International Consultant for the Harmonization of Inland Waterway (IWT) Policies in Eastern Africa and the Formulation of IWT Strategic Plans for the Northern and Central Corridors

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established to promote economic and social development in African countries. Founded in 1958, ECA aims to foster the economic and social development of its member states, facilitate intra-African trade, and promote regional integration. The organization operates in multiple countries across the African continent, working with governments, regional organizations, and other stakeholders to address various development challenges. ECA employs a diverse workforce of professionals dedicated to enhancing the economic prospects of African nations through research, policy analysis, and capacity building.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant for the Harmonization of Inland Waterway (IWT) Policies in Eastern Africa involves a critical role in developing and finalizing a sub-regional roadmap aimed at harmonizing inland waterways within multimodal transportation policies in East Africa. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing existing drafts, integrating feedback from various stakeholders, and ensuring that the roadmap addresses key gaps in policy harmonization and regulatory standards. This role is essential in supporting the rising demand for inland waterway transport, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and aims to revitalize the use of lakes, rivers, and canals for economic growth and trade facilitation. The consultant will also engage with government officials, policymakers, and industry representatives to gather insights and ensure that the strategic plans for the Northern and Central corridors are comprehensive and actionable.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Reviewing and updating the draft sub-regional roadmap for harmonization based on feedback from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), experts, and stakeholders from the Northern and Central corridors.
• Organizing consultation sessions with stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and industry representatives from the target countries to gather insights and foster collaboration.
• Ensuring that the roadmap effectively addresses identified gaps in policy harmonization, legal frameworks, and regulatory standards for inland waterways.
• Finalizing the roadmap document with a clear action plan that includes timelines and identifies responsible stakeholders for each action item.
• Supporting the Northern and Central Corridors in the formulation of their respective IWT strategic plans, ensuring alignment with the overall objectives of the roadmap and regional integration efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, engineering, statistics, international trade, development studies, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree. Furthermore, candidates should have at least ten years of experience in trade and logistics development, trade facilitation, policy formulation, and economic and trade analysis. Extensive research experience, particularly in data collection, analysis, and reporting in the area of trade and regional integration, is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as economics, engineering, statistics, international trade, or development studies. A first-level university degree may be considered if accompanied by additional qualifying experience, demonstrating the candidate's capability to perform the required tasks effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of professional experience in trade and logistics development, trade facilitation, policy formulation, and economic and trade analysis. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in similar roles, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and contribute to the development of effective policies and strategies.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this consultancy role, as it is one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat. Knowledge of French is considered desirable, as it may facilitate communication with stakeholders in the region and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the consultancy is seven months, during which the consultant will be expected to deliver several key outputs, including a reviewed version of the draft roadmap and strategic plans for the Northern and Central corridors. 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.