Expert Consultant for African ESG Framework and Compact

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established in 195

• Its mission is to promote the economic and social development of its member states, foster regional integration, and enhance the capacity of African countries to achieve sustainable development. UNECA operates in 54 African countries and has a workforce of over 300 employees. The organization focuses on various sectors including climate change, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and natural resources, and aims to support African nations in their development agendas through research, policy analysis, and capacity building.

Job Overview:
The Expert Consultant will play a pivotal role in drafting the African Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework and Compact, which is aligned with the African Mining Vision (AMV) and the Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS). This position is crucial as Africa's involvement in global green critical minerals value chains has led to increased scrutiny regarding ESG performance in the minerals sector. The consultant will be responsible for creating a coherent, Africa-led ESG framework that integrates sustainability, industrialization, climate resilience, and inclusive development. The consultant will also facilitate stakeholder consultations to reach an initial agreement and develop training materials to support the implementation of the African ESG standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities will be divided into five phases over an expected duration of eight months. In Phase I, the consultant will conduct an inception review to clarify the scope and methodology, and review relevant frameworks such as the Africa Mining Vision and the African Green Minerals Strategy. Phase II involves drafting the African ESG Framework and Compact, which includes defining core principles, performance indicators, and governance architecture. In Phase III, the consultant will design and facilitate stakeholder consultations with various representatives from government, private sector, and civil society to integrate feedback and develop a revised draft. Phase IV focuses on creating a structured training curriculum and advocacy toolkit for government officials and corporate sustainability officers. Finally, in Phase V, the consultant will finalize the African ESG Compact and develop an implementation roadmap.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Environmental Policy, Development Economics, Sustainable Finance, Law, Mineral Economics, Public Policy, Governance, or a related field. A minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience in ESG, governance, mineral governance, sustainable finance, development economics, or mining policy is required. Demonstrated experience in drafting policy frameworks or multi-stakeholder agreements is desirable. Strong knowledge of African mineral governance frameworks, particularly the Africa Mining Vision and the African Green Minerals Strategy, is an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as Environmental Policy, Development Economics, Sustainable Finance, Law, Mineral Economics, Public Policy, or Governance. This advanced education is essential to ensure the consultant has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively contribute to the development of the African ESG Framework and Compact.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 10 to 15 years in fields related to ESG, governance, mineral governance, sustainable finance, development economics, or mining policy. This extensive experience is crucial for the consultant to navigate the complexities of the African minerals sector and to effectively engage with various stakeholders.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of French is considered an asset. This bilingual requirement is important for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse context of the United Nations and its member states.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for eight months. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Director of UNECA’s Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Division and will report directly to the designated Economic Affairs Officer. The role requires strong analytical and drafting skills, high-level facilitation and negotiation skills, and the ability to work independently in politically sensitive environments. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.