Ultimate result of service • Enhanced capacity of Member States to develop regional green value chains and intra-African export opportunities. • Enhanced understanding of Member States and RECs on green investment opportunities under the AfCFTA.

Work from home

2 months

Purpose The objective of this assignment is to support the implementation of African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) activities focused on enhancing the capacity of African Member States to identify climate-resilient, green trade opportunities in the context of the AfCFTA by drafting Green Supplements to Congo and Equatorial Guinea’s National AfCFTA Implementation Strategies and Action Plans, and design related capacity building material for national stakeholders. Duties and Responsibilities Background: The ATPC is a specialized unit in the Regional Integration & Trade Division (RITD) of 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. It 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 has a work programme focused on examining the important linkages between trade and the environment. Covid-19 and global geopolitical tensions have 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 countries mitigate climate change, adapt to its adverse effects, and build resilience. The landmark African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens new opportunities for doing so, in turn delivering on the Paris Agreement, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (climate action) and 15 (life on land). In this context, ATPC is hiring one (1) regional consultant and two (2) national consultants to draft studies on priority actions to realize green and climate-resilient trade opportunities in Congo and Equatorial Guinea. The national studies will be published as supplements to Congo and Equatorial Guinea's National AfCFTA Implementation Strategies (Green Supplements) These Green Supplements will help Congo and Equatorial Guinea realize green intra-African and global trade and climate adaption opportunities. The studies should address the following topics: • Green trade opportunities, including those arising from the AfCFTA and regional value chains • Sectoral climate adaptation needs • Regulatory alignment • Options for sustainable production and value addition • Non-tariff measures (NTMs) • Transparency and cost effectiveness • Green standards • Cooperation among value chain actors • Advancing the role of women in value chains • Regional cooperation opportunities on market access and NTMs. Building on the study on green and climate-resilient value chains in Central Africa and the National AfCFTA Strategy and Action Plan, the consultant will conduct desk research and analysis as appropriate and undertake extensive consultations with value chain stakeholders (national AfCFTA committees, regulators, producers, traders, support services, etc.). Consultations will be conducted through national workshops, fields missions, interviews and surveys. Based on the research findings, the consultant will draft the study, which is expected to contain two sections: 1) An analysis of selected value chains from a national perspective, building on and aligned with in-depth regional value chain analysis. 2) Priority actions for the Government to promote green trade and climate change adaptation in priority value chains. The consultant will present the final draft of the study at a stakeholder workshop bringing together government and value chain representatives to review and validate the national strategy before it is adopted as a Green Supplement. The consultant is expected to work closely with ECA and the 2 national consultants throughout the delivery of the assignment. To facilitate coordination and cooperation between the consultant and ECA, the consultant is expected to share relevant draft documents for review and comments and incorporate feedback to the satisfaction of ECA in a timely manner. Objective of the Assignment: The objective of this assignment is to support the implementation of ATPC activities focused on enhancing the capacity of African Member States to identify climate-resilient, green trade opportunities in the context of the AfCFTA; and the design of a green, national AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and Action Plan. 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. To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the Consultant will perform the following key tasks: • Summarize and present key takeaways from in-depth regional value chain study from the perspective of Congo and Equatorial Guinea, as well as entry points and alignment with and potential gaps of National AfCFTA Strategy and Action Plan • Develop a methodology and an outline for the preparation of the Green Supplement to the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and Action Plan, including a timeline for the implementation of different activities, list of relevant documents and studies to be considered, and a list of stakeholders to be interviewed and consulted. • Deliver a first draft of the study and subsequently incorporate feedback and comments to the satisfaction of ECA in a second draft. • Share the final, revised, draft study prior to the validation event • Present the study and relevant research and methodology at the validation event. • Address any final comments which may be formulated at the validation event and submit the revised final study. • Prepare and delivery four capacity building sessions in each country based on the findings of the study two targeting Policymakers, and two targeting the private sector (e.g. SMEs and business associations) during national validation workshops planned for 2026. • Submit a final overview of activities undertaken in the context of this assignment, including a list of all interviewees and consultations held, and an overview of materials and studies consulted. • Respond to ad-hoc requests in relation to the project, as needed.

A Master's degree in economics, international trade, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental sciences, or a related field is required. A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience working on international trade and economic policy, or related area, is required. Prior experience working on trade policy and the environment, the green economy, and green value chain development is highly desirable. Experience working on the African Continent, particularly in the project countries, is highly desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the position advertised, fluency in French 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.