National Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was established to promote economic and social development in African countries. It aims to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, informed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 206

• The ECA supports member States in advancing economic diversification, regional integration, digital transformation, and inclusive development, with a strong focus on gender equality and youth empowerment. The Subregional Office for North Africa (SRO-NA), located in Rabat, Morocco, serves seven member States in North Africa and plays a crucial role in strengthening macroeconomic management, promoting employment creation, enhancing regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and advancing digital transformation policies. The ECA operates in multiple countries across the African continent, working towards sustainable development and economic growth.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant position is integral to the ECA's project aimed at enhancing the digital and financial capacities of women-owned micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (W-SMEs) in Africa. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting W-SMEs in Morocco. This role involves engaging with various stakeholders to gather insights and develop actionable, gender-responsive policy recommendations that will strengthen institutional capacity to integrate digital financing solutions into national trade and SME development strategies. The consultant will also support the organization and delivery of a National Stakeholders Workshop, which will serve as the official launch of the project at the national level. The expected outcome of this consultancy includes the development of country-specific policy tools and institutional guidance that will create an enabling environment for W-SMEs to improve productivity, access digital markets, and participate more effectively in regional value chains under the AfCFTA framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will undertake a variety of tasks under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and the overall supervision of the Director of SRO-NA. Key responsibilities include conducting a comprehensive assessment of the digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting women-owned SMEs, organizing and facilitating the National Stakeholders Workshop, and developing a Country Module on the Institutional and Regulatory Ecosystem for Digital Trade and Digital Finance. The consultant will prepare a National Diagnostic Report that reviews the national digital trade, e-commerce, fintech, and regulatory frameworks, identifying priority constraints and reform areas. Additionally, 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 and gender-responsive digital trade policies. The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on the timely submission of deliverables, technical quality of outputs, responsiveness to feedback, and effective contributions to stakeholder consultations and workshops.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree) in economics, trade, digital economy, business administration, or a closely 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 is considered an advantage. Additionally, a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic analysis, trade policy, SME development, digital economy policy, or related fields is required. Proven experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering workshops is essential, along with demonstrated experience in policy analysis, particularly in digital trade and fintech. Knowledge of AfCFTA-related processes is desirable, as is experience working with government institutions, ministries, regulatory bodies, or international organizations. Experience in integrating gender equality considerations into economic or trade policy analysis is also an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's degree) in relevant fields such as economics, trade, digital economy, or business administration. A first-level university degree may be accepted in combination with additional qualifying experience. A PhD in a relevant discipline would be advantageous, indicating a higher level of expertise and knowledge in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas such as economic analysis, trade policy, SME development, and digital economy policy. Candidates should have a proven track record of facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering workshops, demonstrating their ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders. Experience in policy analysis, particularly in the areas of digital trade and fintech, is essential, along with knowledge of AfCFTA-related processes. Experience working with government institutions, ministries, regulatory bodies, or international organizations is also desirable, as it indicates familiarity with the institutional landscape and regulatory frameworks relevant to the position.

Languages:
Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, which are English and French, is required for this position. Fluency in the other language is desirable, indicating a broader communication capability within the UN system. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate engagement with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of five months. The position is not specified as full-time or part-time, but the consultant will be expected to deliver all outputs to the required standard and within the agreed timeframe. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts, ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process.