per diems, transportation, and accommodation. The EDM team will provide guidance to the technical expert throughout the process, ensuring adherence to EDM and Global Affairs Canada guidelines.

The training and all related materials will be delivered in Spanish.   The costs of translation and simultaneous interpretation can be funded by EDM separately and do not need to be included in bidders’ proposals.

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 the participating officials from MPFTIF, Vice Ministry of Foreign Trade, and representatives of state-owned enterprises and private sector banking institutions.  Indirectly, consumers will benefit from greater competition in the marketplace, better quality products and services, lower prices and greater choice.  The effective implementation of SOE obligations in the agreement will also strengthen both public and private sector governance.

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

• the SOE provisions in free trade agreements and their implementation in public policy and programs;
• the OCED Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits and its implications for banking institutions;
• the design and delivery of trade-related training programs;
• adult education methods and the design of train-the-trainer programs;
• the delivery of trade-related technical assistance to developing countries
• the integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations in the design and delivery of trade technical assistance; and
• the integration of environmental sustainability trends in trade policy and negotiations into trade technical assistance.
  

Note: The EDM includes a core focus on gender and social inclusion and environmental issues associated with trade activities.  Successful applicants must research and integrate specific good and emerging practices in these areas, partnering with other expert consultants if necessary.  Any prior experience providing TA on gender equality, social inclusion, and the environment will be considered a strong asset.   Before starting activities, the successful consultant(s) will be required to complete the Government of Canada’s online Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) training (approximately 2 hours).

Timelines
Deadline to apply is April 11, 2025. The technical assistance activity is expected to be completed by August 31, 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 training program outlines, programs and teaching materials (presentations, handouts, lesson plans, etc.).
• 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:

8.8 - 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.

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