Terms of Reference
Design of Mozambique’s second National Export Strategy
1. Background
The Commonwealth Secretariat is providing support to the Government of Mozambique to
design the country’s second National Export Strategy (NES) 2017-2020. The support is being
channelled through the country’s export agency Instituto de Promoção de Exportação (the
Institute of Export Promotion) with oversight by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The NES
is envisaged as a critical institutional framework to guide Mozambique towards export
diversification, recalibrating the economy away from its dependence on commodity trade.
Mozambique drafted its first NES (2012-2017) with technical assistance from the
International Trade Centre (ITC) and financial support from the EU and UNIDO. It is
envisaged that the needs assessment findings and analysis which informed the NES 20122017 may still be relevant. Therefore, under the design of the 2nd NES, technical assistance
will include assessing the degree to which interventions defined for implementation under
NES 1, may be updated and carried forward into the 2nd strategic design process. It is
recognized that the Strategic Action Plan for the NES (2012-2017) should incorporate strong
accountability processes as defined under a robust Monitoring and Evaluation framework.
The proposed 2nd NES (2017-2020) will have a critical focus on supporting Mozambique’s
export ready firms and manufacturers to enter regional and global value chains, particularly
in value-addition agro-processing, to bring further benefits to the country. The Government
of Mozambique is focused in ensuring that the good economic growth rates averaging over
7% p.a. in the last two decades, translate into sustainable jobs for the future, particularly
given the fast-growing population and by implication labour force increasing by 300,000 year
on year.
Mozambique is a least developed country with low socioeconomic indicators. Over the last
decade it has experienced significant economic growth, fueled by a historically high increase
in the volume of its commodity trade and prices, upon which the country is heavily
dependent. The country is highly indebted and reliant on donor aid to enhance economic
development. Successive governments have been largely effective at undertaking successful
economic reform over the last 20 years which has contributed to a regionally high GDP
growth rate, averaging 7.4 per cent per annum (World Bank, 2013). However, more than 70
per cent of the population is reliant on agriculture (largely small scale) which is negatively
impacted by inadequate infrastructure and low investment which inhibits the country’s
transition to high value agro-processing production. Agriculture’s contribution to GDP is 23.4
per cent, whilst industry and services contribute 30.7 per cent and 45.9% per cent
respectively.
The most recent WTO Trade Policy Review for Mozambique (2009) found supply side
constraints are still a challenge to improved trade competitiveness, particularly high prices
and inefficient/inconsistent supply of utilities by state owned enterprises (SOEs). Effective
implementation of an updated NES (2017-2020) should go some way towards addressing
some of the critical factors which are undermining the enabling environment for private
sector development, particularly the export sector.
2. Scope of Work
Stage 1: Diagnostics and Strategy Development
a. Undertake an overall diagnostic of the NES 2012-2017. Undertake Stakeholder
consultation in this regard.
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b. Review the baseline data, situational analysis and define the criteria that will be
used to select the priority sectors and cross-cutting issues.
c. Analyse the country’s export environment and identify the critical factors impacting
Mozambique’s medium and long term export prospects. Be apprised of Mozambique’s
emerging new Trade Policy framework to ensure alignment with this and other
important national policy documents.
d. Identify any gender issues that should be taken into account to ensure equitable
access to export opportunities
e. Using appropriate criteria identify priority products and services, map value chains
and identify strategic points where value may be maximised and export
competitiveness increased.
f. For the prioritised products and services, conduct a robust market assessment to
identify key drivers of competitive advantage, target markets, main competitors and
recommend appropriate market entry strategies.
g. Develop key objectives and targets for the priority areas over the strategy period.
h. Define Action Plans for each priority sector and cross-cutting issue, to include
measureable interventions baseline data, owner/implementing agency, resource
requirements, expected timeline, risks, etc.,) that can be implemented by 2020.
i. Prepare and present draft NES and Action Plans at a national consultative
symposium.
j. Incorporate feedback from national consultation into the final NES and Action Plans
k. Submit the final NES document and Action Plans
Stage 2: Implementation Plan
a. Develop a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the strategy, including
templates to be used by implementing agencies
b. Work with key implementing agencies to develop detailed action matrices to support
implementation. This will entail integrating discrete activities into organisational
work plans.
c. Develop an annualised implementation plan for the strategy period
d. Present the draft implementation plan to stakeholders
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e. Define an institutional framework for a NES Secretariat to co-ordinate strategy
implementation, including strengthening capacities for communication and
knowledge sharing.
f. Submit the final Implementation Plan
3. Key Deliverables / Outputs
a) Inception Report following the first mission to Mozambique, within 6 weeks of signing
the contract. (To include a situation report, work plan and draft layout of the NES)
b) A Progress Report, which covers progress made under Stage 1 tasks a-f of the Scope
of Work, delivered after 12 weeks.
c) Draft NES document and Strategic Action Plans to be presented at a National
Consultative Symposium by week 20.
d) The final draft NES document and Strategic Action Plan by week 26.
e) The final draft Implementation, monitoring and evaluation framework with clear
indicators, baselines, targets, timelines with accountable officers indicated by week
30.
f) Launch of the NES 2015-2018 by week 34.
4. Approach and Implementation Arrangements
The project will be supervised by the Trade Advisor, Commonwealth Secretariat. The
Institute of Export Promotion (IPEX) has been designated as the driver of the NES design
process and will be the main client for this project. IPEX will provide appropriate office
space, organise meetings and provide administrative support. Technical oversight and
support will be provided by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the Ministry
of Industry and Trade. Stakeholders from the Trade Support Network will also be critical to
this process, as a source of validation of final documents, in their role as practitioners in
the sector, supporting exporters to enter new markets. The consultant(s) are expected to
work closely in order to encourage local ownership and ensure the cross-fertilisation of
ideas.
The assignment will be delivered through a stakeholder-driven approach. Stakeholder
meetings will be organised at key stages of the project to obtain input, build consensus
and validate key recommendations. This project will mainstream gender issues and
therefore deliverables are expected to reflect that the gender dimension in the delivery of
outputs has been taken into account. Wide stakeholder consultation should capture the
differential needs of women-owned export businesses to ensure that the final products
(i.e., the NES document, Strategic Action Plan and Implementation Framework) recognises
implications for gender equity.
Qualifications
 A Trade or marketing specialist with post graduate qualifications in International
Trade, Economics, Business or law.
 Six years additional employment experience in marketing will be accepted in place
of a postgraduate qualification.
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Competencies
 At least 10 years’ international experience in national and/or sectoral strategy
development for exports, preferably acquired on projects for emerging markets,
developing or least developed economies
 Considerable expertise in the design and implementation of monitoring and
evaluation (M & E) frameworks for the delivery of capacity building projects. A
proven track record in supporting local institutions to utilise M & E frameworks.
 Proficiency in Portuguese language will be an advantage
 Ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders
 Good understanding of trade policy issues affecting small states
 Good track record of working in the Sub-Saharan Africa
 Good understanding of the policy and trade/business environment of Mozambique
will be an added advantage
5. Preparation of Proposals
Proposals should clearly indicate the following:
1. Technical approach and methodology proposed to undertake activities outlined in
the scope of work (Not more than 8 to 12 pages)
2. Proposed work plan and milestones
3. Proposed budget with all costs clearly broken down
4. Detailed CVs of the proposed team members
5. A breakdown of tasks and responsibilities between the team members
6. Level of Effort and Duration
The level of effort required from the successful consultants is 70 person days over the period
April to December 2016.
7. Budget
An all-inclusive budget of £38,000 has been allocated for consultancy services which will
cover professional fees, daily subsistence allowance, translation inputs, local travel and
economy class international air fares to Mozambique. Costs for stakeholder consultations,
including language interpretation at national meetings and document production will be
covered separately.
8. Reporting Arrangements
The successful consultant will sign a contract with the Commonwealth Secretariat which
will be responsible for making contractual payments under the terms of the contract.
9. Submission of Proposals
Proposals should be submitted to Human Resources Division at the Secretariat.
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