Phytosanitary expert on analysis of legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of SPS regulation

Информация

Общие сведения

BRIEF INFORMATION:

The goal of USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity is to improve region-wide trade connectivity to accelerate economic growth and increase economic opportunity in Central Asia through harmonization of customs and border procedures, increasing public-private dialogue on trade and investment, improving cross-border firm-to-firm connectivity, and addressing gender-relevant trade issues. USAID Trade Central Asia activity will support women traders and businesses in the region by reviewing current trade policies and practices for bias against women and designing activities to help women overcome these challenges.

One of the main goals of the TCA is to develop the competitive export potential of Kyrgyz producers to ensure the sustainable economic growth of the country. Central Asia is one of the most dynamically developing regions in the world, with significant potential for future progress. Moreover, Central Asia plays a key role in agriculture, producing grain, cotton, fruits, vegetables, and other food products. Agriculture and its processing, as well as related services, are an important source of income for many countries in the region (20-25% of GDP in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), and about two-thirds of Central Asia's population live in rural areas. Trade is becoming a driving force of economic progress. Many countries rely on trading large volumes of plants and plant products, such as grain, fruits, vegetables, and wood. However, trade can also lead to the introduction and spread of harmful organisms that pose a threat to natural plant resources, agricultural crops, biodiversity, and forestry. Therefore, it is important to encourage safe trade, preventing the spread of harmful organisms while avoiding the creation of unjustified trade barriers. Each country implements measures to ensure food safety for consumers and prevent the spread of harmful organisms and diseases among plants and animals. However, such sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures may have unintended consequences, such as restricting international trade. In many cases, these measures, including food safety requirements, animal quarantine, and inspection of plants and other agricultural products, apply independently of (and in addition to) standard customs formalities. They can be used at points of entry or exit from the country of origin, as well as at sites within the country's territory. If these measures are not well-designed or introduced without consultation with the private sector entities they affect, they can result in long and burdensome delays in releasing goods to consumers. Such consequences are undesirable because they inhibit rather than facilitate international trade, threatening competitiveness in regional and global markets. On the other hand, properly designed and implemented SPS measures ensure that trade management and regulation meet international standards, protect both domestic and foreign consumers from the spread of pests and diseases, and ensure that a country can benefit most from international trade.

In the Kyrgyz Republic, phytosanitary rules are currently in force, adopted by Decree of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 376 dated June 18, 2015. These rules regulate not only the procedures for the import of quarantine products into the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic but also the issuance of phytosanitary, re-export phytosanitary, and quarantine certificates. Due to the loss of relevance of these rules and procedures, it became necessary to analyze the current legislation in the field of SPS control and make changes to this resolution. In connection with the above, based on the results of meetings with the Phytosanitary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, the TCA program plans to assist in the analysis of current legislation in the field of SPS control and amend Government Resolution No. 376 dated June 18, 2015.

Objective:

The TCA program intends to engage an expert in the field of phytosanitary control to analyze the current legislation in the field of sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The expert’s task is to identify outdated and requiring changes regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as orders and algorithms of actions at checkpoints in this area. Based on this, the expert will have to propose appropriate adjustments and additions aimed at improving regulation in this area.

Требования

Required Qualifications:

    •    Knowledge of national legislation and international treaties and acts regarding SPS regulation, trade facilitation;

    •    5 years of experience in developing recommendations and proposals on SPS regulation;

    •    Excellent analytical and writing skills;

    •    Fluency in Russian;

    •    Upon successful completion of the recruitment process, the consultant must register or must already be registered as a sole trader.

Обязанности

Tasks:

The expert must:

    •    Conduct an analysis of the current legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of sanitary and phytosanitary control (SPS), as well as study all the country’s international obligations regarding control in this area.

    •    Based on the analysis, identify outdated and in need of changes decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, orders and algorithms of actions at checkpoints;

    •    If necessary, propose changes and additions to the above decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic regarding quarantine and phytosanitary measures.

    •    If necessary, formulate proposals for amending orders and algorithms of actions at checkpoints, including railway points.

    •    Prepare a justification certificate or several certificates for submission to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in order to document the need for changes in relevant regulations.

    •    Present the work done to the Phytosanitary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz  Republic 

Условия

Reporting:

The expert will report directly to USAID Central Asia Trade Program Country Director.

Please send your CV and letter of interest to the email address tca_recruitment@dai.com with vacancy title “Phytosanitary expert” in the subject line. Deadline for applications is 24 June 2024. Only applications sent by email will be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. No phone inquiries, please.