A. BACKGROUND

The World Bank (WB) and the EU agreed to implement a new hybrid Trust Fund (TF) aimed to support the efforts of the Government of Mongolia (GOM) to improve fiscal discipline, public financial management (PFM), as well as transparency and accountability processes for strengthened governance in Mongolia. 

This new TF, through both Recipient Executed (RE) and Bank Executed (BE) interventions, will serve two main purposes. Firstly, it will complement and expand the ongoing technical assistance the WB is providing through the Strengthening Fiscal and Financial Stability (SFFS) Project. Secondly, this TF will support the GOM in advancing the current efforts toward increasing transparency, participation and accountability in fiscal matters as well as in strengthening its capacity to deal with non-technical drivers of the reform process that prevent state agencies from implementing policies and regulations as intended. 

The Component 1 of the TF will focus primarily on supporting the specific needs of the GOM to strengthen macroeconomic and public finance management through four core activities (1) development of capacity for the Fiscal Stability Committee; (2) asset and liability management; (3) tax and revenue administration; and (4) research and analysis to improve budget and financial policies.        

The GOM joined the Inclusive Framework on BEPS in 2018 to protect domestic revenue sources and promote international cooperation on taxation. Consequently, some of the BEPS standards were incorporated into Mongolian tax laws as part of the reform package.

The MOF and GDT have been working on implementing BEPS in compliance with these policy documents and domestics tax laws by developing necessary rules and regulations while constantly reviewing latest peer reviews and publications presented by the OECD and other international organizations.

In addition, the MOF and GDT are closely working with consultants from OECD and other development partners to discuss and review the implementation of these policy measures and updating the rules and regulations on a continues basis.

Due to limited personnel and capacity at the MOF and GDT, the MOF is seeking to hire qualified National Consultant to carry out and provide support for the implementation of BEPS actions. 

B. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the assignment is to carry out and provide support for the implementation of BEPS actions.

C. SCOPE OF WORK

Key responsibilities under this assignment will include the following tasks, but not limited to:

1. Provide technical assistance to the MOF team on the joining of Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS; 

2. Carry out research/assessment on BEPS Action 1 (Tax matters related to Digitalization) in terms of customization to the Mongolian context and provide recommendations;

3. Provide technical support to the MOF team during the preparation and actual review on the implementation of BEPS minimum standards (peer review);

4. Collaborate with MOF and General department of taxation (GDT) officials on measuring impacts of introduced BEPS actions through established methodologies, data analysis and other tools as suggested in BEPS Action 11 (BEPS data analysis);

5. Cooperate with officials from the OECD and other development partners on BEPS issues;

6. Other tasks as reasonably requested by the Client. 

D. DELIVERABLES

The National Consultant will be required to provide the following deliverables:

1. Agreed and approved BEPS action plan;

2. Submission of the package for Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS, including draft version of presentation notes, government resolutions and approval laws; 

3. Research/Assessment paper on the BEPS Action 1 (Tax matters related to Digitalization) along with relevant recommendations and findings;

4. Compliance report on implementation of the BEPS actions;

5. Other reports request by the Client. 

E. CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATIONS/ SELECTION CRITERIA

• Education: A suitable candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field: finance, economics, business administration or a relevant discipline;

• Experience: Candidate should have at least two years of professional experience in finance and economics;

• Language skills: Fluent written and spoken skills in English (at least iBT 100 score or IELTS 7.5 score);

• Computer literacy: Be proficient in MS Office such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and have preferably skills for excellent web research and navigation skills; and

• Other: Excellent analytical, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to function effectively and collaboratively in a team environment; high integrity and accountability.

F. SUPERVISION AND REPORTING

• The Consultant will report directly to the Head of the Budget Revenue Division (BRD) and Director General of the Fiscal Policy and Planning Department (FPPD), MOF and will work on a day-to-day basis with officers, international and local consultants of the FPPD on all matters related to the assignment. The Head of the BRD and the Director General of the FPPD will meet regularly with the Consultant to review progress with the work program and to resolve any outstanding issues.

• The Consultant will work closely with respective officials of governments and the GDT.

• The Consultant will be required to carry out his/her tasks in line with the approved CIP which will serve as a basis for measuring progress on desired outcomes and goals for the entire consultancy service.

• All information provided to the consultant will be regarded as confidential and information will not be shared with any outside individuals or organizations.

G. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Ministry of Finance (FPPD) will provide office space and will work with the consultant on a day-to-day basis. The consultant shall be provided with all necessary data and information to perform the tasks detailed in Section C.  

H. CONTRACT DURATION AND PAYMENT CONDITION

The assignment is expected to commence in October 2020. The total duration of the consultancy service rendered is estimated to be 12 months with initial probationary period of 3 months and possible extension period, if necessary. 

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