ANNEX 1
TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR)
Vacancy Announcement
Project: Support to Effective National Aid Coordination and Investment Promotion
Post Title: International Agribusiness Specialist to carry sector study on aromatic herbs and spices
market development in Tajikistan.
Type of appointment: IC
Duration of appointment: 15 working days
Duty Station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Deadline for applications: May 3, 2011.
Instruction for submission of applications: Please fill out an Application form for IC positions posted
on www.undp.tj by following the job vacancies link from this webpage. Please note that no other type
of application form will be considered for such positions, other than the one found at the link
specified above.
1. BACKGROUND
In recent years Tajikistan has benefited from greater stability and has experienced impressive economic
growth. However, under conditions of limited domestic savings, external investments are necessary to
make growth sustainable, ensure modernization and diversification of economy and promote country’s
integration into global economy. Creating favorable conditions for the Foreign Direct Investments
became a crucial issue within the Government development strategy. Tajikistan’s efforts in promoting
private sector development have been acknowledged, when the country ranked in the top-ten
reformers by the World Bank’s Doing Business rating that measures the quality of regulations related to
business environment. Despite significant progress, many challenges persist, as the absolute values of
the indicators remained relatively low.
In response to the Government’s quest to improve investment climate UNDP, with support from DFID
and in coordination with the wider donor community has agreed to assist the Government of Tajikistan
to strengthen the structures and capacity for investment promotion. The assistance will be provided to
and managed by the State Investment Committee that has responsibility within the Government for
investment promotion. The programme demonstrates partners’ support to joint action in the area of
financing for development, as reflected in the Doha Outcome Document.
The objective of this project is to strengthen Tajikistan’s aid coordination architecture and promote
investments through building the capacity of the State Committee on Investment and State Property
Management (SCISPM) and other relevant Government bodies. This support is expected to strengthen
Government’s ability to mobilize and manage external resources for development.
The SCISPM was established in December 2006, as part of a wider programme of public administration
reform. Under the project the organizational and management staff capabilities and functions of the
SCISPM will be reviewed and strengthened so that the Government of Tajikistan has a working,
transparent and effective mechanism for attracting, promoting and regulating investment. Such
strengthening will help Tajikistan attract foreign investments and use them in accordance with
development objectives reflected in its strategic documents. This will build the confidence of the
SCISPM to own the project and be responsible for better coordination of external aid and investment.
In 2007, Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (GoT) has approved crucial strategic documents:
National Development Strategy (NDS) till 2015 and Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) for 2007-2009.
Since a large part of PRS financing is expected to come in form of FDI, it pays significant attention to
factors affecting country’s investment climate. Improvement of the investment climate, development of
the private sector and entrepreneurship are the PRS focus areas. It was noted that the interest of the
foreign investors remain limited and biased towards traditional sectors. The true potential of foreign
direct investments in Tajikistan can be unleashed through a comprehensive reform programme
improving all aspects of business environment and strengthening regulatory mechanism.
Investments are important component of economic development of Tajikistan and will remain critical
for successful and in time implementation of Tajikistan’s development and poverty reduction agenda.
Creating enabling environment for investment will require concerted efforts by the Government of
Tajikistan and its partners, strengthening capacity of nodal agencies and creating efficient system for
promoting investment and addressing challenges. Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment
Climate has been created under the President to address the issues related to national investment
policy. SCISPM will play key role in the implementation of the Council’s decisions. Therefore, an
understanding of the wider GoT institutional structure within which the SCIPSM operates, together with
an analysis of the way in which Government business is progressed, is required to ensure effective
support to this functions.
UNDP started 3 year project in 2009 on supporting the Effective National Aid Coordination mechanisms
and Promoting Foreign Direct Investments. The project aims to stimulate economic growth ,extend and
strengthen SCISPM capacity, promote to improve collaboration with national stakeholders,
development partners and executive agencies, increase capabilities on investment promotion in the
framework of NDS, PRS and PIP in cooperation with other government institutions, particularly, with
MoEDT and MoF. The project aims at improving the professional and technical capacity of the
Government to promote investment and strengthen national aid coordination mechanisms. The ideas of
the project are conceptualized under Project Document, which stipulates its objectives and outputs.
Briefly the project will strengthen Tajikistan’s aid coordination architecture and promote investments
through building the capacity of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management
(SCISPM) and other relevant Government bodies. The project will be actively participating in investment
promotion in the priority sectors and working groups created to develop those sectors. One of main
priority investment promotion sectors is Agribusiness. The project will put all efforts to study
agribusiness sector and participate in all initiatives and inputs delivered by other stakeholders and
donors like TAFF project and others. The project had successful cooperation with the EBRD’s Tajik
Agriculture Finance Framework (TAFF) project in terms of participation in study tour and preparation for
the International Investment in Agribusiness Forum. Furthermore the project is going to contribute in
preparation of the 2011 Tajik Agribusiness Investment Yearbook in close cooperation with TAFF team
and other partners.
2. OBJECTIVE
The support to investment promotion will include working in the priority sectors for investment
promotion selected by the project client. A comprehensive analysis of the existing arrangements for
investment promotion in the area of agribusiness particularly aromatic herbs and species, the business
processes and operating norms within the Government of Tajikistan is vital. Based on this analysis of the
sector recommendations to Government and other stakeholders will be made. Implementation of these
recommendations, once agreed, will be included in the project inputs.
These Terms of Reference are for the 15 days. During this phase the agribusiness specialist will be
studying aromatic herbs and spices sector, analyses existing situation and prepare specific
recommendations on the market condition, production possibilities and development project feasibility.
Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager the Agribusiness Specialist is expected to closely
work together with the Team leader on Investment and other designated staff from the State
Committee on Investment and State Property Management (SCISPM) being the National Implementing
Partner.
3. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES
The Agribusiness Specialist is expected to work with the project and:
A. Market
 Give a general overview of the world market for aromatic herbs and spices that can potentially
be produced in Tajikistan (main products, main players, growth, main trade flows, and prices)
 Analyze the local market for aromatic herbs and spices
 Analyze the potential markets for export of Tajik aromatic herbs and spices with a specific focus
on countries with good export access through air transportation (Russia, Kazakhstan, Dubai, EU,
etc.)
 Analyze the tariff and non tariff constraints for export of Tajik aromatic herbs and spices
 Identify some potential importers abroad of Tajik aromatic herbs and spices
B. Potential for production
 Visit current production sites for aromatic herbs and spices. Identify strengths and weaknesses
of current producers
 Connect with the Tajik Institute of Horticulture and Vegetable Crops to analyze the natural
potential of Tajikistan for aromatic herbs and spices (climate, soils, environmental issues)
 Define and visit target production zones with the Tajik Institute of Horticulture and Vegetable
Crops
 Conduct soil (residue of pesticides in particular) and climatic analysis of target production zones
 Analyze the local procurement of inputs needed to develop modern production of aromatic
herbs and spices
C. Project development
 Identify with the support of SCISPM and TAFF EBRD potential investors for the development of
pilot projects in the field of aromatic herbs and spices combining Tajik natural comparative
advantages with modern international technology
 Meet with donors (GIZ, EU, USAID, others) potentially willing to support the development of
pilot projects in the field of aromatic herbs and spices (dedicated technical assistance for
production, international certification, grants for investment in innovative technology, etc.)
 Produce a first draft of feasibility study (costs, sales) for one pilot project promoting investment
in agribusiness, particularly in the area of aromatic herbs and spices.
In the light of the above, the Agribusiness Specialist makes specific recommendations in investment
promotion in aromatic herbs and spices sectors. The Agribusiness Specialist will also prepare a sector
study Aromatic herbs and spices that will be of about 20 pages in English language and submit it to the
Project for comments and feedbacks. Only after incorporating comments and feedbacks from the
project, the sector study maybe officially presented to SCISPM and UNDP Tajikistan. The Agribusiness
Specialist will conduct official presentation of his findings and the sector study for SCISPM staff before
accomplishing his mission.
4. REPORTING
Agribusiness Specialist will report on deliverables and agree upon with the Project. Two days before the
end of the assignment, the Agribusiness Specialist will produce a draft report and submit to the Project.
After receiving comments and feedbacks a final version, reflecting comments and feedbacks, will be
submitted to the Project. The project will further present the final version of the sector study to SCISMP
and UNDP Tajikistan.
5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES BY THE AGRIBUSINESS SPECIALIST
The Agribusiness Specialist will be required to come to Tajikistan, duration and timing to be discussed
additionally.
VI. Professional Skills and Experience
 University Degree in Business Administration, Management or related discipline coupled with
relevant Agribusiness experiences;
 A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in agribusiness,
management of agribusiness with focus on aromatic herbs and spices or related area;
 A minimum five (5) years of leading role in food or/and agribusiness industry
 A minimum five (5) years of experience in marketing of agribusiness
 Experience in management and marketing of foodstuff;
 Experience in aromatic herbs and species;
 Experience in development of sales and marketing;
 Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical and organizational skills;
 Proficiency in written and spoken English, knowledge of local languages is preferred.
6. SELECTION CRITERIA:
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Background and education
Practical previous experience relevant to the announced TOR
Substantial knowledge in investment promotion and agribusiness
Substantial knowledge in the area of aromatic herbs and spices
Planning, organizing and reporting.
Selection of the candidate will be based on the results of cumulative analysis (a combination of
qualifications, direct relevant experience and cost that represents best value for money for UNDP)
Since UNDP Tajikistan currently has a majority of male employees, we strongly encourage qualified
female applicants for this position. UNDP seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given
equal career opportunities and that staff members are able to keep an appropriate balance between
work and private life.