International Specialist for Review and Strengthening Policies and Regulations Versus International Best Practices
Position Summary Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
Location, Schedule, and Duration
The assignment will be based in the ASPIRE-AT Secretariat office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The length of the assignment is for 8 months, intermittent for a period of 3 years after the contract is signed.
- The International Specialist for Review and Strengthening Policies and Regulations Versus International Best Practices will support the ASPIRE-AT through undertaking activities to assist in implementing and monitoring the above-mentioned instruments. Tasks will include:
- Review and analyze existing relevant international guidance, such as agreements, standards or industry guidelines dealing with the international movement of plant and plant product and consider the extent to which these are relevant to the development and application of phytosanitary measures under the IPPC (for example, UN organizations: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); intergovernmental organizations: Biodiversity International (formerly IPGRI), Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI).
- Identify information/knowledge products and provide guidance required for determining the potential of pests to be associated with plants and plant products moving in international trade and their potential as a pathway for the introduction and spread of such pests that may be used in a PRA conducted in accordance with ISPM 2:2007, ISPM 11:2004 and ISPM 21:2004 including, for example, risks related to specific pest groups associated with plant and plant products seed-borne or seed-transmissible pests, plants as pests, development of tolerances for regulated non-quarantine pests.
- Identify and provide guiding analysis in relation to any phytosanitary measures and verification methods developed in accordance with IPPC guidance (for example, ISPM 2:2007, ISPM 11:2004 and ISPM 21:2004) that are currently utilized in the region and by countries with the intent of decreasing the movement of pests associated with plants and plant products moved internationally.
- Identify the phytosanitary import requirements most commonly used by NPPOs in relation to imported plants and plants product consignments. Consider providing guidance on their technical basis including identifying the need for any specific guidance in relation to the technical justification of the phytosanitary import requirement.
- Provide strategic analysis and recommendations, as appropriate, for basic information that may be included on phytosanitary certificates to allow for the international movement of seed such as origin description of the consignment (lot number, year of harvest) taking into account existing guidance in adopted ISPMs. Identify and, if appropriate, describe harmonized additional declarations of phytosanitary certificates developed for phytosanitary measures identified under task 4.
- Consider implementation of the standard by contracting parties and identify potential operational and technical implementation issues.
- Prepare “Recommended Amendments to the Existing Laws or Regulations” and explanatory notes as discussion paper for consultation meeting between the GDA and other development partners/stakeholders.
- In cooperation with the General Directorate of Agriculture, organize stakeholders’ consultation meetings to ensure an all-inclusive and transparent approach to legislative reform process and to acquire the necessary feedback.
- Using the feedback acquired from the consultation meetings, prepare a consultation report with analysis and consolidate this feedback into draft text for the proposed amendment.
- Produce a final report outlining all main achievements, describing the best national and international practices and assessing capacities constraints and providing recommendations for remedial and capacity building actions.
- Deliverable Outputs
- Inception report (including Work Plan) and comprehensive legislative review report by outlining the main pieces of existing legislation (including all relevant laws, sub-decrees and Prakas) directly or indirectly relating to plants and plants product import and export management in Cambodia, identifying specific provisions that are inconsistent with the new proposed ministerial proclamation on the Procedures for Phytosanitary Inspection for Imported, Exported, Re-exported Goods and Goods in Transit from the Kingdom of Cambodia, ministerial proclamation on Phytosanitary Requirements of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine Strategic Development 2026-2030;
- Reports of consultation meetings with relevant national and international stakeholders to present findings, analysis and draft discussion papers for possible amendments.
- Preliminary draft of the Ministerial proclamation on Procedures for Phytosanitary Inspection for Imported, Exported, Re-exported Goods and Goods in Transit from the Kingdom of Cambodia, ministerial proclamation on Phytosanitary Requirements of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine Strategic Development 2026-2030 and the legislative texts incorporating findings and discussion of the consultation process.
- Final draft of the Ministerial proclamation on Procedures for Phytosanitary Inspection for Imported, Exported, Re-exported Goods and Goods in Transit from the Kingdom of Cambodia, ministerial proclamation on Phytosanitary Requirements of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine Strategic Development 2026-2030 and the legislative texts upon acceptance of the "Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries" and the development partners.
- Final summary report identifying accomplishments, shortcomings and making recommendations for improvement.
- The Consultant should have at least the following qualifications and expertise:
- Master’s degree in law, specializing in International Trade will be preferred or equivalent
- Minimum 10 years’ professional experience in International Trade and Development.
- Proven experience in legal drafting and legislative review.
- Familiarity with the international trade of plants and plant products, IPPC and ISPMs and knowledge of relevant international best practices would be a plus.
- Proven experience in working with Governments, international organizations and networking with national and international stakeholders.
- Familiarity with the Cambodian legal system is an asset.
- Fluency in written and spoken English; and
- Fully proficient computer skills
- Fluency in English
- Working in a Khmer language is desired.
