1.PURPOSE
The purpose of this assignment is to assist the project in tackling its legal and administrative issues quickly and to advise the project on complex legal and administrative issues. The assignment will be commissioned under the USAID’s Agribusiness Project (UAP) being implemented by USAID in collaboration with the Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF).
The consultants will be responsible for assisting the project management in giving day to day advice on legal issues and make clearances on behalf of the Project.
2.Background
The USAID’s Agribusiness Project is being implemented by USAID in collaboration with the Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF). This five year initiatives aim at the development to the agribusiness sector with a focus on horticulture an livestock sub-sector. The project activities will be implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders following a value chain and cluster-based approaches. The project is currently looking for a suitable candidate for the qualified consultants for the provision of legal and administrative services.
3.The Statement of Work
The Consultant will assist the project in the following ways:
- to advise the project/company on day to day legal issues/matters;
The main task of the consultant will be to give specialized legal advice to project team on day to day legal issues, as and when arises, in written or verbal form.
- to review/vet contracts/agreements;
The consultant is also expected to review all the contracts and agreements that are sent to him. The consultant must be an expert in contract and labor laws of Pakistan.
- to represent company/project in Court of Law;
The legal consultant must be an advocate of the High Courts of Pakistan and should have at least ten years of working experience. Consultant is expected to represent the project in the court cases, if any.
- to give expert legal opinion on issues that confront company in the execution of its projects;
The legal consultant is to give legal opinion on prospective projects and any other issues that confront the employer in the execution of its work.
- any other legal and administrative issue
The consultant is expected to do certain other administrative work on behalf of the project, for example, making clearances of GST etc and any other relevant task that is assign to him by the project administration.
Detailed Methodology and Action Plan: The consultant will develop a detailed work plan and a brief suggested methodology to be reviewed and approved by project management.
Progress Update: The consultant will compile a brief progress update on a monthly basis using a report template provided by the project.
Both hard and soft copies of the reports prepared in MS Word will be provided along with relevant literature reviewed to the Project. All reports should be developed in as per the standard template to be provided by the project.
5.DURATION AND TIME
The Consultant will be initially appointed for a period of one year from the date of signing the contract for a period of 5 working days per month or actual days required to complete the assignment. Contract can be extended on mutual consent of the parties.
6.COMPOSITION OF TEAM
- The project aims to select one member consultant and it will be consultants own responsibility to do his tasks at his own.
7.RELATIONSHIPS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The consultant will work under the overall direction of the Chief of Party and report through the Director Finance and Administration.
Project will introduce the consultant to relevant implementing partners, government officials and other individual key stakeholders for the accomplishment of activities through introductory letters or advance phone calls.
Project will facilitate and approve the work-related trips, interviews, and meetings. The eligible cost include, but is not be limited to: (1) monthly consultant fees; (2) lodging at work sites; (3) in-country transportation; and (4) funds for other office supplies and logistical support services, (5) Fee for court cases
8.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- The consultant should have a master’s degree in law from a reputable foreign university.
Experience:
- The consultant should have demonstrated experience of working with national and international organizations in similar capacity and must be well versed in contract, employment and labor laws.
Language:
- The consultant must have excellent English writing and speaking skills.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Working knowledge with USAID funded projects are desirable and Skills in the use of Ms Office are also essential. The consultant should be able to travel if and when required.
9.SELECTION/EVALUATION CRITERIA
Candidature will be evaluated and scored utilizing the criteria below. The total possible is 100 points.
Education: 20%
- The extent to which the applicant meets or exceeds the required level of education as described above.
Experience: 35%
- The extent to which the applicant's relevant experience and technical expertise meets or exceeds the requisite levels of professional experience set forth above.
Language: 10%
- The extent to which the applicant meets or exceeds the required language ability as explained above.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 35%
- The extent to which the applicant's relevant experience meets or exceeds the requisite levels of acquired knowledge, skills and abilities as set forth above.
- Applicants seeking the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks.
- The USAID’s Agribusiness Project reserves the right to conduct online interviews with the most highly ranked applicants.