National Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was established to promote economic and social development in Africa. 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 particular focus on gender equality and youth empowerment. The Subregional Office for North Africa (SRO-NA), based in Rabat, 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 with various stakeholders to implement projects that align with its mission and objectives.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Development Account Tranche 18 (DA-18) project, which focuses on enhancing the digital capacity of women-owned micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (W-SMEs) in Africa. This position involves conducting a comprehensive assessment of the digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting W-SMEs, developing actionable policy recommendations, and strengthening institutional capacity to integrate digital financing solutions into national trade and SME development strategies. The consultant will be responsible for organizing and delivering a National Stakeholders Workshop, which will serve as the official launch of the project at the national level. The consultant will also create a Country Module on the Institutional and Regulatory Ecosystem for Digital Trade and Digital Finance, ensuring that it is accessible to W-SMEs with disabilities. The ultimate goal is to support the creation of 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 be tasked with several key responsibilities, including: conducting a comprehensive assessment of the digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting women-owned SMEs; developing a work plan that outlines the methodology, timeline, stakeholder mapping approach, and data collection framework; preparing a National Diagnostic Report that reviews national digital trade, e-commerce, fintech, and regulatory frameworks; supporting the organization and delivery of the National Stakeholders Workshop, including the preparation of background notes and a summary report; creating a Country Module on the Institutional and Regulatory Ecosystem for Digital Trade and Digital Finance; and preparing a Country Policy Paper that identifies institutional, regulatory, and market barriers affecting W-SMEs, along with actionable recommendations and an implementation plan. 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 would be considered an advantage. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic analysis, trade policy, SME development, digital economy policy, or related fields. Proven experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering workshops is required, along with demonstrated experience in policy analysis, particularly in the areas of 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 economics, trade, digital economy, business administration, or a closely related field. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. 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, as well as experience in policy analysis, particularly in digital trade and fintech. Familiarity with AfCFTA-related processes and experience working with government institutions or international organizations is desirable. Additionally, experience in integrating gender equality considerations into economic or trade policy analysis is considered an advantage.

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, as it enhances communication and collaboration within the UN system. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage, particularly in the context of working in North Africa and engaging with local stakeholders.

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 also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.