Technical Assistance to BOI for Implementation of Sectoral Reforms
(Agri-Business, Tourism & Hospitality, Information & Communication Technology),
under the Pakistan Regulatory Modernization Initiative (PRMI)

 

A consulting firm of repute urgently 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

• Agri-Business Reforms Expert (18 person days)
• Tourism/Hospitality Reforms Expert (18 person days)
• Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Reforms Expert (18 person days)
• Legal Expert(s) (7 person days, each, for 3 experts)
• Economist (5 person days)

 

2.     Objective of the Consultancy:

• Provide technical support and guidance to BOI and IPA in finalizing the reform cases.
• Gather additional information and evidence in the form of relevant SROs, office orders, rules, regulations, amendments etc., to substantiate and back up the reform cases.
• Assist with follow up dialogue with regulatory bodies to expedite the acceptance and implementation of the identified reforms.
• Provide technical inputs, legal opinion, and guidance to regulatory bodies in revising obsolete, redundant, or overly complex regulations, acts, policies, to help enable a simple, efficient business environment for the local private sector and foreign investors.

 

3.     Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

This assignment will require the consultant team to perform activities including, but not limited to the following:

 

• Analyze each reform in terms of source of authority, legislation, regulation, decree, agencies involved, administering authority (federal, provincial or local government agency), procedural links with other agencies, and develop a description of the implementation requirements.
• Collect necessary laws, acts, policies, regulations etc. pertaining to the reforms identified through primary and secondary sources.
• Consult the current state of identified reforms, to check with private sector on whether the changes proposed are considered likely to address the regulatory problems effectively – and the public sector – to check on whether the changes are feasible in the context of government procedures. Based on such review, recommend plans for reforms accelerated implementation at federal, provincial and district levels.
• As per need, conduct one to one consultation and dialogue with public and private sector stakeholders to make the reform process effective and sustainable.
• Provide necessary technical inputs, and guidance to assist the BOI in taking the reform cases to relevant regulators.
• Carrying out coordination across government to sequence reform agenda. Consider existing capacities of different entities and levels of government in planning and implementing reforms, analyze existence of mechanisms to ensure timely decision-making especially for cross-cutting reforms, the clarity of roles and responsibilities in the implementation of reforms, and the existence of a focal point in government for coordination.
• Advice BOI with the necessary steps to ensure implementation of the recommended reforms, which are agreed with the relevant authorities. 
• Examine the revenue / costs associated and economic impact to be generated through the implementation of reforms.
• Build a short political economy analysis for each reform case to help focus efforts where there is most resistance to change. 
• Assess the impact of selected regulatory reforms on businesses and investors with special focus on gender, youth and social inclusion. Also assess the effect on different groups and document best practices for women and youth friendly reforms
• Provide support to BOI in advocacy, awareness and sustainable adoption of the reforms.

 4.     Specific Tasks of the Consultants:

• Meet with IPA COP, BEE and IP Workstream Leads and other team members as well as Secretary, Additional Secretary BOI and functional teams (federal and provincial) and the Provincial Boards of Investment and the Special Investment Facilitation Committee as required.  to discuss various aspects related to this assignment.
• Develop a fair understanding of the reforms identified for implementation.
• Meet with relevant regulatory bodies, chambers, associations, businesses to develop strong understanding of their perspective on the specific reforms identified to come up with sector specific workable recommendations and implementation plans. 

Sector Experts

• Sector Experts will assist with the development of technical notes and guidance documents to help with modifications in sector specific acts, policies, regulations, processes etc. 
• Based on the reform proposals identified by IPA and agreed with BOI so far, the sector experts will be responsible for gathering and advising with additional technical inputs to help take up the reforms for subsequent discussion with relevant government department, ministry, regulatory body, authority etc.
• To conduct and state the impact of the proposed reforms (qualitative and quantitative analysis)

Legal Expert(s)

• Legal expert(s) will complement the work of sector experts by proposing and drafting necessary changes in the laws, acts, regulations etc., for the adoption of new changes to facilitate businesses and investment realization in Pakistan. Best practices in the shape of international laws, procedures and compliances will be taken into consideration for reforming the local laws.

Economist

• The Economist will analyze socioeconomic implications of reforms proposals and provide rationale and cost benefit analysis for reforms implementation and adoption.  

 

5.     Required Qualifications

The Consultants need to have knowledge of, and/or proven expertise in, conducting sectoral need assessments and drafting reports / reforms for various government, donor-funded or private sector associations; and possess demonstrable experience of having worked on all the diverse sectoral reform areas that need to be reviewed and advised on for the purposes of this assignment.

Required qualifications for respective positions are mentioned, below:

 

Agri-Business Expert

• Master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or other related field from a university of repute 
• At least 10 years of experience related to sectoral analysis, regulations and reforms.  
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the national, provincial, local regulatory, legal and policy environment pertaining to Agri- businesses. 
• Sound understanding of issues related to role of investment and trade in the economy, particularly in context of agriculture sector. 
• Experienced in conducting desk-based research and primary research.  
• Experience in undertaking in-depth consultations with stakeholders at all levels. 
• Competent in handling and analyzing data. 
• Previous experience of working with USAID projects, in the area of economic growth, will be preferred. 
• Excellent communication and report writing skills

 

Tourism / Hospitality Expert

• Master’s degree in Tourism / Hospitality or related field from a university of repute 
• At least 10 years of experience related to Tourism / Hospitality related sectoral analysis, regulations, and reforms.  
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the national, provincial, local regulatory, legal and policy environment pertaining to the sector.  
• Sound understanding of issues related to role of investment and trade in the economy, particularly in context of tourism / hospitality sector. 
• Experienced in conducting desk-based research and primary research.  
• Experience in undertaking in-depth consultations with stakeholders at all levels. 
• Competent in handling and analyzing data. 
• Previous experience of working with USAID projects, in the area of economic growth, will be preferred. 
• Excellent communication and report writing skills 

 

Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Expert

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Software Development or related field from a university of repute 
• At least 10 years of experience related to ICT sectoral analysis, regulations and reforms.  
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the national, provincial, local regulatory, legal and policy environment pertaining to ICT. 
• Sound understanding of issues related to role of investment and trade in the economy, particularly in context of ICT sector. 
• Experienced in conducting desk-based research and primary research.  
• Experience in undertaking in-depth consultations with stakeholders at all levels. 
• Competent in handling and analyzing data. 
• Previous experience of working with USAID projects, in the area of economic growth, will be preferred. 
• Excellent communication and report writing skills 

 

Legal Experts (one expert/sector)

• Bachelor of Law (LLB) or Master’s degree in Law (LLM) or other relevant field from a reputed local or international university (preferred).
• At least 7-10 years of experience in drafting laws, rules, regulations, and related legal instruments, with a background experience in agriculture/tourism & hospitality/ICT sector (as applicable).
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the national, provincial, local regulatory, legal and policy environment pertaining to IPA’s priority sectors for reforms.
• Strong knowledge and experience of analyzing and drafting laws, acts, policies, rules and regulations and familiarity with the PRMI initiative of the government.
• Experience in conducting dialogue, consultations and interactions with stakeholders at all levels.
• Familiarity with USAID funded projects would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.

 

Economist

• Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Business or related field 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.
• Good understanding of the existing investment climate, business environment, macro-economic policy, legal and regulatory framework and institutional arrangements at federal and provincial level.
• Experienced in conducting desk-based research and primary research.
• Competent in handling and analyzing data.
• Previous experience of working with USAID projects, in the area of economic growth, will be preferred.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills

 

6.     Duty Station:

The team will work with related IPA and BoI personnel, based in Islamabad. Field visits to various locations for consultations may take place.

 

7.     Duration of the Assignment:

This job is planned to take place as per a start date of, on or around, December 15, 2023, (depending on the mobilization of team) and end date of, on or around, June 30, 2024.

 

8.     Deliverables:

The consultants will be working as a team and shall be responsible for completing the deliverables related to their role on the overall assignment.

 

Key deliverables:

Technical Notes on Reform Cases for Agribusiness, Hospitality & Tourism, and ICT sector

 

Planned Activities:

• Kick-off and detailed meetings with IPA team and BOI
• Gathering data/relevant information to substantiate and finalize reform cases (14) that have been decided for immediate implementation
• Conduct additional research, dialogue, and gather information for finalizing reform cases (16) for long term implementation.
• Meetings, consultations, and discussions with relevant public and private stakeholders to gather additional technical inputs
• Development of final technical notes and guidance documents for reforms implementation, along with specifying expertise/tasks for engaging legal experts and other expertise as required under the common resource pool
• Develop fair understanding of proposed reforms and analyze necessary laws, acts, policies, regulations etc.
• Proposing and making necessary changes in the laws, acts, regulations etc., for the adoption of reforms. Document best practices in the shape of international laws, procedures and compliances for reforming the local laws.
• Lead dialogue with relevant regulatory bodies to inform changes, consensus building and implementation of reforms

 

A detailed scope of work is attached with this advertisement.

 

------------------------------