Consultancy to Review the Corporate Governance Framework of Pacific Trade & Invest

REQUEST FOR TENDERS

CONSULTANCY TO REVIEW THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK OF PACIFIC TRADE & INVEST

Pacific Islands Trade and Invest (PT&I) is the trade and investment promotion agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Established in 1979, PT&I is mandated to promote export and investment opportunities for Pacific Island Countries (PICs). With offices in Auckland, Beijing, Geneva, Sydney and Tokyo[1] and a presence in Europe, the PT&I network is positioned to facilitate inward investment and connect Pacific Island producers to global value chains with the ultimate aim of advancing the economic development of the PICs.

PT&I seeks and promotes investment through its network and supports the development and promotion of Pacific Island exports. PT&I also provides capacity building support to firms seeking to become export ready, and assists in promoting and facilitating export-capable businesses.

To determine the medium to long-term effectiveness of the PT&I network as measure in against mandated objectives, an extensive independent review of the PT&I was undertaken 2013. The review gave rise to a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening the operation and functioning of the network. Central among those recommendations is the call for the establishment of a new and better coordinated private sector led governance model. The rationale for this proposed change responds to the assessed need to more effectively respond to the growing demands and specific needs of clients and stakeholders.

While the 2013 Review identified one possible approach towards achieving an enhanced governance model, this consultancy is expected to produce a minimum of two (2) and maximum of three (3) options/recommendations. Proposed options are to be based on best-practice models taking into account the legal status of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and the PT&I; the relationship between PT&I offices and their host governments; respective funding arrangements; implications on the overall public policy objectives of the PT&I; and other relevant aspects of the PT&I reform programme.

Recommended options for a new governance model will takes into account:

· The Establishment Agreements for each office and the Review of the Pacific Island Trade and Invest (2013);

· The assessed need for increased private sector oversight and direction;

· Sustainability (financial and policy); and

· The need for increased operational autonomy.

· The operation of the offices as an integrated entity/network where individual offices support each other and achieve the whole of network outcomes for Pacific Islands.

Core Responsibilities

The PIFS invites tenders from suitably qualified consultants to undertake a comprehensive independent assessment of the governance framework
of the PT&I including its relationship with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The key outputs of this work will entail implementable recommendations
based on best practice models of corporate governance frameworks that will enhance the functioning of the network and secure the sustainability of the
PT&I as a leader in trade and investment promotion for the Pacific private sector exports and contributing to increased investments in Pacific Island
Countries.

The consultant shall undertake desk research; consultations with the PIFS Executive and Senior Management and the management and staff of
PT&I offices and all relevant stakeholders. As an integral part of this work, the consultant will produce an implementation road map for each proposed
recommendation to include as well, indicative timescales and potential cost implications for implementation and future administration. [2] 

In this regard, the Secretariat is seeking a suitably qualified consultant to undertake this assignment in accordance to the specifications contained in the Terms of Reference which can be downloaded here or at www.tenders.net/forumsec.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions should be clearly marked as:

REQUEST FOR TENDER – Consultancy to Review the Corporate Governance Framework of Pacific Trade & Invest

Method of Submissions:

Submissions must be forwarded in PDF format following the instructions at: www.tenders.net/forumsec .

*All interested bidders will need to register at www.tenders.net/forumsec.

Deadline for Submissions:

Submissions need to reach the Forum Secretariat by 5pm (Fiji time) Friday 27 January 2017.

Late or incomplete tenders will not be considered.

All queries or requests for information must be submitted via the Question and Answer Forum on www.tenders.net/forumsec before 5pm on Wednesday 18 January 2017.

All queries will be responded to via the Question and Answer Forum on www.tenders.net/forumsec before 5pm on Friday 20 January 2017.

Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of the Bid documents due to any reason whatsoever.

Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award. Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.

In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the Request for tender, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.

[1] Trading as Pacific Islands Centre based in Tokyo, Japan.

[2] The Pacific Islands Forum is a political grouping of 16 independent and self-governing states. Members include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshal Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is situated in Suva, Fiji. The Secretariat provides policy advice and technical assistance to its Members to stimulate economic growth, enhance governance and security for the region and to strengthen regional cooperation and integration.