Individual Contractor – Economist

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND TIMELINES: Output 1 (by end-April 2024): • Draft sections of SMECO 2024 (draft section on benefit of digital technologies, respond to feedback through revisions in track changes in word; conduct any additional research necessary); • Support design of CPCCAF questionnaire and participate in coordination meetings to set up data collection; • Conduct 1 ad hoc analysis to respond to request from management (analyze data; prepare half-page of analysis; refine in response to feedback). Output 2 (by end-June 2024): • Support finalization of chapters for SMECO 2024 draft (clean up text; address peer review comments; incorporate any additional issues or refinements); • Revise SMECO 2024 figures based on feedback received from the external revision stage (clean excel and stata files and revise figures and notes in word document); • Analyse data for SMECS Argentina or Chad, one chapter (do analysis in Stata and Excel, draft key messages and build story line). Output 3 (by end-August 2024): • Prepare final SMECO 2024 figures to be shared with layout company and revise the work of the layout company for consistency with original files; • Clean and analyze CPCCAF dataset (develop Stata do-file to clean and analyze CPCCAF dataset and secondary external datasets; prepare 5-6 figures in excel on the basis of Stata analysis; prepare 5-7 pages in Word of bullet points and figures to present results and guide interpretation); • Contribute to the launch of the SMECO 2024 (producing outreach materials and helping checking layout document). Output 4 (by end-October 2024): • Support drafting of CPCCAF report; • Support creation of new SME Competitiveness survey in additional country (customize MOU; participate in meetings; conduct sampling); • Set up data collection stage for SMECO 2025 by troubleshooting technical issues. Output 5 (by 7 December 2024): • Literature reviewed for one chapter of SMECO 2025; • Support launch of CPCCAF report by communicating with partners.

Work Location

HQ-based, with possibility of travel

Expected duration

07.03.2024 – 07.12.2024 (197 workdays)

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO). ITC's mandate is to promote export of goods and services from developing and transition economies. OBJECTIVE: The Research and Strategies for Export (RSE) section has three main functions: 1. Publishing the SME Competitiveness Outlook (ITC’s annual flagship publication). 2. Producing country competitiveness reports based on ITC collected firm-level competitiveness data. 3. Producing bespoke National Export Strategies for developing countries. The Individual Contractor will contribute to the first two activities: SME Competitiveness Outlook (SMECO): The SMECO is ITC's annual flagship report on SME competitiveness. The report provides guidance to policy makers, SMEs and trade and investment support institutions on the latest trends affecting SMEs. SME Competitiveness Survey (SMECS): As part of its analysis on the competitiveness of SMEs, ITC collects data on the competitiveness of enterprises in several countries. The data collection aims to assess the key elements that affect the competitiveness of SMEs. The SMECS also assists with projects in the monitoring and evaluation of results. In this context, ITC is looking for an Individual Contractor to assist with the production of country competitiveness reports, and SMECO. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: The Individual Contractor will work under the direct supervision of a Programme Officer in DMD/RSE, with guidance from staff in the SMECS and SMECO team, and under the overall supervision of the Chief of DMD/RSE. The Individual Contractor will carry out the following duties and responsibilities: • Analyze data and draft one of the SME Competitiveness Outlook 2024 (develop Stata do-file to analyze digitalization dataset and secondary external datasets; prepare 5-6 figures in excel on the basis of Stata analysis; prepare 5-7 pages in Word of bullet points and figures to present results and guide interpretation); • Support the finalization of SMECO 2024, by revising figures across different chapters of the report to respond to feedback received during the external revision and during editing and layout stages (revise excel files and Stata do files accordingly); • Clean and analyse data from new dataset collected under the ITC-CPCCAF (Conférence permanent des chambres consulaires africaines et francophones) partnership (develop Stata do file code to analyze performance, analyze and display results of Stata analysis in excel, writeup in short word document with bullet points of approximately 3 pages); • Clean and analyse data for SMECS Argentina or Chad report (develop Stata do file code to analyze performance on competitiveness themes identified in project meetings, analyze and display results of Stata analysis in excel, writeup key findings in bullet points, revise according to feedback from partners); • Data management and cleaning (merge multiple SMECS datasets together, clean datasets to ensure compatibility, resolve data storage and sharing problems that arise); • Conduct ad hoc analysis in response to request from management (analyze data; prepare half-page of analysis; refine in response to feedback). Copyright Clause: The Consultant has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant shall request prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

Qualifications/special skills

Postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA, PHD or other). Master's degree in Economics, Business, or related field. PhD would be an asset. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. Minimum of 3 years' experience in a similar role, in academic or non-academic settings. Proven hands-on experience in empirical analysis and research. Experience analyzing trade and firm level data is an asset. Excellent quantitative analysis skills. Ability to gather and synthesize research material from academic and non-academic sources and form sound conclusions. Proficiency in MS Excel and Stata. Excellent drafting skills in English. Ability to work in a team and independently. Ability to adapt and meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced setting. Attention to detail.

Languages

Advanced English is required. Native level of French would be 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.