Job Description
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 (2018-2025), 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 will benefit potential 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 has identified Peru as a beneficiary of EDM technical assistance in order to deepen the economic and trade relationship between Canada and Peru, to increase the utilization of the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) and to support the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). To date, the principal focus of EDM technical assistance to Peru has been to strengthen trade policy capacity, including providing training on pre-merger review, risk-based food safety regulation and methodologies for economic impact assessment of trade agreements and the adoption of product standards. Support is also being provided to conduct an assessment of export financing needs among Peruvian businesses and to design government programs to address their most urgent access to capital needs.
A recent EDM mission to Peru was conducted to identify additional technical assistance needs. The mission found the Peruvian economy in a downturn, with estimates of GDP growth in 2023 at 1% or less. Despite a strong recovery from the pandemic, the economy has been negatively affected by recent social and political unrest, a weakening in global demand for natural resources and the impact of severe weather on agricultural production. A common theme among government and private sector stakeholders was the need to improve export performance, increase the resources available to strengthen government services and reduce poverty and inequality. For this reason, the priority targets of new EDM assistance are public and private sector trade support organizations, to build their capacity to deliver export services to Peruvian businesses.
In response to EDM’s invitation, PromPeru, the Government of Peru agency responsible for the promotion of exports and tourism, has requested technical assistance to expand exports in the handicrafts sector. Handicraft exports are relatively small but critically important to many communities, especially smaller centres, as well as women entrepreneurs. Exports have declined in recent years, due to the disruptions of the pandemic and social unrest, but also due to the failure of the handicrafts sector to adapt to changing consumer demands. Innovation in product design and production processes is needed, based on a better understanding of market trends and supported by more effective marketing approaches.
The specific focus of PromPeru’s request is the ceramic handicrafts industry of Chulucanas, located in northern Peru. The production of pottery based on techniques developed in pre-Inca times is a primary economic activity in the community on which the livelihood of many depends. The request calls for expertise in product development on the one hand and export development (consumer preferences, market demand, distribution channels, technical requirements, marketing of handicraft products, etc.) on the other. The target market for this export development assistance is North America – Canada and the United States.
An important dimension of this technical assistance is training trade support organization officials to undertake similar product and export development projects in other communities for handicraft products. EDM technical experts should work with TSO officials throughout the project, providing training and tools to replicate the activity, to expand the reach of the assistance beyond Chulucanas. For this purpose, PromPeru will invite the participation of regional government officials, the Chulucanas Centre for Technological Innovation in Ceramics (CITE CERAMICA), producer associations and other TSOs in this technical assistance project.
Linkage to EDM Performance Measurement Framework
This assistance is consistent with the EDM Performance Management Framework, Immediate Outcome 1220 Increased capacity of partner country MDAs to expand access to export-oriented economic opportunities for SMEs, particularly those led by women, Indigenous or other community-based organizations
The assistance is also aligned with the EDM Country Needs Assessment Plan for Peru, Mandate 3: benefiting from trade and investment agreements with Canada.
Description of Technical Assistance Request/Key Responsibilities
The technical expert(s) will:
- Conduct a gender-sensitive assessment of the existing export offer, potential and constraints of the Chulucanas ceramic handicrafts sector, based on on-site visits and consultations with producers, including women and Indigenous Peoples, industry stakeholders and TSO officials;
- Prepare an analysis of the North American (Canada and the US) market for ceramic handicraft products, including market trends, consumer preferences, mandatory and voluntary import requirements, distribution channels and other relevant information, and present this analysis to producers, industry stakeholders and TSO officials in an in-person seminar;
- Design and deliver an in-person workshop on ceramic product design and innovation, export development and marketing strategies for producers, including women and Indigenous Peoples, industry stakeholders and TSO officials;
- Design and deliver a workshop supporting gender-sensitive and inclusive training materials and analytical tools to prepare TSO officials to undertake similar product development and export development strategies in other communities for other handicraft products.
The EDM promotes gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability as cross-cutting objectives of all technical assistance. Proposals should explain how these objectives will be integrated into the assistance activity, including through the participation of women, conflict victims (forced displacement) and Indigenous-owned businesses in the consultations, seminars and workshops, as well as identifying strategies for these businesses to benefit from increased exports.
Technical Expert Profile/Expertise Required
Teams bidding for this technical assistance activity must demonstrate expert knowledge and extensive experience in the following:
- export development and the design of export strategies the North American market for handicraft products and home décor products
- handicraft product development advice based on market and consumer trends
- effective handicraft product marketing strategies
- stakeholder engagement and facilitation
- the delivery of trade-related technical assistance to developing countries
- the design and delivery of adult education activities
- environmental sustainability trends in ceramic handicraft production and market demand
The integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations in the design and delivery of TA, preferably in the handicrafts sector: 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
The recruitment of experts is expected to be completed by May 2024, and the technical assistance activity is expected to be completed by October 30, 2024.
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 written report on the current offer, potential and constraints of the ceramic handicrafts sector in Chulucanas, including summaries of the consultations with producers, industry stakeholders and TSO officials.
- Draft and final written report on the North American market for ceramic handicrafts and home decor products.
- Draft and final workshop agendas and presentation materials
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:
3.13 - Consultant Last Name, First Name (or Organisation’s 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); Describe 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); Describe 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); Outline your project management and monitoring strategy for the implementation of the activities (up to 2 pages maximum). Indicate 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 provide consulting rates (in CAD) for each proposed personnel 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 [email protected].
About us
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors, and communities to implement projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, and environmental improvements, as well as advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.