Result of Service

Enhanced capacity of Member States to incorporate climate change and green transition considerations into trade policies, including in the AfCFTA context, and enhanced appreciation of Member States and RECs on expected green investment opportunities under the AfCFTA.

Work Location

Addis Ababa

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC), through the Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD), 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. The centre recently established a new work programme to analyse the important linkages between trade and the environment. The world’s environmental emergencies are as pressing as ever, even if they may seem distant during the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 has shed light on the fragility of Africa’s supply chains, highlighting the urgency to develop more robust and resilient regional value chains to face future climate change shocks. Trade can help to mitigate climate change and adapt to its adverse effects. The landmark African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens new opportunities for tackling climate change in Africa, and in turn delivering on the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action. In this context, ATPC is hiring a trade and environment consultant to support the implementation of activities under its trade and environment work programme. Objective of the Assignment: The objective of this assignment is to support the implementation of ATPC activities focused on enhancing the knowledge and capacity of African member States to (a) include considerations on climate change and green transition into their National AfCFTA Implementation Strategies, (b) gain a better understanding of how environmental considerations and instruments (including carbon pricing mechanisms) interact with Africa’s trade, and (c) mobilize financial resources for green projects and policies. Duties and responsibilities The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the ATPC trade and environment focal point and the overall guidance of the Coordinator of ATPC. In order to achieve the above mentioned-objective, the Consultant will perform the following key tasks: • Work closely with Member States and partners to prepare green-focused AfCFTA implementation strategies; • Provide inputs to and review green-focused AfCFTA implementation strategies; • Organize national-level stakeholder meetings to inform the development of green-focused AfCFTA implementation strategies; • Organize advocacy forums on green investment opportunities in regional economic communities (RECs); • Contribute to research on green value chains potential in the context of the AfCFTA; • Contribute to the finalization of a paper on how to mobilize green finance in Africa; • Support the implementation of other ongoing and ad-hoc ATPC trade and environment related research, capacity building, advocacy and technical assistance activities; • Contribute to the refinement of ATPC programme of work on trade and environment; • Respond to ad-hoc requests, including but not limited to climate change and environment related topics.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree or higher in economics, environmental policy, international trade, trade law or a related field is required. A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience working on the trade and environment nexus, or related area, is required. Experience working on the African Continent, is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.