Level of Effort: 30 person weeks over the period January to August Project deliverables produced within budget and on schedule.

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1 Request for Proposals Title: National Aid for Trade Strategy - Botswana Reference: NXCWG0898/BOTS/1 Location: Botswana Closing Date: 10 December2015 Level of Effort: 30 person weeks over the period January to August Budget: 30,000 (fees) (eligible expenses) Requirements: Local/International consultant Key Performance Indicators Project deliverables produced within budget and on schedule. Competencies Postgraduate qualifications in International Trade, Economics, Business or Management. At least 10 years international experience in national and/or sector strategy development for exports, preferably acquired on projects for emerging or developing economies Sound knowledge of Aid for Trade initiatives, WTO enhanced integrated framework, TFAF facilities and donor trade development programs Considerable expertise in the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M & E) frameworks for the delivery of capacity building projects. A proven track record in supporting local institutions to utilise M & E frameworks. Ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders Good understanding of the policy and trade/business environment of Botswana/SADC/SACU will be an added advantage How to apply: This invitation is open to consultants who are nationals of Commonwealth member countries; consulting firms; legally registered entities in Commonwealth jurisdictions. Proposals should clearly indicate: Technical approach and methodology proposed to undertake activities outlined in the scope of work (not more than 8 pages). Individual consultants

2 should state their approach and methodology within the accompanying bid letter. Proposed work plan and milestones Proposed budget with all costs clearly broken down Detailed CVs of the proposed team members A breakdown of tasks and responsibilities between the team members

3 Terms of Reference Background: The Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Trade and Industry has requested the Secretariat to provide technical assistance for the development of a National strategy for Aid for Trade (AfT) and Trade Facilitation related initiatives. The strategy is expected to be in line with the WTO Aid for Trade initiative and is required to feed into the SADC regional Aid for Trade strategy where members have been encouraged to prepare national strategies. Although Market liberalisation creates economic potential for developing and LDC countries, at the same time, it also poses risks for sustainable development given their limited trade competitive capacities. Aid for Trade initiatives help these countries tackle some of the supply side constraints and trade related infrastructural deficiencies that impede their ability to participate more effectively in global trade and seeks to mitigate some of the adjustments cost due to liberalisation. The WTO TFAF initiative seeks to mobilize resources to address the trade-related constraints identified by developing and LDCs and encourages developed country members and donors to recognize the role that trade can play in development by committing a percentage of their overall development assistance (ODA) to trade programs and activities. Botswana is a landlocked mid income country in Southern Africa that continues to contend with the challenge of an undiversified economy. Despite its middle-income status, Botswana struggles with the challenges emanating from its narrow economic structure and the associated over-dependence on the mining sector, in particular diamonds. Botswana s contribution to world trade remains quite minimal at around 0.006% and at regional level (SADC) remains below 10% having reached a low of 5% in Botswana s export are dominated by minerals, in particular diamonds, contributing over 80% followed by copper nickel which contributes about 7%. This trend has been a great concern to the country owing to sustainability and in view of the volatility of the commodities market and the predicted decline in the diamond revenue. It is estimated that the main diamond deposits will be exhausted between 2025 and In addition, the mining sectors contribution to employment is quite minimal. Economic diversification remains a priority for the government. In June 2015, Botswana ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) signed at the BALI Ministerial in 2013, making it the 8th member country of the WTO to do so. The top three priority sectors identified by the country for AfT in order of preference were Export Diversification, Competitiveness and Transport infrastructure. In 2013, the country received $10million in AfT funding from its donor partners with most disbursement going into the transport and storage sector.

4 Botswana has benefitted from a number of Aid for Trade initiatives in the past funded by its development partners and donor agencies. However, there has been a lack of structured approach to the implementation of these initiatives resulting from a lack of proper national coordination and making the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the initiatives difficult. The highest contributor to Botswana s AfT programs in 2013 was Japan contributing a total of 52% of AfT disbursements in the country. Other contributors are Sweden (18%) BADEA (14%) AfDB (5%) and Canada (4%). The top three priority sectors identified by the country for AfT in order of preference were Export Diversification, Competitiveness and Transport infrastructure. In 2013, the country received $10million in AfT funding from its donor partners with most disbursement going into the transport and storage sector. A cursory look at the available data shows that AfT disbursement have not necessarily been in the areas of priority identified by the government. The Strategy will outline Botswana priority areas for assistance (technical and financial) across sectors. It will generally provide strategic guidance for the country to position itself to attract and take advantage of AfT resources in pursuit of efforts to diversify the economy, create employment and reduce poverty. It will also put in place a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation of such assistance. Objective: 1. The consultancy will be required to develop a National Aid for Trade Strategy for Botswana that is consistent with the WTO AfT initiative and can feed into the regional work program of SADC and other regional groupings to which Botswana is a member. 2. The strategy is expected to articulate the country s priorities for negotiating access to and efficient use of aid and investment to bolster its international trade. 3. The strategy will fit into the country s national development plan and trade policy and incorporate a mapping study of the existing Marco economic environment, a justification for Aid for Trade as well as existing donor support and Aid flows. 4. Development of an implementation scheme with a monitoring and evaluation framework built to ensure sustainability and track results. Tasks: The research would be carried out through a combination of desk research, literature review, focus group discussions and key informant interviews including face-to-face consultations with donor agencies, international and regional organizations. The Consultant would be expected to carry out the following specific activities:

5 Stage 1: Diagnostics and Strategy Development a) Review the baseline study undertaken in the first phase of the project on the bilateral and multilateral donor organisations active in trade development assistance in Botswana including international and regional organisations and identify gaps in funding patterns and opportunities for in engaging with development partners. b) Review the report of the macroeconomic situational analysis and existing mining and non-mining trade flows that identify opportunities for export expansion including potentials for both product and market diversification. c) Working with the Ministry of Trade, National Development and Finance, conduct stakeholder consultations with identified agencies. This should include relevant Botswana government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donor partners, regional and international organisations, the organised private sector, and Civil society d) Identify any gender issues that should be taken into account to ensure equitable access to AfT opportunities. e) Design an AfT strategy that articulates the objectives listed above f) Present the draft strategy at a stakeholder consultation with representatives from the Regional secretariat, the OPS and Civil society and donor community g) Prepare a final document to be submitted to the Government of Botswana Stage 2: Implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation Plan a) Develop a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the strategy, including templates to be used by implementing agencies. b) Work with key implementing agencies to develop detailed action matrices to support implementation. c) Develop an annualised implementation plan for the strategy period. d) Present the draft implementation plan to stakeholders. e) Submit the final Implementation Plan. Deliverables/Timeline Inception Report following the first mission to Botswana, within 8 weeks of signing the contract. (To include a situation report, work plan and draft layout of the AfT strategy) A Progress Report, which covers progress made under Stage 1 tasks a-g of the Scope of Work, delivered after 12 weeks. Draft AfT document and Strategic Action Plans to be presented at a National Stakeholders forum by week 18.

6 The final draft of the strategy and Strategic Action Plan by week 22. The final draft Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation framework with clear indicators, baselines, targets, timelines with accountable officers indicated by week 26. Launch of the AfT strategy by week 30. Approach and Implementation Arrangements The project will be supervised by the Trade Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) which is the main client for this project will provide access to office space, organise meetings and provide administrative support. The assignment will be delivered through a stakeholder-driven approach. The consultant(s) is expected to work closely with stakeholder teams in designing the strategy. The consultant(s) is expected to facilitate/moderate a number of Stakeholder Dialogue consultations and other meetings at key stages of the assignment.