ASYCUDA Consultant (international trade and private sector development)
Contribute to mapping Afghanistan business and trade facilitation, enhancing Afghan traders capacity.
Overview
Contribute to mapping Afghanistan business and trade facilitation, enhancing Afghan traders capacity.
You have:
- An advanced university degree, Master, in Social Sciences, preferably with a focus on development economics and development policy making processes is required.
- At least 7 years of experience in policy research and analysis on governance, economic development or related fields, in particular in Central Asia and Afghanistan region is required.
- Work experience of in-country research in Afghanistan is required.
- Fluency oral and written in English is required.
- Knowledge of Pashto and Dari is desirable.
- Work experience of conducting researches under the UN programmes is desirable.
Contract
This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.
Result of Service
The consultant will contribute to mapping Afghanistan business and trade facilitation, and enhancing Afghan traders capacity, particularly through MSMEs and industrial parks development with a view to enhancing benefits of ASYCUDA system for business community
Work Location
Home based
Expected duration
01/09/25 - 31/12/25
Duties and Responsibilities
Actions by UNCTAD in Afghanistan have been focused on facilitating trade, strengthening the private sector, and maintaining ASYCUDA, the digitized customs mechanism. These priority areas have remained despite the significant changes in the political landscape of Afghanistan since August 2021. With the support of the UNDP, UNCTAD’s work in Afghanistan continues to strengthen capacities and capabilities of the trading community with a focus on women-owned and women-operated micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as industrial parks. Addressing the most pressing needs of MSMEs and industrial parks and enabling them to take full advantage of industry-specific knowledge and technology, as well as to use the full advantage of ASYCUDA system. Under the general supervision of UNCTAD ASYCUDA Regional Coordinator for CEE, Central Asia and Afghanistan the incumbent should perform the following duties: - Work closely with the ASYCUDA local team and UNDP to complete the documentary on clustered MSMEs. - Complete the Cluster Development Handbook for Afghanistan. - Outline capacity building modules for clustered MSMEs. - Oversee the translation and testing by the contracted survey firm of the survey questionnaire - Write a baseline report based on the findings from the analysis of the data from the survey and key informant interviews. - Work closely with UNCTAD and UNDP to coordinate presentations of the research findings for international stakeholders. - Develop the framework and proposal for Phase 2 of this project.
Qualifications/special skills
An advanced university degree, Master, in Social Sciences, preferably with a focus on development economics and development policy making processes is required. PhD would be an advantage. At least 7 years of experience in policy research and analysis on governance, economic development or related fields, in particular in Central Asiia and Afghanistan region is required. Work experience of in-country research in Afghanistan is required. Work experience of conducting researches under the UN programmes is desirable.
Languages
Fluency oral and written in English is required. Knowledge of Pashto and Dari is desirable
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Potential interview questions
| Describe a time you conducted policy research in a challenging environment. | The interviewer wants to assess your ability to handle difficult circumstances while producing reliable research. | Discuss the challenges faced, approach taken, and outcomes achieved. |
| How would you approach capacity building for MSMEs in Afghanistan? | The interviewer is looking for your strategies in empowering local businesses. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you explain your experience with ASYCUDA or similar systems? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you implement to ensure the inclusion of women-owned enterprises in your work? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a project where you coordinated research findings for international stakeholders. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What challenges do you foresee in promoting trade facilitation in Afghanistan? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you measure the success of a capacity building program for MSMEs? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |