Regional Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is dedicated to delivering ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 206

• Established to support member States in advancing economic diversification, regional integration, digital transformation, and inclusive development, ECA places particular emphasis on gender equality and youth empowerment. The Subregional Office for North Africa (SRO-NA), located in Rabat, serves seven member States in North Africa, assisting them in strengthening macroeconomic management, promoting employment creation, enhancing regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and advancing digital transformation policies. ECA is committed to fostering collaboration and providing technical support to ensure that the benefits of economic initiatives are inclusive and sustainable, particularly for women-owned SMEs (W-SMEs).

Job Overview:
The Regional Consultant will play a pivotal role in enhancing the digital and financial capabilities of women-owned SMEs (W-SMEs) in North Africa. This position involves providing national, cross-country, and regional technical support for the implementation of the Development Account Tranche 18 (DA-18) project, which aims to strengthen the digital and financial capacities of W-SMEs and enhance policymakers' abilities to design inclusive digital trade policies aligned with AfCFTA objectives. The consultant will conduct comprehensive assessments of the digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting W-SMEs, develop training materials, and facilitate capacity-building workshops. The consultant will also prepare country-specific policy papers with actionable recommendations to support policymakers in creating gender-responsive digital trade policies. This role requires collaboration with national consultants and engagement with various stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Consultant include conducting a comprehensive assessment of the digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting women-owned SMEs in one of the project’s focus countries. The consultant will organize and deliver a National Stakeholders Workshop, which will serve as the official national-level launch of the project. Additionally, the consultant will develop a Country Module on the Institutional and Regulatory Ecosystem for Digital Trade and Digital Finance, ensuring accessibility for W-SMEs with disabilities. The consultant will prepare a country-specific policy paper that includes actionable recommendations and an implementation plan to support policymakers in designing and implementing inclusive, gender-responsive digital trade policies. Furthermore, the consultant will develop training materials on digital trade, fintech solutions, and digital financing instruments for women-owned SMEs across Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, and Tunisia, adapting these materials for W-SMEs with disabilities. The consultant will deliver capacity-building workshops and conduct surveys to assess knowledge acquisition. The consultant will also collaborate with three national consultants to ensure consistency and alignment with AfCFTA digital trade objectives.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, trade, digital economy, business administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree. A PhD in a relevant discipline would be advantageous. Candidates must have a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in SME development, trade policy, or related fields. Proven experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering capacity-building workshops is essential. Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis, digital trade, and fintech, along with knowledge of AfCFTA-related processes, is desirable. Experience working with government institutions, ministries, regulatory bodies, and/or international organizations is also desirable. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to integrate considerations of gender equality and women's economic empowerment into economic, trade, or policy analysis.

Educational Background:
Candidates are required to have an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as economics, trade, digital economy, business administration, or a related discipline. A first-level university degree may be accepted in combination with additional qualifying experience. A PhD in a relevant discipline would be considered an advantage, indicating a higher level of expertise and knowledge in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as SME development, trade policy, or related fields. Candidates should have proven experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering capacity-building workshops, showcasing their ability to engage effectively with diverse groups. Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis, digital trade, and fintech, particularly in relation to AfCFTA processes, is desirable. Experience working with government institutions, ministries, regulatory bodies, and/or international organizations will be beneficial, as it indicates familiarity with the operational landscape and regulatory frameworks relevant to the position.

Languages:
Fluency in French and Arabic is required for this consultancy, as these are the primary working languages of the UN Secretariat. A working knowledge of English is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to engage in international contexts.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of nine months. The position does not specify additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation details. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meetings, processing, or training. The organization also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts, ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process.