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Candidate's Name
Customs Reform SpecialistEMAIL AVAILABLEPHONE NUMBER AVAILABLE (WhatsApp)Family name: BLARCOM1.First names: DR (BONNI)2.Date of birth: 28 June 19563.Nationality: USA4.Residence: USA5.Education:Institution (Date finish)Degree(s) & Diploma(s) obtained/Current Course(Currently in Training)IMF TADAT Assessor Training Program (enrolled)Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (Australia), 2019Customs Management: Theory and PracticeWorld Customs Organization, Knowledge Academy (2019)Certificate, Customs ManagementSydney Law School (Australia), 2004World Trade Organization Law CourseUniversity of Reading (UK), 1999Doctorate Degree, EconomicsColumbia University, (USA), 1989Masters of International AffairsUniversity of Minnesota (USA), 1995Masters of Science Degree, Agriculture EconomicsDrew University (USA), 1978Bachelor Degree, Social Science6.Key skills: Capacity Building; Data analysis; Data management; Drafting Manual of Procedures; Drafting Standard Operating Procedures; Policy analysis; Problem solving; Evaluation; Research; Synthesizing; Writing; Presentations; Public speaking, Stakeholder management.7.Present position: Senior Customs Reform Specialist, Customs and Border Management Services LLCIMF External Consultant Revenue Administration Advisor8.Key qualifications (relevant to the position):Career In Customs ReformExperienced Trainer on Custom ProceduresStrong Facilitatory of Customs work with Other Government OrganizationsExtensive Knowledge of Customs Data, Operations and Customs Information SystemsThree Decades of Extensive Experience with Building Capacity for Customs Reform. Single window coordination; Dashboard design; Inter-ministerial collaboration. Have worked on the following custom topics: Draft Development of Standard Operating Procedure for Development of Risk Profiles for ASYCUDA (2023); International Monetary Fund Customs Authority Capacity Diagnostic of Customs Processes and Capacity Building Needs Assessment (2022); IT for customs (e.g., electronic tracking in Ghana, electronic (e) customs management system in Ethiopia), e-customs value database, ethics of custom officer and anti-corruption strategy; e-technical analysis of merchandise, risk system, bulk customs clearance; e-minimum description; time release study; e-reasonable doubt; post clearance audit, exporter/importer registry; e-integrated cargo control plan; advance rulings, port security, human resource management; import specialist program, import penalties; export controls and VAT export refund; efforts to improve trade compliance (Guatemala, 2019-2021); Review regulatory environment for Anguillas customs regime and draft evaluation design document briefing notes including customs law, customs harmonization, enforcement, customs performance contract, customs performance indication, ASYCUDA and customs performance measurement (2019); Design workshop and train on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement enabling government officials to benchmark their custom related status in two weeks (2019); Assess the electronic customs management system (e-CMS); Create a capacity building strategy; Provide public awareness program on authorized economic operators; Design change management workshops; Provide recommendations on custom reforms (Ethiopia, 2018-2019); Evaluate custom procedures: authorized economic operator, post clearance audit, custom provision for couriers, pre-arrival processing, and transit; Assist in design of work plan, design survey instruments (Bangladesh, 2017); Review legislation; Draft strategy and action plan; Support the competencies of the Syrian Customs and foster the development of a code of ethics and disciplinary code; Provide Practical Tools and Concepts for implementation of Strategy and Action Plan for strengthening customs in line with international best practice (Syria, 2011); Evaluate regulatory framework of customs authority in Palestine (2010); Design custom import form for specific procedure (Zambia, 2001); Prepare training modules on customs, trade facilitation, rules of origin to improve Jordans import clearance procedure (Jordan, 1989);Excellent interpersonal skills: e.g., Facilitate the simplification of a five nation, seven organization collaboration process inProfessional experienceDate from - Date toLocationCompanyPositionDescriptionJune-Present2024USACustoms and Border Management Services LLCWriter/CustomsExpertDrafting a book entitled CADAT FIELD GUIDE: Hand Book to Assess Customs Administrations; Use of the Customs Administrative Diagnostic Assessment Tool (CADAT) with Special Attention toRisk Management, Classification, Valuation, Origin, Authorized Economic Operator, Post Clearance Check and Audit, Single Window, Enforcement and the Trade Facilitation Agreement.February May 2024MadagascarUNDPCustoms Fraud DetectionStrength the capacity of Customs to fight fraud. Understand and report on the situation with regards to valuation, post clearance audit, and risk management.Develop modules on customs valuation, post clearance audit and risk management.Train Customs staff with on-the-job training and workshops.Provide recommendations on reform of Customs legal and regulatory provisions.Provide a Fraud Detection and Post Clearance Investigation Course.November 2023 January 2024Dominican RepublicIESC with USDA FundingCustoms Risk ManagementConduct a study that analyzes current activities in support of the Dominican Republics (DR) National Trade Facilitation Committees risk management efforts to advance the DR Customs and related border inspection agencies current application of risk management protocols.Interview civil and military entities with risk management responsibilities and assess their risk management maturity level.Lead a workshop on risk management for inspection.October 2022 August 2023South SudanCustoms and Border Risk Management LLCCustoms SpecialistLead ten teams in the development of ten Standard Operating Procedures for core customs procedures: Clearance with e-customs; Clearance without e-Customs; Authorized Economic Operator; Use of Brokers; Classification; Valuation; Penalties; Exemptions; Risk Management; and Warehouse.Discuss with UNCTAD Regional Coordinator the possibility of South Sudan adapting ASYCUDA World digitalization and automation of proceduresDesign a two-week Induction Training Program.June 2022-December 2023LaosCustoms and Border Services Management LLCBorder Risk Management for Plant Quarantine ExpertInteroperable design of desk top for Ministry of Agriculture with Customs Department Single WindowAssist with identification of aspects to be automated in the clearance of goodsDraft SOP - Development of Risk Profiles for ASYCUDA;Visit 7 border posts to assist with risk management and joint inspections;Coordinate government officers with regards to risk management and use of the national single window;Assist the Department of Agriculture in liaison Customs to introduce border risk management for plant inspection;Make a presentation on Risk Management in Agriculture Trade, as well as on Plant Risk Analysis for ASYCUDA;Draft the following documents: Relevant Aspects of Laos Customs Risk Management Strategy to Department of Agriculture; Steps in Determination of Risk Levels for ASYCUDA; Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Risk Management In Agriculture Plant Trade - Creating Lao PDR Plant Risk Profiles For ASYCUDAApril 2022April 2022International Monetary FundRevenue Administration AdvisorDraft a document combining the key strategic ideas of seven International Monetary Fund webinars on Value Added Tax. Provide a compendium of the VAT webinar materials. Provide a report on the issues.Dec 2021-February 2022LibyaInternational Monetary Fund(Robert Kokoli EMAIL AVAILABLE)Revenue Administration AdvisorParticipate in a Diagnostic Mission to Review Core Revenue Administration Processes and Assess Development Needs of the Libyan Customs Administration (LCA). Review custom administration processes, undertake a capacity needs assessment of LCA, analyse the status of current custom processes, discuss with LCA staff, provide recommendations, and draft mission report.September 2019-January 2023DC & GuatemalaCustoms Border and Management Services LLC(Mary LiepoldEMAIL AVAILABLE)Customs Expert -Independent Monitor and EvaluatorMonitor and evaluate a multimillion dollar Millennium Challenge Corporation project on revenue generation from customs reform inclusive of the following projects: value database, ethics of custom officer and anti-corruption strategy; technical analysis of merchandise, risk system, bulk customs clearance; minimum description; time release study; reasonable doubt; post clearance audit, exporter/importer registry; integrated cargo control plan; advance rulings, port security, human resource management; import specialist program, import penalties; export controls and VAT export refund to improve voluntary trader compliance, and improved automation of procedures. Consult with Guatemala customs authority (SAT); Interview, review and comment upon annual work plans, gather information, revise performance indicators, provide recommendations, write reports.July 2019-September 2019DC & EgyptDMITrade Facilitation ExpertDesign and train on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement enabling government officials to benchmark their custom related status in two weeks. Provide seven-day workshops providing training materials, presentations while mentoring participants in the drafting of documents relevant to the benchmarking.March 2019-September 2019Washington, DCCustoms Policy Consulting,EMAIL AVAILABLECustoms AnalystResearch the environment around Anguillas customs regime. Draft evaluation design document and 10 briefing notes:1.Anguillas Customs Law Compliance with RKC Rules on Control of Goods2.CARICOM Single Market Economy (CSME) And Anguilla3.Customs Harmonization in The Caribbean4.Anguilla, The Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS) and theFree Circulation of Goods5.Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) in the Caribbean6.Customs Performance in The Caribbean7.Customs Performance Measurement (PMC) Contracts8.Customs Performance Measurement Indicators9.ASYCUDA World and Customs Performance Measurement10.World Bank Customs Assessment Trade Toolkit (CATT)Oct. 2018-March 2019EthiopiaFrank FergusonEMAIL AVAILABLESr. Customs ExpertAssess the electronic customs management system (e-CMS); Create a capacity building strategy; Provide public awareness program on authorized economic operators; Design change management workshops; Provide recommendations on custom reforms; Provide advice on the effort to develop a National Single WindowApril-June 2017USA & BangladeshVictoria Sesay EMAIL AVAILABLEInternationalCustoms/Trade Spec.Evaluate the USAID Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Activity with focus on custom procedures i.e., authorized economic operator, post clearance audit, custom provision for couriers, pre-arrival processing, and transit. Assist in design of work plan, design survey instruments, and interview. Analyze data, provide evidence that the project has/has not achieved desired results to date. Draw conclusions. Determine how effectively the project has implemented activities, identify course corrections, and recommend key strategic and programmatic options.March-April 2017Cairo, EgyptDMIMagdi FarahatEMAIL AVAILABLESr. Expert, NegotiationsProvide training on trade negotiations to Ministry of Industry and Trade participants, Egypt. Facilitate the development of five Briefing Notes on trade topics. Provide training manual and case studies. Work individually and in small groups to prepare for simulation negotiation delegations to roll play negotiation sessions. Provided via the EU Technical Assistance on Foreign Trade, Export Promotion and Trade Agreements Project (TDMEP)Oct-Nov 2016EgyptIESCCapacity BuilderAssist in building the capacity of Fayoum Agro Organic Development Association (FAODA) by working side-by-side, providing formal training, and reviewing and commenting on proposals (October 2016 November 2016)0ct 2015-March 2016Washington, DCGEOPEOTrade Policy AdvisorResearch Sub-Saharan African countries Category A commitments to the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement and draft a briefing note on the topic; Identify the status of trade negotiations. Review status of Ghanas trade facilitation commitments and resources available for reform and provide a briefing.May 2014-November 2014USAOptimal Solutions Group; Keven Attanasio(EMAIL AVAILABLE)Sr. Resear-cher,Inter-national Trade SpecTechnically assess the contributions of the US Agency for International Development in the field of trade facilitation; Assess the interventions, custom domains, lessons learned, synergy among project elements. Review the literature on the hypothesis that trade facilitation contributes to extreme poverty reduction; Review the literature and USAID indicators on trade facilitation. Provide a briefing.2014USATrade Policy ConsultingTrade Policy SpecialistTrade policy research: Examine U.S. trade laws, commercial policy instruments and other US government trade policy interventions comparing US law/policy with global international obligations/agreements, particularly the new WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation. Draft report identifying framework of factors influencing non-compliance.Sept 2012-Jan 2013AfghanistanSIMWTO Accession SpecialistManage the WTO activity of the SIM project drafting work plan and progress reports. Provide technical input into the Government of Afghanistans (GIRoA) Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestocks (MAIL) work by providing technical reports, analysis, suggestions and training for WTO accession negotiations; Participate in Afghanistan's Inter-ministerial Work Group on WTO Accession. Provide twelve training/capacity building sessions including Establishing a National SPS Enquiry and Notification Point, Responding to Enquiries; Processing Incoming SPS Notifications, a CODEX Focal Point, a CODEX national committee. Provide training to two national trade policy consultants. Provide on-the job, formal training and mentoring. Train on SPS issues, food safety, trade policy analysis, WTO accession requirements. Guide national consultants on review of draft legislation on food safety, plant protection, and animal and veterinary draft laws for WTO compliance.Jan 2012-Aug 2012Afghanistan and USAUSAIDGeneral Develop-ment OfficerAssist in design of $80 million of projects. Facilitate the development of a multi-nation Communication Strategy with Helmand Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL). Facilitate the simplification of five nation, seven organization collaboration process. Mentor Provincial DAIL Director in policy analysis utilizing a policy option paper for discussion of benefits and disadvantages of various options. Assist in the development of the Regional Commands (RC) Briefing of the RC General on agriculture programs in Helmand. Design a project to assess the DAIL capacity at the provincial level. Assess DAIL capacity at the district level with visits to districts. Review contractor quarterly reports for internal consistency and validation by district representatives. Assist the integration of a 60-person Army Agriculture Business Development Team to be under Marine control in three battle spaces. Mentor junior Afghan staff on project management and in providing briefings. Provide reports on activities to Senior Management. Provide summary of meetings of Coalition Combined discussions.Oct-Dec 2011ZimbabweLandell MillsTrade Policy ConsultantManage the capacity building activity: planning and implementing the program, inclusive of budget development and financial reporting. Provide assistance to Zimbabwes Ministry of Industry and Commerce to finalize its National Trade Policy. Help design, facilitate and work collaboratively with a team of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the holding of four stakeholder meetings on Zimbabwes draft national policy by Zimbabweans; Identify weaknesses in the systems and capabilities of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to implement the National Trade Policy; Provide successful training programs to 12 government agencies including Customs on trade diagnostic skills, negotiations with simulations, trade remedies, tariff analysis, trade statistics, data processing and WTO Trade Policy review issues. Assist the development of Zimbabwe in their response to the World Trade Organization regarding their trade remedies and intellectual property rights.May-Sept 2011USABlarcom & AssociatesTrade Policy SpecialistTeach Capacity Development in the International Context (Society for Human Resource Management); Review and write on Regulatory Oversight of Commission Agents: Overview of the Issues; Draft Review of Revisions to Regional Strategies of the 9th EDF (particularly covering SADC).2011LebanonBlarcom & AssociatesTrade Policy SpecialistDiscuss approaches to capacity development with professor at American University in Lebanon.Jan- April 2011SyriaGFATrade Policy ConsultantDesign Program for Adoption of World Customs Organization Code of Ethics to National Customs Service (2011); Support the competencies of the Syrian Customs and foster the development of a code of ethics and disciplinary code on EU project; Use EUs Project Cycle Management in implementation. Review legislation for conformity with best international practices; Draft strategy and action plan; Provide Practical Tools and Concepts for implementation of Strategy and Action Plan for strengthening customs in line with international best practice.June 2009 Dec2010Palestine and USABlarcom & AssociatesTrade Expert and ResearcherEvaluate regulatory framework of customs authority in Palestine (2010); Assess constraints to trade finance (Palestine, 2010); Participate in US-Central Asian Trade Ministers Meeting Public Awareness Forum and write summary of meeting for publication (2009); Teach at U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute (2010);Nov 2008-May2009PhilippinesAgriconsultingmailto:EMAIL AVAILABLETrade Policy AdvisorTeach WTO Law at the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Service Institute, 2009; Design and implement EC-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance Project II. Provide capacity building to the Philippine Government (primarily the Department of Trade and Industry) on trade policy issues (including EPA negotiations) and assist in building capacity of 23 government agencies on trade in services. Analyze and provide suggestions on new trade policy cadre and new government office on trade policy. Draft job criteria for recruitment of new trade policy officers for Ministry of Trade and Industry; Design and implement trade policy capacity building programs including programs on trade in services, trade and labor issues; Draft briefing notes, and assist with inter-agency coordination. Draft design for 18 EU trade policy sub-project activities. Draft monitoring and evaluation system for program learning, accountability and revision inclusive of log frame analysis. Design and implement advocacy program for Presidential recommendation and Senate confirmation of Kyoto Rev. Protocol on Harmonized and Simplification of Customs Procedures, inclusive of seminars, briefing material, drafts and presentations; Assist with business-government dialogue, e.g. with India; Design stakeholder continuing education to develop ownership of private sector input into government trade policy with staff of the Export Development Council, National Competitiveness Council, and Philippine Exporters Confederation.2007Nigeria and GhanaCaranaTrade Policy AdvisorEvaluate implications for EPA for ECOWAS for external tariff (2008). Analyze EC trade remedy law, regulations, procedures and administrative set up for implementation (2008). Analyze, review trade remedy framework used by EAS, the MERCOSUR common market and SACU (Southern Africa Customs Union).2007GhanaEDC (for World Bank) and OtherDevelop-ment ExpertDesign and assist in implementation of capacity building for Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) using cluster analysis on World Bank project; Research the characteristics of Competent Authorities/Investigative Authorities for anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard investigations.2007-2008PakistanMSIEconomist/Development ExpertEvaluate the Pakistan Economic Growth Program, which includes the identification of trade issues related to the Tribal Areas and increased trade with Afghanistan. Design a program for customs reform; Advise on project development for Afghanistan compliance to the World Trade Organization agreements2007-2008GhanaMagnate Tech. ServicesTrade AdvisorAssist with Customs institutional reform. Manage the trade policy advice component. Evaluate EU program to support Ghanaian customs. Design of EC 9th EDF program in support of Ghana Customs; T.A. to CEPS (Ghana customs authority) in trade facilitation matters, specially the streamlining of clearance procedures through electronic tracking systems. Program of sensitization to institutional stakeholder. Teach at the Ghana Customs Academy, 2007.2005-2007GhanaSNV (Netherlands Development Organisation/Nedwork Foundation)Trade Policy Advisor/Cross-Boarder ExpertAs Senior SPARK Advisor, I was selected by the Private Sector Development Team as the Leader. Manage a full portfolio of activities. Design and implement regional Integration and cross-border trade and development activities, facilitate institutional strengthening. Assess, propose and implement training program for documenting procedures of Customs offices, assist institutional reform to meet ISO 9001 certification; Work with Director of Human Resources in assessment of training program appropriate for new and experienced trade and commercial officers in Ministry of Trade ad Industry; (2005). Provide training and daily briefings to the National Press Club during the Hong Kong Ministerial; Advise on EPA negotiations with Ministry of Trade and CEPS (Ghana Customs Authority). Participate in Task Force on customs procedures for passenger traffic to conform with international best practices. Review Customs law for compliance with WTO custom valuation rules and Rev. Kyoto Convention. Trained Custom Officers on Customs Valuation at Customs Academy. Reviewed Ghana Customs Code of Ethics; Conduct seminars and develop training modules.2005S. KoreaConference BoardTrade Policy ConsultantWrite and present a paper to APECs Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures on Capacity Building for Trade Facilitation and SMEs. Present to ASEAN Customs Committee.2005PhilippinesBlarcom & AssoWTO Expert; Resource PersonAt the International Trade Centre (WTO/UNCTAD)/Philippine Department of Trade Business for Development Manila Meeting held to provide a forum for public-private sector discussion among representatives from 16 Asian and Middle Eastern governments and private sectors2003-2005Philippines, Bangladesh, and FranceAsian Development BankIndustry and Trade SpecialistResearch trade practice on the applied definition of surge of imports in trade cases. 1. Develop and manage the T.A. project Asian Europe (ASEM) Meeting Seminar on Customs Simplification and Harmonization. Evaluate previous work on European-Asian integration, develop and manage ASEM Meeting Seminar on Customs. Comment on customs reform in Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, Bhutan trade and industrial development, & trade financing projects. Draft analysis, report on best practices of customs reform; Liaise with other trade related organizations. Coordinate ADB's response to WTO/OECD Trade Capacity Building Database. Interact with secretariat members and staff of organizations with trade related activities, e.g. ASEAN, WB, WCO. Develop briefing book to present at the WTO Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance. Present to OECD on trade regionalism in Asia.2000-2001Zambia,Egypt, Ethiopia andZimbabweNathan AssociatesTechnical Adviser Trade/WTO ExpertDesign Customs form for preferential origin (Ghana); As Technical Advisor to the Technical committee on Trade Remedies in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) assist in drafting WTO compliant trade remedies anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguards, inclusive of working with Egyptian negotiators. Review Application of Arusha Declaration to Zambia.1995-2001Bangladesh, Uganda, United Arab Emirates,Pakistan, England, Gambia, Guatemala, and CanadaBlarcom & Assoc.Maxwell StampRe: Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAETrade Policy Expert;WTO ExpertProvide training to Bangladesh Tariff Commission. Draft, review and edit negotiation briefing papers; Assist the United Arab Emirates government in evaluation of alternative trade strategies in negotiating a Common External Tariff as a member of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council. Assist in quantitative analysis of possible trade creation and trade diversion from the establishment of a custom union. As part of a team and being Lead Technical Advisor, design trade policy dialogue workshops between the government and business community in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Analyze WTO negotiation proposals and suggest positions. Draft policy and information briefs. Topics include WTO negotiations and Pakistans compliance with existing agreements on customs valuation, rules of origin. Review Southern African Development Communitys (SADC) members participation in the WTO, including their Trade Policy Reviews, notifications, ministerial participation, submissions for the custom tariff integrated database initiative, and participation in disputes.1989JordanThe Services Group (now part of AECOM)WTO Accession AdvisorAssist Jordan with WTO accession negotiations and help build institutional capacity. Provide input for the Foreign Trade Memorandum, prepare Service Measure Listing (for service negotiations), develop twelve training modules on customs, trade facilitation, and rules of origin, etc. Draft briefing notes; prepare option papers for discussion of creation of information portal. Work to improve Jordans import clearance procedure.1981-1989Botswana,Tanzania,Somalia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya (see next column)Blarcom & Assoc. and USAID.New Zealand, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Senegal, Sudan, USA, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica,Trade Policy Expert; EconomistManage 12 USAID contracts. Evaluate projects (Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa) assessing efficiency, effectiveness, and relevance, using cost-benefit analysis, and compliance with logical framework design. Analyze WTO negotiation proposals and recommend policy positions on the following topics: rules of origin and customs valuation. Evaluate USAID programs in the US. Draft, finalize and publish US Presidentially appointed bodys (BIFAD) evaluation strategy. In a four-month mission to Morocco, work at the University de Mohammad V on a computer general equilibrium model of the economy and the impact of a devaluation on trade flows.Other relevant information: Author of over 200 articles, inclusive of published reports, articles and policy briefing notes.Current Relevant training: Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (International Monetary Fund) |
