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Call for Proposals: Conducting a Study on the Implications of Middle-income Country to High-income Country transition on the Textile & Apparel Industry in Mauritius in a post COVID19 Context

Deadline: 18 May 2020

The African Development Bank Country Strategy Paper for Mauritius (2014-2018) noted that Mauritius has succeeded in transitioning from a Low-Income Country (LIC) to an Upper Middle-Income Country (MIC) thanks in part to strong and stable institutions, a conducive business environment, economic sectoral diversification and effective utilization of trade preferences. Trade and use of preferential trade agreements have always been major drivers of economic growth for a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) such as Mauritius, SIDS being usually dependent on foreign markets for generating foreign exchange and for supplementing a narrow domestic base.

The same Country Strategy Paper noted the recent ambition of the Government of Mauritius “to transform Mauritius into a High-Income Country (HIC) on the basis of growth that is sustainably generated and equitably distributed by 2025” (AfDB, 2014). But achieving HIC status will require the country to address challenges linked to persistent youth unemployment – a result of a skills mismatch between what the educational system in Mauritius produces and what a future buoyant Mauritian economy needs in terms of skills to maintain a high-quality growth path – and challenges linked to the maintenance of competitiveness in an increasingly competitive global economy. It is to be noted that the major objective of the AfDB Country Strategy Paper 2014-2018 was to “help Mauritius build its competitiveness and resilience to exogenous shocks so as to enhance the quality of growth and accelerate the country’s transition into a HIC”. The current Covid-19 crisis has made it even more important for SIDS such as Mauritius to build resilience against shocks.

The Mauritius National Vision is organized according to five pillars that set the country’s long-term development priorities. These aim to accelerate the pace of sustainable economic diversification so that Mauritius can join the league of high-income countries by 2023 with a per capita GNI of USD $13,550 by 2023, progressing to USD $19,000 by 2030. Efforts are focused on developing the ocean and green economies, embracing the digital economy, accelerating the development of new and innovative sectors including ICT and financial technology, and creating a next generation of critical thinkers and entrepreneurs to compete effectively in regional and global economies (UN, 2019).

In 2019, the Government of Mauritius and the United Nations System of Mauritius, of which UNDP and the UN ECA sub-regional office for Southern Africa are part, signed a new Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) for the period 2019-2023. The major aim of the SPF is to delineate concrete actions through which the UN will support the Mauritius National Vision and the Three-year Strategic Plan 2018/19-2020/21, titled “Pursuing our transformative journey”.

The current crisis of COVID-19 will present specific challenges to some critical sectors and the textile and apparel sector is no exception, given disruptions in global value-chains and access to markets. At the outset the proposed study will assess the impact of the current crisis on the textile and apparel sector in Mauritius and globally, and make policy recommendations on how the textile and apparel sector con contribute to building resilience of the Mauritian economy to unexpected global shocks.

In this context, UNDP is soliciting the retain the services of an International consultants, more specifically a Lead Consultant  with scientific knowledge of the industry to conduct the study.

Scope of Work

  • The overall objective of this joint ECA-UNDP study is to focus on the role that the textile and apparel sector can and should play in accelerating Mauritius transition to HighIncome Country status in a sustained way and in building the resilience of the Mauritian economy to unexpected shocks akin to Covid-19.
  • Mauritius is currently drafting a new industrial policy. It will be timely and relevant to diagnose the challenges that the textile and apparel industry currently faces, especially in the post Covid-19 world as well as the transformations it needs to undergo, and opportunities it can harness from the African regional and global economy in order to become an engine of growth, job creation and shared prosperity that can catalyze Mauritius further on the national income ladder. Such a study will be a direct contribution to the objectives of the AfDB CSP for Mauritius, to the UN SPF and to the objectives of the Government of Mauritius as stated in its National Vision.

Duration of the Work

This assignment is for duration of 40 days starting on 25 May 2020 and ending on or before 31 July 2020.

Duty Station

The Consultant can work remotely or on duty station depending on evolution of lock down.

Methodology

  • It is expected that the Consultants will present a complete approach and methodology for preparation of this study, including:
    • undertaking a preliminary discussion with UNDP, AfDB and UNECA Subregional office for Southern Africa
    • presentation of an inception report for discussion and approval by UNDP CO, Mauritius and UNECA;
    • thorough literature review;
    • Methods of data collection and analysis; and
    • reporting format.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Lead Consultant
    • At least Master’s degree (PhD preferably) in economic and social sciences, international trade, industrial organization, development studies or similar fields of study, as well as relevant training.
    • At least 10 years of relevant experience in economic assessment, evaluation, or/and economic research and rigorous analysis.
    • Very good knowledge of the planning for emergence, long term visioning and international policies, particularly in Africa.
    • Excellent writing skills in English evidenced by extensive publications in reputable journals.
    • Evidence of preparing similar papers in an African setting.
    • Strong similar experience working with a Country similar to Mauritius.
    • Excellent inter-personal, communication, and teamwork skills.
  • Language
    • Excellent communication skills and a good command of English- High level written and oral English language skills are a pre-requisite. Corporate Competencies
    • Demonstrate integrity by modelling the United Nations’ values and ethical standards;
    • Advocate and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of United Nations;
    • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
    • Treat all people fairly without favouritism
  • Functional Competencies
    • Demonstrated interest in the field of social work;
    • Demonstrated skills in delivery of group-based training on rehabilitation programme;
    • Excellent writing and oral skills in English;
    • Ability to work in a team and independently;
    • Initiative and sound judgment, dedication and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose;
    • Ability to adapt in new working environment;
    • Demonstrated strategic technical and analytical skills in the substantive area; and
    • Computer proficiency.

For more information, visit https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=65654

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