Regional Consultant for Green Trade Opportunities

Job Posting Organization:
The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) is a part of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The ATPC was established to support African countries in their trade policy development and implementation, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The organization aims to enhance the capacity of member states to engage in trade that is not only economically beneficial but also environmentally sustainable. The ATPC operates across multiple African countries, working closely with regional economic communities (RECs) to promote green value chains and climate-resilient trade practices.

Job Overview:
The position of Regional Consultant for Green Trade Opportunities is focused on assisting the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) in integrating climate-resilient and green trade opportunities into the AfCFTA Implementation Strategies. The consultant will play a crucial role in drafting a Green Supplement that identifies priority actions for green value chains and climate adaptation. This role involves collecting national-level data, facilitating consultations, and providing contextual insights to ensure that the Green Supplement accurately reflects local realities and priorities. The consultant will work closely with national consultants and stakeholders to gather necessary information and insights that will inform the development of the Green Supplement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Consultant include:

• Data Collection: The consultant will gather relevant national documents, statistics, and studies on trade, environment, and value chains. They will compile information on existing policies, regulations, and standards related to green trade and climate adaptation.
• Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement: The consultant will identify and maintain a list of key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector actors, SMEs, women-led businesses, and AfCFTA committees. They will organize and facilitate interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions as per the methodology provided by the regional consultant.
• Support Consultations: The consultant will assist in planning and conducting national workshops and field missions, documenting stakeholder inputs and providing summaries for integration into the Green Supplement.
• Reporting: The consultant will submit a comprehensive report of data collected, consultations held, and key findings, and provide feedback on draft sections of the Green Supplement from a national perspective.
• Ad-hoc Support: The consultant will respond to additional requests from ATPC or the regional consultant related to the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree in economics, trade policy, environmental studies, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of five years of professional experience in trade policy, environmental issues, or economic development is required. The candidate must possess strong knowledge of national trade and environmental policies, along with excellent organizational and communication skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced degree in a relevant field such as economics, trade policy, environmental studies, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of trade and environmental interactions, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in areas related to trade policy, environmental issues, or economic development. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to engage with complex trade and environmental frameworks and contribute effectively to the development of green trade strategies.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations. Proficiency in French is particularly important for this role, given the need to engage with stakeholders and documents in both languages.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to be remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The duration of the assignment is not specified, and there are no fees associated with the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of recruitment.