International consultant for project on Innovative Digital Trade under the AfCFTA for Promoting Food Security and Agricultural Value Chains in Africa

Result of Service

This project aims to address the challenges of food insecurity, high food prices, and inefficient food distribution mechanisms in targeted countries (Congo , Comoros, Cote D’Ivoire, Malawi, and Uganda) by leveraging digital technologies and the opportunities presented under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Work Location

Home based with travel

Expected duration

16 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: Agriculture in Africa is a significant economic activity, but food insecurity persists. In this regard, it is important to rethink how food is traded in Africa. The use of digital technology platforms in international and regional trade can help reduce food insecurity by connecting regions with limited agricultural potential or large populations facing climate changes, pandemic shocks, and security constraints to regions with surplus food production. The growing usage of cell phones, the internet and other digital innovations could help support food security and agricultural value chains in Africa by facilitating communication about food availability in surplus countries and shortages in others. This project aims to address the challenges of food insecurity, high food prices, and inefficient food distribution mechanisms in targeted countries (Congo, Comoros, Cote D’Ivoire, Malawi, and Uganda) by leveraging digital technologies and the opportunities presented under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It is expected that the project will address these challenges by raising awareness and building capacities on the use of new trade digital technologies. It will strengthen the capacities of selected countries and their stakeholders to use digital technologies to buy and sell food products and foster cross-border food value chains that will help ensure regional food security. Objective of the Assignment: The Project aims to reduce food insecurity by connecting agricultural markets in selected countries using digital technologies and opportunities presented under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). More specifically the project envisions empowering targeted countries to: 1. Use digital supply chain management and digital branding tools and techniques under AfCFTA 2. Use digital technologies and eCommerce platforms to remedy food market information asymmetries 3. Use regional agricultural markets, commodity exchange markets and ecommerce platforms Duties and responsibilities The Regional consultant will be responsible for following tasks: 1. Assessment and Planning a) Conduct a detailed assessment of the current status of digital traded and agriculture value chains in the targeted countries b) Develop a comprehensive implementation plan outlining the steps, resources and timeline required to achieve the project objectives 2. Strengthen the capacity of member states to integrate and utilize digital solutions to access inputs for improving agriculture value chain. a) Facilitate the production of policy briefs towards agriculture sector policy makers on integrating digital Solutions in Agricultural Policies and Strategies b) Develop and implement training materials and workshops to strengthen the technical capacities of stakeholders in targeted countries to use digital technologies to improve production systems. c) Conduct regional/national workshop session on the best practices in digital supply chain management, tailored to the needs of the agriculture sector in targeted countries d) Mount field mission to provide advisory services to Government officers and Private Sectors on increasing the use of digital technologies to improve agriculture productivity 3. Enhance capacity of Member States to effectively access regional and international food products markets through digital platforms a) Facilitate the production of policy briefs towards agriculture sector policy makers on digital marketing and branding, post-harvest handling, quality standards and digital commodity exchange platforms. b) Develop and implement training materials on the use of digital technologies tailored to addressing key agriculture market challenges like food market information asymmetries, digital marketing, digital branding, quality standards and high cost of doing business c) Conduct regional workshop session on using digital technologies. The workshop should focus on experience sharing from different case studies and digital solutions examples. d) Conduct national workshop session on using digital technologies to remedy food market information asymmetries to identify market and investment in regional agriculture value chains. 4. Stakeholder Engagement a) Engage with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, and international organizations, to ensure broad based support collaborations b Organize workshops, seminars, and meetings to disseminate projects finding and best practices

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, international trade, information technology or related area is required. A first level university degree in a combination of additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree. At least 7 years of experience in Digital Economy, Digitization of Agricultural value chains, or related areas with proven track record of AgriTech Projects in developing countries is required. Experience in such field in Africa is desirable.

Languages

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations; for the position advertised, fluency in French is required. Working knowledge of English is an asset.

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.