National Policy Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which is a regional arm of the United Nations established in 195

• The ECA's mission is to promote the economic and social development of its member states, foster regional integration, and enhance the quality of life of African people. The organization operates in multiple countries across the African continent, with a focus on sustainable development, economic growth, and social equity. ECA collaborates with various partners, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to implement projects and initiatives that align with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The National Policy Consultant will play a crucial role in conducting a national policy and legislative gap analysis in Zimbabwe, focusing on identifying barriers and reform opportunities that support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the development of sustainable mineral industry value chains. This position is part of a larger initiative aimed at fostering environmentally and socially responsible practices in the mining sector, particularly in the context of the energy transition towards low-carbon technologies. The consultant will be responsible for preparing an inception note, conducting a comprehensive review of relevant policies, engaging with stakeholders, and producing a draft national policy gap analysis report. The work will involve collaboration with regional consultants and alignment with broader project objectives, ensuring that the analysis is grounded in the realities of the local context and contributes to the sustainable development goals of the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties and responsibilities include:

• Inception and scoping: Preparing an inception note that outlines the national context, scope of analysis, stakeholder mapping, and workplan, ensuring alignment with the regional analytical framework.
• National Policy, Value Chain, and Institutional Analysis: Conducting a comprehensive review of national policies related to trade, mining, industrialization, and environmental regulations, assessing their alignment with AfCFTA provisions, and mapping existing and potential value chain segments.
• Stakeholder engagement: Conducting consultations with key national stakeholders, including government institutions, private sector actors, civil society, and academia, to validate findings and gather inputs.
• Validation process: Supporting the organization and facilitation of a national validation workshop to present findings and gather feedback.
• Coordination and knowledge sharing: Participating in regular meetings with the project team, ensuring alignment of methodologies and findings, and contributing to cross-country knowledge exchange.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree in economics, trade law, public policy, mineral economics, minerals engineering, mining policy, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a minimum of 6 years of experience in trade policy, mineral value chains, or industrialization and industrial policy is required. Strong knowledge of national legislative and regulatory processes, demonstrated experience in conducting policy analysis and stakeholder consultations, and familiarity with SADC regional integration and industrialization frameworks are also essential qualifications for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as economics, trade law, public policy, mineral economics, minerals engineering, or mining policy. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with relevant experience may be considered. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of trade policies and the mining sector's regulatory environment.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in trade policy, mineral value chains, or industrialization and industrial policy. This experience should include a strong understanding of national legislative and regulatory processes, as well as demonstrated expertise in conducting policy analysis and engaging with stakeholders across various sectors.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is considered an asset, which may enhance communication and collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of 4 months. The consultant will be compensated based on the deliverables submitted, with specific payment terms outlined for the inception report, stakeholder consultations, and the draft policy gap analysis report. 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 equitable hiring process.