Technical Expert (Rubber Market and Policy Analysis)
Position Circumstances
- Career Category: Exec. / Management, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Agriculture
- Schedule:Full-time
- Salary: Negotiable
Type of requisition: PSA.NAT
Organizational Unit: FAO Representation in Cambodia
Duration: 50 days on WAE
Reporting Lines
The Technical Expert (Rubber Market and Policy Analysis) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Cambodia, and under the technical oversight of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). He/She will collaborate closely with FAO programme team, government counterparts, development partners, private sectorand agricultural cooperatives.
Technical Focus
The analysis includes an assessment of the local rubber market (supply and demand by product type), the current tax and tariff regimes for rubber import/export and tire production, and the economic impact of these policies on the competitiveness of local natural rubber in domestic tire manufacturing. It also provides actionable policy recommendations—such as tax and tariff adjustments and targeted incentives—to enhance the competitiveness of Cambodian natural rubber and strengthen the local tire value chain.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Understanding the Landscape and Demand
- Assess the rubber demands of local tire factories and identify their challenges in sourcing local rubber. This involves a deep dive into the specific needs of these manufacturers, understanding their current consumption patterns, quality requirements, and the practical difficulties they encounter when considering or attempting to procure natural rubber from Cambodian suppliers.
- Analyzing the Policy Environment
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current tax and tariff regime, involving:
- Review all applicable regulations related to the export of natural rubber, the import of both natural and synthetic rubber, and the import and domestic production of car tires and their components within Cambodia.
- Examine existing duties, taxes, and any other levies or incentives that influence the cost structure and trade flows of these crucial materials and products.
- Assess the impact of these existing tax and tariff structures on the competitiveness of local natural rubber within the domestic car tire manufacturing sector, involving quantitative analysis to determine how current policies financially affect the attractiveness of using local rubber versus imported alternatives for tire production.
- Identifying Barriers and Seeking Solutions
- Identify potential disincentives or barriers within the current tax and tariff framework that hinder the greater uptake of Cambodian natural rubber by local tire factories, pinpointing specific policy elements that may inadvertently discourage local sourcing, whether through costs, administrative burdens, or other constraints.
- Benchmark Cambodia's rubber and tire-related tax and tariff policies against those of comparable rubber-producing and tire-manufacturing countries both regionally and globally, highlighting best practices and identifying policy approaches that have successfully promoted local sourcing or industrial integration in those countries.
- Crafting Actionable Recommendations
- Support the development of actionable policy recommendations, including specific adjustments to taxes, tariffs, and potential incentive programs, to enhance the competitive advantage and overall attractiveness of Cambodian natural rubber for use in domestic car tire production, ultimately fostering a stronger, more integrated local value chain.
- Provide technical support in consultation sessions with relevant stakeholders to present research findings and proposed policy options, gather feedback, and finalize the assignment report.
Expected Profile of Candidates
Languages:
- English - Fluent
Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Economics, Public Policy, International Trade, Industrial Engineering/Management, Agribusiness, or a closely related field;
Work History:
- At least of demonstrated experience in trade policy analysis, tariff/tax regime assessment, or industrial competitiveness studies for 10 years
Skills & Knowledge:
General & Technical Skills
- Working knowledge of English;
- National of Cambodia or resident of the country with a valid work permit.
- Strong quantitative analysis capabilities: modeling tariff/tax incidence, scenario analysis (e.g., effective rate of protection, landed cost comparisons), and basic cost-benefit reasoning;
- Ability to interpret and synthesize legal/regulatory texts (tariffs, duties, VAT/excise, exemptions, incentives);
- Proficiency with data tools and policy benchmarking frameworks;
- Understanding of Cambodia’s trade/tax context (or readiness to quickly map it), and how tariffs, VAT/excise, and incentives affect domestic input substitution and industrial competitiveness;
- Strong understanding of agricultural supply chain management;
- Experience working with government, international organizations, and/or private sector;
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal English communication skills;
- Strong independent and teamwork abilities with good organization and time management;
- Ability to write clear and concise technical documents.
- Proven track record conducting sector-specific value chain analyses—ideally in agro‑commodities, or manufacturing inputs;
- Experience working with or advising ministries, customs/tax authorities, and industry associations on policy design, regulatory review, or incentive frameworks;
- Proven experience in conducting market research and feasibility studies;
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills;
Soft Skills
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
