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 promote international cooperation for Africa's development. The organization operates in multiple countries across the African continent, with a focus on sustainable development, economic growth, and addressing the challenges faced by African nations. The ECA collaborates with various partners, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to implement projects and initiatives that align with its mission.

Job Overview:
The National Policy Consultant position is focused on conducting a national policy and legislative gap analysis in Namibia, specifically aimed at 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 role is crucial in the context of the global transition to low-carbon energy sources, which has led to an increased demand for critical minerals. The consultant will work within a framework that emphasizes environmental sustainability and social responsibility, ensuring that the extraction and processing of minerals align with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. The consultant will be expected to prepare an inception note, conduct a comprehensive review of relevant policies, engage with stakeholders, and produce a draft national policy gap analysis report. The position is home-based and expected to last for four months, requiring collaboration with various stakeholders and alignment with regional frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks over the course of the assignment. Initially, they will prepare an inception note that outlines the national context, scope of analysis, stakeholder mapping, and workplan. They will conduct a comprehensive review of national policies related to trade, mining, industrialization, and environmental regulations, assessing their alignment with AfCFTA provisions. The consultant will map existing and potential value chain segments within Namibia and identify institutional mechanisms related to AfCFTA implementation. They will also analyze barriers to gender equality and youth participation in the mining sector. Stakeholder engagement is a critical component, requiring consultations with government institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to validate findings and gather inputs. The consultant will facilitate a national validation workshop and participate in coordination meetings to ensure alignment with regional consultants. Deliverables include an inception report, stakeholder engagement reports, and a draft national policy gap analysis report.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in economics, trade law, public policy, mineral economics, minerals engineering, mining policy, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of five years of experience in trade policy, mineral value chains, or industrialization is required. Strong knowledge of national legislative and regulatory processes is desirable, along with demonstrated experience in conducting policy analysis and stakeholder consultations. Familiarity with SADC regional integration and industrialization frameworks, as well as the AfCFTA, is also desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as economics, trade law, public policy, mineral economics, minerals engineering, or mining policy. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by sufficient qualifying experience. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of trade policy and mineral value chains, as well as the legislative processes involved in these areas.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in trade policy, mineral value chains, or industrialization and industrial policy. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively analyze national policies, engage with stakeholders, and contribute to the development of sustainable mineral industry value chains. Experience in conducting policy analysis and stakeholder consultations is particularly important, as the role involves significant interaction with various stakeholders in the mining sector.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, fluency in French is considered an asset, which may enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders and facilitate collaboration within the context of the United Nations and its initiatives.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for four 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 that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or pay any fees.