Result of Service

The consultancy will contribute within the relevant timeframe, to strengthen capacity of MS to implement an effective business enabling the development of electric mobility industry value chain including tariff offers and services commitment.

Work Location

Africa

Expected duration

4 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are: Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; Developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; Designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; Contributing solutions to regional and trans-boundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; Advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.
The Sub-regional Office for North Africa of the ECA (ECA SRO-NA) is located in Rabat (Morocco), and serves seven member states: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia. The main objective is to contribute to achieving structural transformation and balanced development through implementation of an environment conducive to the creation of employment for women and young people in North Africa. Its core functions are: Strengthening the capacity of member states in the sub-region to design and implement national policies and strategies for sustainable employment creation; Contributing to the implementation of sub-regional development priorities in line with the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 with due consideration for youth and gender perspectives; Improving macroeconomic and fiscal policies, and to ensure sustainable growth; Providing relevant technical assistance to member states and to regional economic communities and intergovernmental organizations in building their capacities to sustain economic, social and political transformation, with a particular focus on employment, skills and balanced development, with the aim of ensuring inclusive growth, taking into consideration access to equal opportunities for women and young people.

Background and rationale for support
The ECA SRO-NA is implementing a study to enhance the technical and institutional capacities of three African countries, namely Morocco, DRC and Zambia, to develop and implement effective business enabling environments for the electric mobility industry value chain, in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
The AfCFTA agreement was signed in March 2018 and came into effect in January 2021, with 54 of the 55 African Union member states having ratified the agreement. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to create a single market for goods and services, promote intra-African trade, and enhance economic growth and development on the continent.
One of the key objectives of the AfCFTA is to enhance regional value chains in Africa. Regional value chains refer to the production networks that link firms, industries, and countries in a particular region, enabling them to specialize in different stages of the production process and create higher value-added products. By promoting regional value chains, the AfCFTA aims to enhance the competitiveness of African firms, increase productivity, create jobs, and promote economic diversification and structural transformation.
The development of regional value chains in Africa is particularly relevant in the context of electric mobility. The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) presents significant opportunities for Africa, as the continent is rich in critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, and lithium, which are used in the production of batteries. However, to fully harness the potential of electric mobility, African countries need to develop the necessary infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and skills, as well as strengthen their capacity to participate in regional and global value chains. This requires targeted policies and investments, as well as effective collaboration among different stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, and civil society.
Electric mobility is gaining increasing interest globally due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Electric mobility is an emerging sector that has the potential to revolutionize the transportation sector in Africa. The African continent has the opportunity to leverage its resources and develop a competitive electric mobility value chain, which can contribute to the sustainable growth of African economies.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents opportunities for African countries to develop their industries, including the electric mobility industry value chain. However, there are challenges related to investment, intellectual property rights, market opportunities and constraints, competition policy and e-commerce, tariffs, and services. Therefore, this project aims to assess the potential of selected value chains on electric mobility, its potential growth, markets opportunities, business environment prerequisites, and implementation in the context of the AfCFTA and to strengthen the capacity of Morocco, Zambia, and RDC to develop their electric mobility industry value chain and implement an effective business environment for the sector.

Scope and tasks of work
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of section of Employment and skills development and the overall supervision of the Director of ECA SRO-NA, the lead consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Develop a comprehensive work plan and timeline for the consultancy project.
2. Coordinate and oversee the activities of the overall consultancy.
3. Conduct a literature review on electric mobility regional value chains and related issues in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as well as assess best practices in the Emobility Regional value chains.
4. Collect data through interviews with stakeholders in Morocco, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With government officials, industry representatives, research institutions, and other relevant actors. The interviews should aim to gather insights on electric mobility, value chain development, market dynamics, policy frameworks, and investment opportunities.
5. Analyze the data collected and assess the potential of electric mobility regional value chains between Morocco, Zambia, and DRC within the context of the AfCFTA. This analysis should consider factors such as market demand, supply chain integration, infrastructure requirements, regulatory frameworks, and regional collaboration opportunities.
6. Identify investment opportunities and constraints related to the development of electric mobility regional value chains in the three countries. This involves examining financing options, public-private partnerships, technology transfer mechanisms, and regulatory barriers that impact investment decisions.
7. Analyze and examine intellectual property rights issues related to electric mobility regional value chains and their impact on market opportunities and constraints. This analysis should consider patent protection, licensing agreements, technology transfer, and the potential for innovation and knowledge sharing.
8. Analyze competition policy related to electric mobility regional value chains. This includes assessing market competition, market entry barriers.
9. Evaluate tariffs and services related to electric mobility regional value chains and their impact on market opportunities and constraints. This evaluation should consider customs duties, trade facilitation measures, transportation costs, and the availability of supporting services such as charging infrastructure and maintenance facilities.
10. Identify the business environment prerequisites for the development of electric mobility regional value chains in the three countries. This involves examining factors such as regulatory frameworks, policy incentives, skill development programs, and industry clusters that can support the growth of the sector.
11. Provide an analysis of the electric mobility regional value chains, including investment opportunities, intellectual property rights, market opportunities and constraints, competition policy, tariffs and services. This study should provide a comprehensive analysis of the sector and offer insights and recommendations for stakeholders.
12. Contribute and coordinate to an analytical study on the market potential, value chain linkages, critical milestones, and the potential impact of electric mobility regional value chains. This analysis should identify key market segments, value chain actors, critical success factors, and potential socio-economic and environmental impacts (Job creation, GDP Growth, trade …).
13. Provide a technical brief on electric mobility regional value chains and AfCFTA-related issues outlining the development of an effective business environment and targeted support measures to promote electric mobility value chains. It should also consider the implementation of the AfCFTA and its implications for regional trade in the sector.
14. Organize and facilitate a capacity-building workshop for high-level senior policymakers. The workshop should aim to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the development of electric mobility regional value chains.
15. Provide recommendations on the implementation of electric mobility regional value chains within the context of the AfCFTA based on the analysis conducted and taking into account the specific contexts of Morocco, Zambia, and DRC. They should provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners.
16. Provide regular progress reports and final reports
Anticipated Deliverables and Implementation schedule

The following deliverables are expected from the lead consultant:
1. Comprehensive literature review: The deliverable should include a well-structured and concise summary of key findings, trends, and emerging issues. (Expected completion: (Expected completion by End of August
2. Stakeholder data collection and interviews: The deliverable should include detailed interview transcripts, data analysis, and insights derived from stakeholder engagement. (Expected completion: by first week of October )
3. Analytical study on electric mobility regional value chains: The deliverable should include a comprehensive report presenting the analytical findings, methodologies used, a sectoral map of the electric mobility value chain in Morocco, Zambia, and the DRC, identifying potential areas of collaboration and value addition, the different stages and components of the electric mobility value chain, highlighting potential linkages and opportunities for cooperation among the three countries and recommendations for the development of potential electric mobility regional value chains. (Expected completion: first draft: End of August and final draft : first week of October )
4. Technical briefs: These briefs should provide concise informative summaries of the main findings from the analytical study. (Expected completion: by third week of October )
5. Workshop: a capacity-building workshop facilitated and completed for high-level senior policymakers. The workshop should aim to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the development of electric mobility regional value chains. Expected completion by third week of November
6. Final report: The report should also include an executive summary highlighting the main points. (Expected completion: December 12th)

The final plan and deadlines for the deliverables will be discussed and decided in consultation between the lead consultant and ECA SRO-NA

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or Engineer diploma or PHD) in economics, energy, industry or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of 10 years of experience in Economic development or energy sector, or industrial development or related areas is required
Expertise in electric mobility industry, including market trends, investment opportunities, and regulatory frameworks is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this consultancy, Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat is required. Knowledge of the other is desirable

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.