SRO-SA International Consultant to conduct a Study evaluating sequencing approaches for upgrading industries, fostering innovation, and facilitating technology transfer in targeted sectors in Southern

To evaluate potential sequencing approaches that enable industrial upgrading, foster green innovation, and facilitate technology transfer in targeted sectors across six Southern African countries.

Hybrid

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1. Introduction /Context This study evaluates sequencing approaches for industrial upgrading, fostering innovation, and facilitating technology transfer in priority sectors across Southern Africa. It is undertaken within the framework of the UN DA 17th Tranche Project on Innovative Climate Action to Accelerate Green and Inclusive Industrialization in the Southern Africa Region. The study is one of four interlinked research activities designed to guide project outcomes. Each addresses different entry points in the green and greening industrialization agendas from the perspectives of government policymakers, private sector actors, and academic/CBO stakeholders who contribute to national innovation systems. Industrial upgrading and sequencing approaches here refers to the strategic ordering of policy, institutional, and technological interventions that allow industries to modernize progressively in an inclusive and environmentally sustainable manner. Lightly drawing on the concept of industrial agglomeration, this study emphasizes that foundational elements such as infrastructure, skills, and financing must often be introduced in a specific order to build innovative clusters and generate cumulative impacts. Key entry points for the project include green minerals and energy extractives; renewable energy systems; carbon credit markets; circular economy sectors. Some member states have noted a particular interest in waste management, and upcycling. The study also emphasizes the importance of supporting MSMEs, including women- and youth-owned enterprises, in leveraging green technologies and strengthening value chains. It aligns with global commitments including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDGs 9, 12, and 13), while reinforcing UNECA’s mandate to promote climate-resilient, inclusive industrial policies in the region. Greening industrialization is a transformative process that embeds environmental sustainability into industrial development. It emphasizes efficient resource allocation by reducing the consumption of water, energy, and raw materials, while simultaneously optimizing productivity. A key feature is the minimization of harmful emissions and the adoption of advanced waste management systems to address residual waste and industrial symboisis. Beyond production, greening industrialization prioritizes the modernization of infrastructure—transport, logistics, and energy systems—designed to address resource efficiency minimize environmental impacts. Strategic investment in clean energy technologies, energy-efficient transport, and climate-resilient logistics transforms infrastructure from passive enablers of growth into active drivers of sustainability. At its core, greening industrialization requires a collective shift among governments, industries, and consumers to rethink production and consumption patterns. This shift underpins efforts to decouple economic growth from natural resource depletion, fostering reduced resource use and waste across the full life cycle of products—from design and manufacturing to consumption and disposal. In doing so, it advances the principles of a circular economy, where sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience are integrated into industrial pathways. At the Sub-regional level the industrial upgrading landscape varies considerably across the six participating countries (Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). While South Africa has advanced capabilities in renewable energy and automotive manufacturing, other countries are at earlier stages of transformation, focusing on mineral beneficiation (Namibia, Zambia) and agro-based value chains (Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe). Persistent challenges include limited access to affordable finance, skills shortages, and weak regional industrial linkages and access to markets. Nonetheless, there is growing appetite for technological upgrading, with countries exploring opportunities in green hydrogen, electric vehicles, agro-processing, and clean technologies. Emerging policies highlight the need to strengthen innovation systems, technology transfer, and institutional capacity to support MSMEs and value chain development. The empirical literature suggest that firms are more inclined to adopt new technologies when there are clear incentives, capacity-building support, and policy certainty and guaranteed uptake of green/low carbon products. This appetite aligns with the broader regional aspiration for green and inclusive industrialization, particularly as countries seek to align with climate goals and create employment in low-carbon sectors. Southern African countries are increasingly adopting policy frameworks to facilitate innovation and technology transfer, but significant gaps remain in institutional capacity, cross-border collaboration, and MSME support. A value chain approach offers an effective tool for identifying strategic points to enhance productivity, strengthen linkages, and increase value addition. This is particularly relevant for Zambia and Zimbabwe in advancing mineral beneficiation, and for Malawi and Mozambique in scaling agro-processing. The Innovation Systems perspective underscores that knowledge access, technology availability, and absorptive capacity are critical for firms to participate meaningfully in value chains. However, National Systems of Innovation (NSI) across the region are uneven: South Africa has an advanced system, while others are still emerging. Inclusivity—especially for MSMEs and women- and youth-led enterprises—remains a key challenge. Technological upgrading must therefore be accompanied by integrated diagnostics of value chains, production efficiency, and sustainability practices. With sustainable production and energy efficiency now central to competitiveness, embedding green technologies in industrial upgrading is essential. This study will inform policies to foster progressive, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable industrial transformation across Southern Africa, aligning economic modernization with resilience and climate goals. The study will therefore inform policy strategies and practical pathways for progressive, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable industrial transformation in Southern Africa. Duties and Responsibilities Reporting Chief of the Inclusive Industrialization Section of ECA SRO-SA will supervise the consultant, in close collaboration with the project team. The overall guidance for the study and project is provided by the Director, SRO-SA. The Consultant will : I. Identify the most relevant sequencing approaches that support industrial upgrading, enhance innovation capabilities in priority industries, and enable efficient technology transfer from research institutions, global or regional firms and innovation centres to local enterprises and production systems. II. Examine the status of industrial upgrading of industries in the selected countries, with illustrative examples. III. Shortlist promising low-carbon regional value chains with good potential to drive greening industrialization, e.g., renewable energy and circular economy sectors. IV. Gauge industry appetite for technological upgrading, upcycling and innovation to improve the competitiveness of businesses and sectors in the drive towards greening industrialization. V. Identify sector-specific prerequisites for successful industrial upgrading, particularly agro-processing including natural fibres, green transition or critical minerals. VI. Map upcycling opportunities and provide illustrative case studies (from the region and where appropriate globally), particularly projects or companies which offer practical and accessible examples of re-tooling and upgrading production. VII. Document global best practices in sequencing industrial upgrading and technology transfer. VIII. Apply a gender-sensitive analysis lens to ensure approaches are accessible to women and youth-led enterprises. IX. Formulate gender-sensitive policy recommendations to guide policymakers and other stakeholders. As part of her/his assignment the consultant will regularly share findings and information, and participate in coordination meetings with experts in charge of preparing regional studies on greening industrialization and climate action, renewable energy, MSMEs and the circular economy as part of the UNDA 17th Tranche project on Innovative Climate Action to Accelerate Green and Inclusive Industrialization in the Southern Africa Region. These exchanges and meetings will aim to avoid duplication and maximize synergies between the consultant’s work and that of the other three regional experts.

An advanced degree in any of the following areas: economics, development studies, industrial development, regional integration\ trade, or any of the relevant social science fields, with demonstrable and extensive knowledge in industrialization and value chains. At least 10 years’ professional experience in any of the following: industrial policy development, regional integration, international development, industrialisation, economic development and trade in Southern Africa with extensive knowledge and understanding the industrial policies and industry sector in at least a couple of the countries covered in the project, i.e., Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations ,for this assignment ,Fluency in English is required

Not available.

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.