Customs Advisor

Country

Hargeisa, Somaliland

Project Name

Somali Enhancing Public Resource Management Project

Reference No

SO-MOF-SL-527068-CS-INDV

Place of Assignment

Hargeisa, Somaliland

Project ID

P177298                          IDA-E1360

Project Title

Customs Advisor - Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED)

Background

The Government of Somaliland, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), has prioritized strengthening customs administration as a cornerstone for enhancing domestic revenue mobilization, facilitating trade, and improving fiscal discipline. Customs revenues represent a significant share of national income, and effective customs operations are critical to support economic growth, regional integration, and international trade competitiveness.

Despite notable progress in recent years, Somaliland Customs faces multiple challenges, including outdated tariff structures, limited automation, weak risk management systems, gaps in legal and regulatory frameworks, and insufficient institutional capacity. These constraints hinder revenue collection, create inefficiencies in clearance procedures, and affect the country’s ability to align with international standards such as the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement and the Harmonized System (HS).

The Custom Advisor is critical to provide technical guidance, support institutional reforms, and ensure that customs modernization initiatives are strategic, actionable, and sustainable. The Advisor will play a central role in aligning Somaliland Customs with international standards while contributing to fiscal stability, trade facilitation, and long-term economic development.

B. Objective(s) of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to provide strategic and technical advisory support to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) in strengthening and modernizing the Somaliland Customs administration.

Specific objectives are to:

1. Align customs tariff management, valuation, and trade facilitation processes with international standards and regional agreements.
2. Support legal and regulatory reforms to modernize customs legislation, procedures, and compliance mechanisms.
3. Establish and operationalize a risk-based customs management framework to enhance efficiency and enforcement.
4. Provide technical guidance for the development and integration of a modern Customs Management System (CMS).
5. Build institutional and human capacity through training, mentoring, and development of SOPs and training manuals.
6. Lead the formulation of the Somaliland Customs Strategic Plan (2026–2029) and develop an actionable work plan for phased implementation.
7. Strengthening monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems to ensure effective implementation of customs reforms.

D. Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on qualification, experience and competencies of the candidate and followed by an interview.

Qualifications and experience

Educational Qualifications:

·         Master’s degree in International Trade, Public Policy, Law, Economics, Public Finance, or a closely related field.

·         Additional professional certifications or specialized training in customs modernization, WTO agreements, or trade facilitation will be considered an advantage.

Professional Experience:

·         Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in customs administration, reform advisory, trade facilitation, or related fields.

·         Demonstrated expertise in at least three of the following:

o    Tariff management and classification in alignment with the Harmonized System (HS).

o    Customs valuation consistent with the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement.

o    Customs risk management frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.

o    Customs automation and systems development, including CMS/ASYCUDA or similar.

o    Legal and regulatory reforms, including drafting and reviewing customs legislation and SOPs.

o    Capacity building and institutional strengthening, including training design and delivery.

·         Proven experience in developing or implementing customs strategic plans and action plans at the national or institutional level.

·         Experience working with or in customs departments in fragile or developing country contexts, preferably in Africa or the Horn of Africa is desirable.

• Prior engagement in World Bank or donor-funded public sector reform projects is desirable.

F. Duration of Assignment: The assignment is expected to take 12 months.

G. The Ministry of Finance and Economic: The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development with the SERP Project Implementation Unit, seeks an experienced, highly qualified and committed Somaliland Custom Advisor: (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

Submission Requirements: The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and March 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  

I. The Individual Consultant will be hired based on the World Bank’s Guidelines for Selection and Employment of Consultants (July 1, 2016, and updated November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and March 2025).

J. Mode of submission of Applications: Interested applicants can access additional information, including the detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment, by visiting the following website:   www.slmof.org  or can be provided upon submission of application by e-mail or in person. The e-mail address is provided below from 8:00 to 13:00. p.m. Hargeisa time (Excluding public holidays).

K. Deadline: Expressions of interest (EOI) and CV must be delivered (by e-mail or in person) in a written form of hard copy (if not by e-mail) to the address below by 31st January 2026 at 13:00 pm (Hargeisa Time) – marked clearly as – Custom Advisor.

Attention:

Project Coordinator

Somali Enhancing Public Resource Management Project (SERP)

Ministry of Finance & Economic Development

Opp. of the Ministry of Education and Science

Hargeisa, Somaliland

Email Address: To: [email protected]  & Copy: [email protected]