A consulting firm of repute needs to engage a team of consultants for this short-term assignment in one of its co-managed projects.

1.    Positions Title & level of effort

• Economist (Team Lead), 10 person days
• Sectoral Analysis Expert, 12 person days

2.    Objective of the Consultancy:

• The objective is to conduct an analytical review of the existing approach, methodology and technical capacity at the federal and provincial Boards of Investment, for selecting and prioritizing sectors for investment promotion.
• Recommendations, including guidelines for adopting appropriate sector selection and prioritization approach, will be made. 

3.    Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

The consultants will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Review the relevant literature.
• Hold meetings with Board of Investment (BOI); Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT); Investment Department, Government of Sindh; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KPBOIT) and the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBOIT) (other stakeholders from public and private sector relevant for this study) to learn about the existing mechanism and measures for shortlisting priority sectors, past experiences and their internal capabilities.
• Study international best practices and comparable country cases to replicate a similar approach in Pakistan.
• On the basis of analysis above, propose measures and identify viable methodologies for selection of priority sectors, with a view to attract and retain investments in the sectors which have the potential to contribute to economic growth.

4.    Specific Tasks of the Consultants:

Below are the areas to be covered in the study and the associated tasks:

• Meet with the relevant project team and USAID (if necessary) to understand the scope of the assignment and their expectations.
• Develop and submit a work plan for carrying out the assignment.
• Undertake desk research and review all the relevant literature relevant to the assignment.
• Consultations/ one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders including BOI, PBIT, KPBOIT, BBOIT, Investment Department Sindh and other relevant representatives from public and private sector important for this assignment.
• Prepare a short document for IPA on initial findings emanating from desk review and stakeholder consultations.
• Study international best practices and local feasible model.
• Development of a draft report.
• Incorporation of feedback received from IPA and USAID on the draft report.
• Work as a team and in close coordination with IPA to complete the tasks mentioned above and develop a final report on “Analytical Capacity Review of Priority Sectors at Board of Investment (BOI) and Provincial Boards of Investments”.

 Detailed Scope of Work is attached with this advertisement.

6.    Required Qualifications

This consultancy requires services of two experts having relevant experience to complete similar type of assignments in past. The experts are expected to have a reasonable number of years of experience in the respective field especially in terms of policy, research and analysis. 

Economist

• A master’s degree in Business, Economic and Public Administration from a reputed local or international university.
• At least 5 years of prior experience in undertaking research on economic development, investment promotion, sectoral research in Pakistan.
• Must have good understanding of the existing investment climate, business environment, macro-economic framework and institutional arrangements at federal and provincial level.
• Must have knowledge of the existing investment policies of federal and provincial governments and incentives.
• Previous experience of working with USAID projects in the field of ease of doing business, and investment and trade promotion will be preferred.
• Strong research, analytical and writing skills are needed.

Sector Analysis Expert

• A master’s degree in economics, development economics or development studies, from a reputed national or international university.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience, in undertaking research and diagnosis of sectors, market analysis, developing business plans, competitive and trend analysis.
• Must have understanding on the prevailing business environment and constraints faced by investors in Pakistan in terms of legal, regulatory and institutional barriers.
• Prior experience in undertaking sector mapping/ shortlisting, sector profiling or competitive analysis are needed.
• Experience of working with USAID projects or other donor projects in investment and business enabling environment will be preferred.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills are needed.

7.    Duty Station:

The consultant(s) will work with the related IPA personnel, based in Islamabad. Field visits to various locations for consultations may take place.

8.    Duration of the Assignment:

This will be an intermittent effort of 22 days of combined LOE, spread over a period of 1.5 months. This job is planned to take place as per a start date of on or around February 15, 2023, and end-date of on or March 31, 2023.

9.    Deliverables & Activities:

Final deliverable under this assignment is the report titled “Analytical Capacity Review of Priority Sectors at Board of Investment (BOI) and Provincial Boards of Investments”.

Activities, include:

• Kick off meeting with the IPA project to understand the scope of the assignment and associated tasks
• Submission of work plan
• Literature Review
• Meetings / discussions with BOI, PBIT, KPBOIT, BBOIT and Investment Department Sindh and other relevant stakeholders associated from public or private sector
• Preliminary Findings – update on initial findings and an analytical review of the existing approaches and processes followed by BOIs
• Review of international and local best practices/methodology
• Submission of Draft Report
• Incorporation of feedback from IPA and USAID

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