Support to the Ministry of Economic Development in Azerbaijan

Key expert 1: Team Leader – Project Coordinator and Direct Institutional Advisor to the MED

  Indicative duration of the assignment:  400 m/d throughout 24 months.   - Based: Baku  

 His/her position is key to the achievement of the necessary co-ordination with the project partner, national authorities and stakeholders. The position will require an individual of outstanding management capability and possessing a thorough understanding of the political, legal and human resource dynamics of public administration and of place and role of government in open market economy.

  Qualifications and skills

  ·       Advanced University degree or equivalent in public policy, business administration, human resources management or other related subjects.

·       Ability to supervise and coordinate a team of international and local experts demonstrated by record of management experience in multicultural environments

·       Strong organizational and planning skills and ability to oversee administrative, logistical support, and financial matters related to the project implementation.

·       Good presentation and public relations skills to ensure effective communication with clients and partners

·       Full command of English language (written and oral)

·       Fluency in spoken Azerbaijani or Russian would be an advantage.

  General professional experience

  ·       At least 10 years of overall professional experience in domains relevant to this assignment – of which 3 at least in management positions

·       Experience in public administration reform, civil service reform and human resources management

·       General experience with training, capacity building, and institution building activities/ policies

·       Proven track record in managing multi-disciplined donor funded development assistance projects preferably in transition economies.

  Specific professional experience

  ·       At least 3 years experience in working with modern human resources management systems applied by public administrations and in providing advice on HR strategic planning and core issues – including e.g. organizational policies, career development,  staff training, etc.

·       Track record on development and design of PA staff training programs, needs assessments and HR development programs

·       Experience as Team Leader in at least two EC funded assistance projects in ex-Phare, ex-Cards, or ex-Tacis countries

·       Experience in public administration and civil service reform programs

·       Knowledge of EC procedures for external action and development assistance

·       At least one long-term role in a CIS country would be an advantage   

·       Knowledge of the economic environment of Azerbaijan and experience of working in the country would be a plus

Key expert 2: Economist – Senior expert on macroeconomic analysis/forecasting and economic policy making

 Indicative duration of the assignment: is 300 m/d throughout 24 months -Based: Baku

  Qualifications and skills

  ·       Advanced University degree or equivalent in Economics, Finance, or other relevant field

·       Strong background in macroeconomics/developing and transition economies/policy making

·       Ability to draft economic policy papers, prepare relevant training, identify policy implementation priorities

·       Knowledge of macroeconomic modelling/forecasting techniques and economic policy instruments

·       Economic data processing

·       Training skills

·       Command of written and spoken English; fluency in Azerbaijani or Russian would be an asset

  General professional experience

  ·       At least 10 years' overall professional experience areas relevant to this assignment, of which at least 3 in the assessment and/or design of economic policy models

·       Proven track record of working closely with government bodies responsible for national economic and/or financial policies

·       Experience as a development economist for international or bilateral donors, IFIs, EU, NGOs or other relevant agency. 

·       Experience in transition economies

 Specific professional experience

  ·       Substantial professional experience in preparing models/forecasts for the mid-to-longer term development of transition economies

·       Proven track record of work in conducting economic analysis and training national government representatives on principles of economic analysis and forecasting methods

·       Experience in providing advice or preparing plans on economic policy measures

·       At least two experiences as economic advisor or similar in donor-funded projects and/or government bodies in ex-Phare, ex-Cards, or ex-Tacis countries

·       One long-term experience in a CIS country would be a strong advantage

Key expert 3: Trade Economist

 Indicative duration of the assignment: is 300 m/d - Based: Baku

  Qualifications and skills

  ·       Advanced University degree or equivalent in Economics, Trade, or other relevant field

·       Strong background in trade systems and policies, trade and development, WTO, etc.

·       Ability to analyze national trade policies, economic indicators, and international trade systems cost/benefit study, impact assessments, etc.

·       Economic data processing

·       Training skills

·       Command of written and spoken English; fluency in Azerbaijan or Russian would be an asset

  General professional experience

  ·       At least 10 years' overall professional experience areas relevant to this assignment, of which at least 3 in the field of trade policy

·       Proven track record of working closely with government bodies responsible for national trade and/or economic policies

·       Experience in transition economies

 Specific professional experience

  ·       Demonstrated knowledge of the WTO system (requirements, commitments, regulations, etc.)

·       Experience e with EU external trade policy and proven knowledge of EU-ENPI trade relations in particular

·       Experience with analysis, impact assessments of EU common agricultural policy (CAP) and related issues, and on the EU generalized system of preferences (GSP)

·       Proven experience in training and/or capacity building programs on trade issues

·       At least two experiences as economic/trade advisor or similar in donor-funded projects and/or government bodies in ex-Phare, ex-Cards, or ex-Tacis countries

Key expert 4: Expert on regional economics and regional policy

 Indicative duration of the assignment: is 400 m/d - Based: Baku and regions

 Qualifications and skills

  ·       University degree or equivalent in economics, regional policy, public policy, or similar fields

·       Thorough knowledge of decentralized cooperation, regional economic policy making, and municipal/regional administration policy

·       Ability to analyse economic performance of small scale regional economic activities (SMEs, farms, small commerce, etc.) and assess prospects for growth

·       Familiarity with regional/local public administration dynamics

·       Command of English; Fluency in spoken Russian

·       Knowledge of Azerbaijani language would be an advantage.

  General professional experience

  ·       At least 7 years overall work experience in a relevant area– institutional building at regional or local level, economic policy advice, regional economic development.

  Specific professional experience

  ·       Experience in regional policy analysis and drafting

·       Proven track record of managing economic development interventions at local/regional level (may include microfinance experience, small business, SMEs)

·       At least one long term experience in a CIS country

·       Knowledge of Azerbaijan and previous in-country experience would be a strong advantage.