Consultant for Accelerating Green and Circular Economy Transition in North Macedonia

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of the five regional commissions under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Established to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states, UNECE comprises 56 member states and covers Europe and parts of Central Asia and North America. The organization aims to foster sustainable development and economic prosperity through policy dialogue, negotiation of international legal instruments, development of regulations and norms, and the exchange and application of best practices. UNECE also provides economic and technical expertise and technical cooperation for countries with economies in transition, thereby enhancing their capacity to engage in international trade and sustainable development.

Job Overview:
This consultancy role is part of UNECE's broader initiative to assist the Government of North Macedonia in enhancing the role of trade in fostering an inclusive and transformative development path. This path is characterized by low-carbon, green technologies and circularity, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and North Macedonia's strategic ambition to join the European Union. The consultant will be tasked with delivering a comprehensive technical diagnosis of North Macedonia's alignment with the SDGs and EU frameworks across four critical pillars of quality infrastructure: accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and metrology. This includes evaluating the country's readiness for the EU Green Deal product sustainability requirements and identifying gaps and actionable steps for integration into the EU Single Market. The resulting diagnostic report will support the Government's reforms aimed at aligning with the SDGs and EU acquis, particularly focusing on the transposition and implementation of EU directives and regulations across various sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a series of tasks, including conducting a horizontal technical gap analysis of the national system of accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and metrology. This involves assessing the operational capacity of national laboratories, inspection and certification bodies, and the State Market Inspectorate to ensure compliance with EU standards. Additionally, the consultant will perform a sector-specific technical gap analysis to evaluate the capacity of the national system to implement EU sector-specific legislation in priority circular economy sectors such as construction, agriculture, food and beverages, textiles, mining, automotive, and chemicals. The consultant will also conduct a desk review of relevant legislation and development plans, and carry out in-person interviews with representatives from specialized agencies and ministries, guided by UNECE's Evaluation Methodology. The final deliverable will be a diagnostic report that incorporates feedback from UNECE and outlines the necessary revisions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in economics, science, public administration, or a related field. They should have at least 10 years of professional experience in accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and metrology. Familiarity with North Macedonia's development landscape and its systems in these areas is essential, along with an advanced understanding of the EU's horizontal framework and harmonized standards. Knowledge of EU sector-specific regulatory frameworks and the EU Green Deal is also required. Familiarity with international accreditation cooperation agreements and recommendations from the International Organization of Legal Metrology is advantageous. Strong analytical skills, excellent drafting abilities in English, and effective communication and interpersonal skills are necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in economics, science, public administration, or a related field is required for this consultancy position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complex regulatory frameworks and technical requirements associated with accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and metrology.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in relevant fields, particularly in accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and metrology. This experience should include familiarity with North Macedonia's systems and an advanced understanding of EU regulations and standards, particularly those related to the circular economy and sustainable development.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Macedonian, both written and spoken, is considered an advantage, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to conduct interviews and gather information effectively.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to start on April 1, 2026, and will last for a duration of 3 months on a part-time basis. The remuneration will be based on a daily fee aligned with the United Nations salary scale for consultants, reflecting the level of the assignment and the candidate's qualifications and experience. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.