Senior consultant to coordinate research and training program for ECA-Government of Italy program on “Towards an effective African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)”

Result of Service Outputs/deliverables

• Output 1: Research study on the effects, impacts, challenges and opportunities arising from preferential trade arrangements/agreements for Africa to spur more inclusive and equitable benefits building on existing work and focus on identifying the gaps in evidence implemented and report produced.

• Output 2: Capacity building Needs assessment report produced for the eight beneficiaries’ countries Senegal, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Angola and comparative compiled analysis also produced.

• Output 3: At least one on-line regional courses and at tailor-made courses designed and delivered in collaboration with AseS on : International Arbitration; International tenders and procurements; and Management of international financing; understanding trade mainstreaming; the role and mechanisms of Preferences Trade Agreements; the preparatory process; the negotiation processes; and how PTAs can be formulated in a manner which ensures an inclusive and more equitable distribution of the benefits from trade.

• Output 4 : At least one on-line regional courses and at tailor-made courses designed and delivered in collaboration with AseS on understanding and overcoming the bottlenecks and constraints limiting benefits from preferential trade arrangements and international trade relations, especially with the EU and Italy.

• For each on-line training, courses material, including lessons, audio-commented powerpoint presentations, additional reading on “Making AfCFTA work: the role of Parliamentarians and other non-state actors” produced; with twenty MCQ per module for Parliamentarians produced;

• Practical exercises (forum) could be in the form of case-based studies, role play, presentations or any other form that will support active learning proposed per course;
• At least two interactive webinars organized during each course;
• Opinion question per module (survey) developed;
• On-line assistance and coordination of the two on-line training from the beginning to the end implemented;
• Final exam organized for each training;
• Course impact survey implemented per course;

• Training reports produced.

• Output 5: Prepare quarterly progress report for the steering committee

  Work Location Dakar, Senegal

  Expected duration The assignment will be from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023.

  Duties and Responsibilities The program stems from the importance to facilitate international exchanges between the beneficiaries AfCFTA countries including Senegal, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Angola and the European Union with focus on Italy. Pre-Covid Africa was characterized by extremely positive trends in economic development, coming from a decade of exponential economic growth, originated by the spread of digital innovation, the institution of new democratic transitions, and so on. The pandemic has caused a new recession, as its economic repercussions, as well as the limitations in transportation, have put at risk the progresses achieved in the economic and political integration. Implementation of the AfCFTA and increased regional integration can support recovery and spur industrialisation and economic development if the Agreement is implemented in an inclusive manner.

Results of the 4th United Nations Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation this year show that while progress has been made on digital and sustainable trade facilitation measures globally, gaps exist for supporting women, SMEs, and agricultural trade through these measures. ECA and other UN Regional Commissions have begun modules on identifying and scaling up good practices in these areas.

The proposed project will leverage these opportunities as well as the results of ECA’s transit study to inform the use of digital tools to support peace and security. The training will also build on ECA research with regional economic communities and an evidence review that shows that gender-sensitive training for customs and border officials has shown success in addressing non-tariff barriers and improving inclusion in cross-border trade. In this context, it is fundamental to support the socio-economic recovery of Africa and to sustain the full operational implementation of the AfCFTA.

It is against the above and with the financial support from the Government of Italy, the Economic Commission for Africa through the African Institution for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) is launching this capacity building program to enhance intra-African trade, selected African countries’ share of global trade through inclusive, sustainable and development-friendly trade arrangements and capacity building; Focus will be placed on ensuring that such capacity building can enhance employment opportunities, have positive impacts on gender equity, and contribute to strengthening the general welfare of people in Africa.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to coordinate research and on-line and in-situ training and awareness raising activities.

This consultant assignments will be implemented remotely. Under the general guidance of the Director of IDEP and the direct supervision of the Head of the Training and Research Division, the consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

Duties and responsibilities:

¿ Work closely with the Implementing partner the Agricoltori Solidarietà e Sviluppo (ASeS) selected for this program and provide an oversight role to ensure smooth implementation of each role and responsibility

¿ Lead the study and produce final report on the effects, impacts, challenges and opportunities arising from preferential trade arrangements/agreements for Africa to spur more inclusive and equitable benefits building on existing work and focus on identifying the gaps in evidence. In this regard serve as lead consultant, coordinate the work of national consultants and compile the final report and organize an Experts Group meeting for the review and validation of the report

¿ Coordinate and produce final reports of capacity building needs assessment in Senegal, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Angola selected countries implemented and action plan developed

¿ Design and deliver series of courses (on-line regional courses or tailor-made according to the outcome of the needs assessment ) on : International Arbitration; International tenders and procurements; and Management of international financing; understanding trade mainstreaming; the role and mechanisms of Preferences Trade Agreements; the preparatory process; the negotiation processes; and how PTAs can be formulated in a manner which ensures an inclusive and more equitable distribution of the benefits from trade.

¿ Design and deliver series of training-workshop (on-line regional courses or tailor-made according to the outcome of the needs assessment ) for African private sector's on understanding and overcoming the bottlenecks and constraints limiting benefits from preferential trade arrangements and international trade relations, especially with the EU and Italy.

Specific tasks for the design and delivery of various on-line courses in collaboration with ASeS :

• Prepare and produce the module for the course based on the capacity needs assessments in the eight pilots’ countries, draws and fully incorporates relevant publications and studies on AfCFTA as well as the state-of-the research publications in the field (journals and books);
• Prepare and produce the training materials for the course which includes illustrated narrative, full reading list, audio-commented power point presentation slides, lecture notes, guidelines for discussions sessions, and assignments;
• Coordinate the eLearning course as a Course Director. In this regard be available four hours per day, two (2) hours during the morning and two (2) hours during the afternoon in such a way to accommodate all the learners.
• Provide an end of course assignment to assess participants’ understanding of the training
• Act as the person-in-charge to ensure quality control of the online module and training materials.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) and work closely with ASeS, IDEP and ATPC for the on-line development platform by ensuring that the platform is engaging with interactive lessons per module and user-friendly;
• Work with tutor from different zone language.
• Lead the course final report.

In-situ tailor-made training workshop: will depend on the outcome of the capacity need assessment

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Trade, International Relations, International Law and/or or related discipline is required. A first-level university degree with combination of 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD is an advantage. Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience at national and/or international level in International Economics and or trade legislation and trade negotiations is required. A good understanding of Africa's regional integration agenda, AfCFTA and other African FTAs is an asset. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French is required. Knowledge of the other is an advantage.

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.