Position: Research OfficerAccountabilities
The Research Officer will report directly to the Research & Development Advisor and will form part of the Research & Development (R&D) Division. He/she will ultimately report to the Head of Secretariat (HoS) who is responsible for the overall management of the OCO Secretariat.
Job Location
The appointee will be situated within the permanent office of the OCO Secretariat located 84 Harris Rd, Suva, REPUBLIC OF FIJI.
Role of Position
The Research Officer will assist the Research & Development Advisor in formulating Policy Advice and Customs Modernization Options for OCO members. He/she will also assist in specific Research and Analysis to support the development of policies and plans related to Customs Systems, Processes and Tariff Structures as requested by OCO customs member administrations.
The Research Officer will also assist in conducting specific research, the formulation of strategic plans and trainings for OCO members.
Task and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Research Officer are inclusive however not limited to the following:
GENERAL
· Assist in providing Technical Advice and Trainings based on sound Research to OCO Member Customs and Border Control Agencies, Trading Communities and other related services in the region in the following areas:
i. Revenue Gap Analysis;
ii. Analytical study into Customs procedures and processes;
iii. Policy Option on Tariff and Revenue;
iv. Commodity Tariff Elasticity Analysis;
v. Impact Assessments on Regional & International Trade Agreements; and
vi. Organizational / Corporate Plans and medium to long term Strategic Plans for OCO members.
· Assist with the preparation of annual trade statistics reports with a focus on trend analysis;
· Assist in preparing Analytical studies on the impacts of various options for customs organizational structures;
· Assist with research into tariff structures including both import duties and excise rates;
· Assist in developing Revenue Gap Analysis and formulate Revenue Policies Options for OCO Member Customs Administrations;
· Assist with the coordination of trainings for OCO members such as WCO E-Learning programs and Accreditation Training Programs;
· Assist in conducting seminars and workshops at the national & regional level;
· Assist with the coordination of trainings and in developing curriculum with the WCO Regional Training Centre;
· Liaise in consultation with the Research & Development Advisor with Regional and International Academic Institutions in establishing formal relationship to provide and assist members on customs academics programme of studies;
· Assist with the preparation of project proposal and in seeking financial support for the activities of the Secretariat;
· Undertake research works as directed by Research & Development Advisor as well as the HoS and
· Work as a team in maintaining and enhancing a co-operative work spirit and productive work atmosphere within the Secretariat.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENTS
· Assist with the preparation of Divisional Budgets for the Research & Development Division;
PLANNING
· Assist with the development of Strategic and Corporate Plans upon request for OCO member customs administrations;
· Assist other Divisions in developing training plans for OCO members.
POLICY PAPERS
· Prepare National Policy paper as requested by OCO member customs administrations;
· Assist with the preparation of Regional Policy Papers as directed by the Head of Secretariat.
TECHNICAL
· Assist the EU EDF10 Project Manager on required technical needs of PACP members in terms of IT and Policy Options as directed by the Research & Development Advisor or HoS and
· Assist in the provision of technical advice for OCO member customs administrations on customs procedures, tariff structures and revenue implication both at the macro and sector levels.
STAFFING AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
· Assist with the preparation of Bi-Annual R&D Divisional Staff Assessment reports; and
· Assist Research & Development Advisor in preparing staff needs assessments for the R&D Division;
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
ESSENTIAL
· Degree from a recognized University in Economics or Trade Policy, with specialization in Planning and Policy Formulation or International Trade.
· Must have at least 5 years of experience in policy design and formulation, in particularly in areas of revenue policy, economic policy, budget preparation and training policy
· Post Graduate holders are strongly encouraged to apply;
· Must have excellent Strong Economics and Econometric background;
· Excellent written and oral communication and liaison skills;
· Ability to work with other technical staff;
· Proven ability to work as part of an inter-disciplinary and/or multi-cultural team;
· Good knowledge of relevant International & Regional Security and Trade Agreements, and their impact on the Economic Development in OCO members especially the PACER, PICTA, SPARTECA and Cotonou Trade Agreements; and respective Rules of Origin;
· Must be familiar with International Conventions and protocols like the Revised Kyoto Conventions, Arusha Declaration, 2002 & 2007 Harmonized Coding System, TRIPS, WTO Articles, and WCO Formalities;
· Substantial experience in the development and implementation of Customs & Trade Policies;
· A sound knowledge of instructional techniques and experience in the design and implementation of training programmes; and experience in designing Customs related training and information materials for Customs Administrations;
· Excellent Planning and Organizational skills;
· Experience in consultations with the public and business sector and must have high level of communication skills with excellent verbal and written English together with excellent interpersonal skills;
· Demonstrated capability in working closely with technical staff and be an active member of thematic teams;
· Computer literacy with skills in Microsoft Office software, with high skills in word processing, spreadsheets, web page design, PowerPoint and email; skills in computer based information management systems (electronic depository and retrieval systems); and some knowledge of graphics and desktop publishing;
· Must be familiar with using spreadsheets to analyze surveys, statistics and raw data to produce information for policy formulations.
· Must have in-depth experience of collecting data for valuation purposes.
Personal Characteristics
· Must have a broad experience and understanding in Customs administrations of the OCO membership;
· A strong team player who works well with others;
· Strong personal commitments to raising the standards of customs administrations in the region;
· Demonstrated ability to work as part of the OCO team and cooperatively with OCO member customs administrations is essential;
· Must be capable in producing sound advice for decision making purposes; and
· Ability to think strategically with a broader vision whilst focusing on the mid to long term goals with respect to the Revised OCO Charter and OCO pledged commitment to its members.
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
· Exceptional Planning and Policy formulation skills;
· Excellent communication with other staff and proven ability to work with different OCO member customs administrations;
· Strong training skills essential;
· Proven ability to manage positive client relationships and work with staffs from different technical fields;
· Result oriented who works on a performance based environment;
· Critical and conceptual thinker essential;
· Enjoy customs work and has a passion for organizational improvements;
· Experience in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations or related activity;
· A good working knowledge of Customs services in the Pacific;
· Knowledge and experience of Pacific Island cultures, and a broad understanding of the cultural diversity of the region; highly desirable;
· Skills in other Pacific languages highly desirable.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Overall Skills
· Demonstrated skills in Planning and Policy formulation;
· Demonstrated skills in conducting and developing trainings and training materials;
· Demonstrated organisational skills including the proven ability to develop corporate/organizational plans;
· Strong Research and Analytical skills;
· Proven ability to prioritise and meet competing deadlines;
· Ability to identify and analyse conflict in priorities and raise awareness on the impact of required changes in a systematic way;
· Proven ability to be part of a negotiating team to deliberate with Governments and Development Partners in setting clear objectives and targets at the national and regional levels;
· Demonstrate ability to be an active member of thematic teams;
· Strong public/private sector understanding regarding different competing expectation from both parties; and
· Sound ability in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the Internet Computer literacy with skills in Microsoft Office software, with high skills in word processing, spreadsheets, web page design, PowerPoint and email; skills in computer based information management systems (electronic depository and retrieval systems); and some knowledge of graphics and desktop publishing;
Communication skills
· High-level oral and written communication, representation and liaison skills;
· Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment;
· Fluency in English;
· Demonstrate the ability to work positively in a small and mixed environment of professionals;
· Demonstrated ability to deliver and adjust to a wide range of audience; and
· Experience in consultations with the public and business sector and must have high level of communication skills with excellent interpersonal skills;
Knowledge of Pacific / International issues
· Must be familiar with regional trade agreements especially the Free Trade Agreements and their impacts at the national level;
· Must be familiar with WCO, WTO, UNODCW, CITES, UNEP, IPR Issues, EPA, PACER+, PICTA and other international agreements, conventions and issues which has impact on PACP member Customs administrations;
· Good knowledge and understanding of the cultural features and political developments in the Pacific and their likely impact on Customs, Trade and Security issues; and
· Awareness of International and Regional Customs issues.
Judgment and flexibility
· A high level of motivation;
· High level of both personal and professional integrity;
· Ability to make sound advised in all matters relating to OCO activities; and
· Ability to learn and adapt quickly.
Managerial and Planning
· Proven ability to plan and develop appropriate actions based on specific outcomes for the R&D Division;
· Ability to plan and develop trainings for OCO member customs administrations; and
· Experience in working as part of a team providing technical support for OCO members.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions
The incumbent is located in a busy, open area office. The incumbent will be faced with constant interruptions and must meet with others on a regular basis.
Sensory Demands
The incumbent must spend long hours in intense concentration. The incumbent must also spend long hours on the computer conducting analytical work which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
Mental Demands
There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress. The incumbent must also deal with a wide variety of people on various issues.
Tenure
The appointment is initially for a term of three years, subject to a one-year probationary period, with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and continued funding availability.
Remuneration
Remuneration and other benefits will be discussed during interview.
Applications Letter, CV including three referees should be addressed to the Head of Secretariat, Oceania Customs Organisation, Private Mail Bag, 84 Harris Rd, Suva, FIJI. Or sent electronically to
selemanas@ocosec.org ONLY THOSE WHO WILL BE SHORTLISTED WILL BE CONTACTED.
Applications should be received by close of business on 24th June, 2011.
Иногда даже Тур Хейердал напивался и переедал.