Result of Service

1. Successfully completed 4th Phase of the initiative on Digital trade regulatory integration.

2. Strengthened research capacity of ATPC on trade-related issues, particularly in the areas of digital trade/e-commerce, trade policy analysis, trade and environment, and AfCFTA Agreement’s negotiation and implementation.

3. Enhanced quality and availability of data to better assist African member States to design and formulate trade policies.

4. Successfully organized ATPC events on trade-related issues.

Work Location

Addis Ababa

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC), through the Regional Integration and Trade Division, is a specialized unit within the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Its mission is to act as the leading Africa-based Centre of excellence and a continental hub for providing and coordinating technical support for the development of trade policies in Africa. ATPC works with stakeholders at all levels to enhance the implementation of sound national, regional and international trade strategies, policies and programs. The Centre also conducts research to generate and disseminate knowledge on trade and provides policy advice, training and capacity building based on the needs identified by its partners.

ATPC is currently executing a Project that focus on supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to boost-intra-African trade. The Agreement establishing the AfCFTA was signed in March 2018, entered into force in May 2019 and the official start of trading under the Agreement started on 1 January 2021. The AfCFTA is seen as a key milestone in Africa’s integration Agenda. The AfCFTA is expected to be a key engine of economic growth, industrialization and sustainable development in Africa in line with the 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 for “The Africa We Want”.

For the AfCFTA to deliver the expected outcomes, priority actions are to be undertaken in the short to medium run. Firstly, the ratification of the AfCFTA by all the African Union (AU) member States is critical. Secondly, there is a need to build on the political momentum behind the AfCFTA to support policy reforms that are aimed at implementing the Agreement. In this regard, it is critical for member States to undertake deliberate actions and deploy necessary efforts through effective and integrated national AfCFTA implementation strategies with a view to maximize the benefits of the Agreement while minimizing potential induced adverse effects.

ATPC is playing a key role in support of the AU and its member States to successfully conclude negotiations on issues from Phase I (on trade in goods and trade in services) and Phase II (on investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy, digital trade/e-commerce and women and youth in trade) and subsequent implementation. Therefore, ATPC must continue to produce high-quality research on all those issues that are at the heart of the AfCFTA process to facilitate decisions to be made by the member States and ensuring that expected benefits from the AfCFTA can be maximized.

It is in this context that the ECA, through ATPC, proposes to recruit a trade analyst to carry out a variety of research-related tasks to support the substantive work of the Centre on trade policy issues, including but not limited to digital trade, trade policy analysis, trade and environment, AfCFTA Agreement’s negotiation and implementation.

Duties & Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, and the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the African Trade Policy Centre, the consultant will work closely with the Project Officer and any other person assigned by ECA.

The tasks to be performed by the consultant include:

1. Assist with the planning and coordination of the 4th phase of the Digital trade regulatory integration initiative in Africa;

2. Provide research support to the ATPC team, including but not limited to issues related to digital trade/e-commerce, trade
policy analysis, trade and environment, AfCFTA Agreement’s negotiation and implementation, as may be needed;

3. Collect, compile and analyze data on trade-related issues;

4. Provide support with planning, organization and servicing of events (including trainings/courses) in relation to trade;

5. Assist with any other ad-hoc request.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or above) in Economics, Trade, Foreign Affairs or related fields is required. Minimum five (5) years of experience in research or/and analysis, preferably in the areas of trade, is required. Experience working in Africa with knowledge of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are also required. Experience on digital trade is desirable. Experience in management or coordination of project or/and teaching is desirable. Experience in trade policy analysis, including using econometric models, is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in both English and French is required.

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.