Vacancy Announcement Details

The Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) of the International Trade Centre (ITC) calls for expression of interest (EOI) is to identify a qualified consultants to conduct the country/regional baseline study. Individuals or teams of consultants are invited to apply for this assignment.

The programme: The EU-EAC MARKUP II is a Euro 40 million regional development initiative that promotes economic growth in the East African Community (EAC) through private sector development and export promotion running from 2023 to 2027. The project is targeting Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), sector associations and government institutions. It supports initiatives to reducing market access barriers, strengthening the quality compliance and standards, value addition, certification, training and capacity building for improved market access. Jointly designed by the EU, EAC Secretariat, relevant ministries, and government departments from the EAC Partner States, standard/quality organizations and public institutions, Business Support Organizations and East Africa Business Council (EABC), MARKUP II is implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and funded by the EU. The target countries are Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The EAC secretariat is also a direct beneficiary for some regional activities.

Objectives: To identify the ex-ante data to be used as baseline information of the project to facilitate tracking of project indicators /monitoring and reporting on project progress, considering the results of the MARKUP I project, wherever applicable. Specific objectives are, in a logic flow:

• Establish a detailed framework for the understanding of the status of trade practices and capacities among, individuals, SMEs, cooperatives, and BSOs in the targeted countries and sectors linked to the intervention logic.
• Consolidate and assess the consistency and quality of existing qualitative and quantitative data already collected.
• Collect additional data as needed in project locations, clarifying samples used and robustness of rate of responses.
• Provide the baseline and a benchmark / target against which project progress and impact can be measured, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) at the impact, outcome, and output levels.

Full details and application process are available on the ITC website.  Application deadline 5th August.