National Expert - Value Chain Analysis; The Gambia

Result of Service The consultant will support the formulation and adoption of The Gambia's regional green value chain and climate resilience strategy.

Work Location Home based

Expected duration 06/03/23 to 09/11/23

Duties and Responsibilities The entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement opened new opportunities for the development of regional green value chains on the continent. In addition to its role in fostering regional integration, trade can be a driver for sustainable production and climate action.

Under the supervision of the project officers, the national consultant will undertake the following assignments:

A) collect relevant national data to support the preparation of a regional study on "vegetal oil and fats", and "fruit and processed fruit products" value chains

B) prepare a draft national strategy to promote the development of green and climate resilient "vegetal oil and fats", and "fruit and processed fruit products" value chains in West Africa

C) organize virtual and face to face consultations with national stakeholders to review and validate the national strategy.

The national green value chain promotion strategy will complement the national AfCFTA implementation strategy. It will formulate a set of goals and priority actions to support the development of sustainable production, promote climate change adaptation and mitigation, increase regional cooperation, and harness intra-African trade opportunities arising from the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement.

Topics to be addressed by the national strategy for each of the two green value chains include:

a) impact of climate change on the production and trade of selected final and intermediary goods b) climate change adaption and mitigation options to address identified challenges and harness production related opportunities c) NTMs, relevant green standards and regulatory cooperation opportunities d) value chain structure and relationships among value chain actors at the national and regional level e) sustainable value addition and regional cooperation opportunities f) major import markets in West Africa and other African regions.

Importantly, the strategy will seek to harness opportunities to promote the participation of women and youth in production, transformation and marketing segments of the two regional green value chains.

The final strategy document will include:

1) a value chain analysis highlighting challenges and opportunities for the development of the selected value chains in the context of the AfCFTA 2) a national action plan on promoting green trade and climate change adaptation for the selected value chains.

The plan will be aligned with the National AfCFTA implementation Strategy and provide concrete solutions to promote green trade through the implementation of the AfCFTA.

Qualifications/special skills A first university degree, Bachelor, in economics, international trade, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental sciences, agronomy, public management, business management, industrial policy or a related field is required. A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience working in areas related to agricultural, business development, green economy, development policy, environment management, or international trade Experience in supporting MSMEs and assessing their needs is highly desirable.

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.