RITD/ATPC Trade Policy Intern

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

Addis Ababa

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) is a specialized unit within the Regional Integration and Trade Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Its mission is to serve as the foremost Africa-based center of excellence and a continental hub, providing and coordinating technical support for the development of sound trade policies across the African continent. ATPC collaborates with stakeholders at all levels to enhance the implementation of sound national, regional, and international trade strategies, policies, and programs. The Centre conducts research to generate and disseminate knowledge on trade policy and regulation, and provides policy advice, training, and capacity building based on the needs identified by member states and partners. As a pivotal player in promoting regional integration and facilitating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ATPC's work encompasses a diverse array of initiatives. These include supporting AfCFTA negotiations and implementation, supporting the development of national and regional AfCFTA implementation strategies, and assisting in the formulation of national export strategies. ATPC work covers such key areas as digital trade, gender and trade, trade and environment, trade and the triple nexus (humanitarian-development-peace), trade and standards, private sector development, industrial development, customs and trade facilitation, data for policy analysis, and modeling policy reforms. Through its work, ATPC aims to foster an environment conducive to intra-African trade, enhance economic growth, and promote sustainable development across the Continent. By providing strategic insight and technical assistance, ATPC empowers African nations to navigate the complexities of regional integration, harness the potential of the AfCFTA, and unlock new opportunities for economic prosperity. ATPC's role as a center of excellence and a continental hub for trade policy development is vital in supporting Africa's economic transformation and integration into the global economy. Through its research, policy advisory, training, and capacity-building efforts, the Centre plays a crucial role in shaping trade policies that promote inclusive and sustainable development for the benefit of all Africans. Objective ATPC is looking to recruit an intern who will support some of its trade-related initiatives. The intern's responsibilities will encompass a diverse range of tasks, providing them with a comprehensive and immersive experience in trade policy development, research, and technical support activities. One of the key aspects of the internship will be data collection and analysis. Working with senior members of the ATPC team, the intern will assist in gathering, processing and analyzing trade-related data from various sources, including official databases, reports, and surveys, and the production of reports based thereon. The intern will have ample opportunities to contribute to ATPC's research endeavours, including taking active roles in the development of at least one research output. Furthermore, the intern will support ATPC's policy advisory and communication efforts by drafting briefing notes, speeches, and presentations. The intern will also provide support in the organization of events, including conferences, workshops, and seminars. ATPC internships are designed carefully so as to balance between the need to support the professional development of the intern, on the one hand, and to maximize the intern’s contribution to the Centre’s work programme. The internship will therefore offer the intern an opportunity to gain practical experience in trade policy development, applied research, and the provision of technical support to policy makers and other stakeholders. The Intern shall work under the overall guidance of the ATPC Coordinator and the direct supervision of assigned staff to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. The Intern will report to the ATPC Coordinator. The intern will be responsible for the following tasks: • Contribute to the Centre’s research programme in the areas regional integration, trade policy formulation, regional value chains, digital trade, etc.; • Support in the drafting of briefing notes, speeches, presentations, etc. as may be assigned from time to time; • Assist in the planning and organization of events such as workshops, webinars, trainings, and panels, facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. • Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by the ATPC Coordinator or the Director of the RITD. Ultimate Result of Service The ultimate result of this service is twofold: (1) the intern’s contributions to the work of ATPC in the areas of knowledge generation, knowledge dissemination, stakeholder engagement and related fields; and (2) The intern gaining valuable experience in the field of trade policy, including through mentoring, networking and similar opportunities to be provided by ATPC. Purpose Playing a prominent role in the development of at least one research output and contributing to several more; helping in the development of briefing notes, speeches, and presentations; and supporting the organization of events. Outputs/Work Assignments • Research and knowledge generation on various topics including regional integration, trade, industrialization, and regional value chains. • Data collection, compilation, and analysis ensuring accuracy and policy relevance. • Briefing notes, speeches, and presentation materials drafted on trade-related topics as requested. • Planning and organizing events such as workshops, webinars, trainings, panels, etc. to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. • Additional tasks as assigned by the ATPC Coordinator or the Director of the RITD.

Qualifications/special skills

(a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields, including economics, law, trade policy, international relations. In addition, applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Furthermore, applicants need to demonstrate: • Good Analytical skills for data collection, compilation, and analysis of trade issues; • Ability to draft reports, briefing notes, speeches, and presentation materials; and • Ability to assist in organizing events and workshops.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

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.