NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Preparatory Assistance for the World Trade Organization
Negotiations on Agriculture"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a concise statement of the results stemming from the problem statement (below) that are expected by the end of the project.

• Main features of the project with emphasis on expected outcomes.

• Individual sections of project report

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on agriculture aimed at continuing the reform process initiated by the Uruguay Round Agreement began in March 2000. It is widely acknowledged that a majority of the developing countries were not able to participate effectively in the Uruguay Round negotiations primarily for capacity reasons. For the new negotiations, WTO Members, including many developing countries, have made a large number of negotiating proposals.

While the level of awareness among many developing countries of the WTO Agreements in general and the Agriculture Agreement in particular is, on the whole, considerably higher now compared with the situation during the Uruguay Round, many of them lack the capacity to assess the consequences for their policies and economies of the proposals made by other WTO Members, as well as to formulate their own proposals and pursue them during the course of the negotiations. The next 2-3 years, when negotiations are expected to take place, are crucial, as any new agreement reached through negotiations in this period will have consequences for the agricultural sector in developing countries for many years to come.

Objective 4.3 of the World Food Summit Plan of Action: "to support the continuation of the reform process in conformity with the Uruguay Round Agreement, particularly Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture", also calls upon FAO to continue to assist developing countries in preparing for multilateral trade negotiations including in agriculture, fisheries and forestry inter alia through studies, analysis and training. Subsequent FAO Conferences, Councils and Committees have endorsed this mandate and attached high priority to this work for the Organization.

• Country commitments made at the WTO.
  
• Negotiating proposals/comments made at the WTO.
  
• Recent developments on domestic and trade policies.
  
• Recent developments on agricultural exports and food imports.

• Country notifications
  
• Ministry of Commerce/Agriculture
  
• Trade data

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

The long-term development objective of the project is to assist the developing countries to benefit fully from growing international trade in agricultural products and thus to contribute to their socio-economic development.

The immediate objective of the assistance is to enhance the capacity of the developing countries to participate effectively in WTO negotiations on agricultural trade by enabling them to analyze the consequences for their economies of new negotiating proposals put forward by other WTO Members as well as to articulate their own proposals for the negotiations.

• No further information required.

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

This section is a simple, concise listing, using quantitative terms, of the specific outputs expected from the project.

The present project is conceived as an Umbrella Framework in order to accommodate the wide range of technical assistance needs of Members in the area of WTO Agreements and trade negotiations. Thus, depending upon the particular issues addressed, the project would result in a number of outputs:

- Policy briefs on the problem addressed and consequences of particular negotiating proposals;
- Policy briefs on alternative strategies/approaches to pursue negotiations on specific areas;
- Establishment of national analytical/advisory groups to support the negotiating team;
- Institutional arrangements for continued work on the area, including data requirements;
- A report of the Round Table held in the country to discuss the proposals;
- An outline of specific follow-up activities;
- A plan for the implementation of the follow-up programme.

• Number of policy briefs prepared.
  
• Number of background studies.
  
• Number of workshops/expert meetings.
  
• Number of participants (government and outside).
  
• Follow-up activities identified.

• Project document

V. WORK PLAN

This section should be supplemented by a timetable showing the scheduling and duration of each activity. The timetable and any accompanying narrative should also serve as an instrument for monitoring project implementation and achievement for both the Government and FAO.

Output 1: Policy brief on the problem addressed and consequences of particular negotiating proposals

1. Desk study of the problems/issues addressed
2. Preparation of one or more background analyses for consultation with the requesting Government
3. Establishment of a steering committee at the national level
4. Recruitment of a national consultant to review the problems/issues from the national perspective.

Output 2: Round Table consultation with the Government

1. Identification of alternative strategies/approaches for negotiations on specific issues
2. Report of the Round Table consultation with the Government

Output 3: Follow-up activities
An outline of follow-up activities, which would include, inter alia:

1. Recommendations for the establishment of national analytical/advisory groups to support the negotiating team
2. Recommendations for institutional arrangements for continued work on the area, including data requirements

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

While the immediate concern of the project is to assist the requesting country on specific issues/problems on trade negotiations, the process followed would ensure the strengthening of national capacity to pursue similar works. This would result through: the analysis in the background papers; the Round Table where many national officials will participate; the follow-up activities; proposals for institutional arrangements for continued work on the area; and the direct involvement of national experts on the analysis.

• Number of participants (government and outside).
  
• Follow-up activities identified.

• Project document

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

See TCP Guidelines, Annex 1, pages iii to vi.

A concise description of each input under the respective numbered line items below. Sufficient detail on each budget line should be provided.

a) Personnel services
Technical services of international and/or national experts/consultants
- International consultants/experts
- FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS)
- National experts and consultants
- International expertise under Partnership Programmes (i.e. TCDC/TCCT or Retired experts and consultants)
- Administrative support
- Supervisory Technical Services (STS)

Personnel Services to be selected from (see TORs in separate file):
(Note: requirements should be based on a detailed assessment of existing national capacity and an identification of skill gaps)

- International Consultant Specialized on Agricultural Trade
- International Consultant Specialized on specific Commodity Policies
- International Consultant Specialized on Trade Negotiations
- International Consultant Specialized on Uruguay Round Agreements on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), as needed
- International Consultant Specialized on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, as needed
- National Consultant on Agricultural Trade Policy
- National Consultant on Commodity Policy
- FAO Advisory Technical Services (to be assessed by FAO)
- FAO Field Visits (to be assessed by FAO)
- Local temporary support staff

b) Official travel
c) Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
d) General operating expenses (GOE)
e) Materials, supplies and equipment:
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
f) Direct operating cost (DOC)
g) Training:
- Study tours
- In-country workshops
- Fellowships and academic training
- Young Professionals for on-the-job training

Official Travel:
(up to US$XX)

General Operating Expenses:
(up to US$ XX including US$XX for the production of the Terminal Statement) - to cover all miscellaneous expenses.

Materials and supplies:
(up to US$XX)

• Number, type and cost of each input (numbers of staff participating, of items, internal trips, cost per day, DSA rate, monthly consultant rate, etc.).

• Ministry of Agriculture/National Statistics Office
  
• FAO
  
• UNDP
  
• Local Training Institutions
  
• Local suppliers

VIII. REPORTING

See TCP Guidelines.

Technical and Mission reports are required for operational monitoring of projects so that technical and operating divisions of FAO can monitor the delivery and utilization of inputs. These reports give a TCP project the required flexibility to meet changing needs and are used to make decisions about project extensions and budget revisions. Technical reports add to the body of technical knowledge about specific analyses conducted. A Terminal Statement is required to be prepared at the conclusion of the project.

It is essential that the project document specify who is to prepare these reports and at what intervals. This is particularly true for the Terminal Statement. If the writer of this document is not specified, the technical officer assumes this responsibility.

• Operations-related data/information on preparatory activities conducted.
  
• Reports on missions conducted and training activities.
  
• Lists of equipment purchased.

• Project records
  
• Project staff
  
• Ministry of Agriculture/National Statistics Office

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Government will nominate a National Project Coordinator who will work full-time for the project. The Government will further make available to the project the necessary counterpart and support staff, including field staff, to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.

The Government will make available suitable office space for staff and consultants and facilitate in-country travel of consultants and project staff. The Government will provide necessary facilities and equipment for the training components of the project.

Where necessary, the Government will provide translation and interpretation facilities.

• Government contribution in terms of cash, personnel time, facilities, vehicles, building and office space (for workshops and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation facilities/expertise.

• Ministry of Agriculture/National Statistics Office

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO, based on elements received from the requesting country. 

Data Needs:

• Numerical details on FAO contribution in US$ by budget line.

• National Executing/Collaborating Institutions
  
• FAO
  
• UNDP
  
• Equipment suppliers
  
• Travel agents

XI. ATTACHMENTS TO PROJECT AGREEMENT

1. Terms of Reference including description of required qualifications for each international and national consultant/expert and where appropriate for the National Project Coordinator.
2. Description of Advisory Technical Services and Supervisory Technical Services.
3. Description of services to be provided under contracts.
4. Description of the training programme.
5. Itemized list of equipment.
6. Itemized list of materials and supplies.

• Quantitative estimates and descriptions/specifications as relevant to the above attachment.
  
• Terms of Reference (TOR) for each national and international project staff member including FAO technical staff members contributing to the project. TORs for short-term staff inputs (weeks to several months) need to describe precise, time-bound activities and outputs expected. Longer-term staff inputs should be more generally phrased to allow some flexibility and cover unforeseen occurrences.

• Ministry of Agriculture/National Statistics Office

TERMS OF REFERENCE

International Experts

a) International Consultant Specialized on Agricultural Trade

Qualifications:
An agricultural trade economist with extensive experience in analyzing trade-related issues covered by the Uruguay Round Agreements affecting agricultural trade and familiarity with problems faced by developing countries when implementing the Uruguay Round rules and provisions.

Duties:
Under the overall supervision of the FAO technical officer, the Consultant will undertake necessary analytical works and travel to the country concerned to hold Round Table meeting with Government officials. Specifically, the Consultant will:

- assume the responsibility of a team leader of the project on all technical matters;
- undertake necessary desk analysis on the trade-related policy issue at hand, including the consequences to the country in question of particular negotiating proposals;
- prepare documents in the form of policy brief for consultation with the requesting Government;
- supervise the work of the national consultant recruited under the project;
- present the analyses to the Round Table held in the host country and moderate the discussions; and
- prepare the report of the Round Table in draft form for submission to FAO and the Government and finalize it after receiving the comments.

Duration and duty station:
The total duration of the consultancy is (XX time per XX missions). The duty station for the (XX) and (XX) week will be the home city of the consultant, while the third week will be in the field.

b) International Consultant Specialized on specific Commodity Policies

Qualifications:
An economist or agricultural economist with extensive experience in analyzing specific commodity issues and policies, a fair understanding of the relevant Uruguay Round Agreements affecting commodity trade and familiarity with problems faced by developing countries.

Duties:
Under the overall supervision of the FAO technical officer, the Consultant will undertake necessary analytical works and travel to the country concerned to hold Round Table meeting with Government officials. Specifically, the Consultant will:

- assume full responsibility for the analysis of specific commodity issues related to the specific trade problems being addressed by the project;
- undertake necessary desk analysis on inter alia assessing the consequences to the commodity sector in question of particular negotiating proposals;
- prepare documents in the form of policy brief for consultation with the requesting Government;
- supervise the work of the national consultant recruited under the project, where relevant;
- present the analyses to the Round Table held in the host country and moderate the discussions; and
- prepare the report of the Round Table in draft form for submission to FAO and the Government and finalize it after receiving the comments.

Duration and duty station:
The total duration of the consultancy is (XX time per XX missions). The duty station for the (XX) and (XX) week/s will be the home city of the consultant, while (XX) week/s will be in the field.

c) International Consultant Specialized on Trade Negotiations

Qualifications:
A specialist on international trade negotiations with legal background or a trade lawyer with extensive experience of agricultural trade negotiations, thorough understanding of the relevant Uruguay Round Agreements affecting agricultural trade and familiarity with problems faced by developing countries in trade negotiations.

Duties:
Under the overall supervision of the FAO technical officer, the Consultant will develop strategies for WTO negotiations. Specifically, the Consultant will:

- study and understand the full range of negotiating issues involved in a proposal under consideration;
- prepare background document in the form of policy brief for consultation with the requesting Government;
- participate in the Round Table in the country and make presentations on negotiating strategies and tactics;
- assist in follow-up capacity-building activities in the country to strengthen negotiating capability; and
- assist in the preparation of the report of the Round Table.

Duration and duty station:
The total duration of the consultancy is (XX time per XX missions). The duty station for the (XX) and the (XX) week/s is the home city of the consultant, while the (XX) week/s will be in the field.

d) International Consultant Specialized on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreements

Qualifications:
A specialist experienced in SPS/TBT issues and in the problems developing countries face when implementing the SPS/TBT Agreements.

Duties:
- prepare necessary analysis of the consequences of particular SPS/TBT issues raised;
- participate in the National Round Table and make presentation; and
- prepare the Report of the Round Table.

Duration and duty station:
The total duration of the consultancy is (XX) weeks. The duty station is (XX).

e) International Consultant Specialized on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Uruguay Round Agreement

Qualifications:
A specialist experienced in TRIPS Agreement with proven understanding of the problems confronting developing countries in this area.

Duties:
- prepare necessary analysis of the consequences of particular TRIPS issues raised;
- participate in the National Round Table and make presentation; and
- prepare the Report of the Round Table.

Duration and duty station: The total duration of the consultancy is (XX) weeks. The duty station is (XX).

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Consultants

a) National Consultant on Agricultural Trade Policy

Qualifications:
An agricultural economist with extensive experience in analyzing domestic policies related to international trade in agriculture and a good familiarity with the Uruguay Round Agreements affecting agricultural trade.

Duties:
Under the supervision of the International Agricultural Trade consultant, the national consultant will:

- undertake necessary background analyses on the trade-related policy issue at hand;
- prepare a brief report to submit to the International Consultant; and
- assist the International Consultant in the organization of the Round Table and in the preparation of its report.

Duration and duty station:
The duration of this arrangement is XX. The duty station will be the home country of the consultant.

b) National Consultant on Commodity Policy

Qualifications:
An agricultural economist with extensive experience in analyzing commodity-specific issues and a good familiarity with the Uruguay Round Agreements affecting agricultural trade.

Duties:
- undertake necessary background analyses on the commodity-specific issue being addressed;
- prepare a brief report to submit to the International Consultant; and
- Assist the International Consultant in the organization of the Round Table and in the preparation of its report.

Duration and duty station:
The duration of this arrangement is XX months. The duty station will be the home country of the consultant.