RITD/ATPC – Regional Green Value Chain Study Consultant(East Africa)

Enhanced capacity of Member States to develop regional green value chains and intra-African export opportunities, and enhanced appreciation of Member States and RECs on expected green investment opportunities under the AfCFTA.

East Africa

4 months

Background:
The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC), through the Regional Integration & Trade Division, is a specialized unit within the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Its mission is to act as the leading Africa-based centre of excellence and a continental hub for providing and coordinating technical support for the development of trade policies in Africa. ATPC works with stakeholders at all levels to enhance the implementation of sound national, regional and international trade strategies, policies and programs. The centre also conducts research to generate and disseminate knowledge on trade and provides policy advice, training and capacity building based on the needs identified by its partners.
The centre recently established a new work programme to analyse the important linkages between trade and the environment. Covid-19 and global geopolitical tensions have shed light on the fragility of Africa’s supply chains, highlighting the urgency to develop more robust and resilient regional value chains to face future climate change shocks. Trade can help to mitigate climate change and adapt to its adverse effects. The landmark African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens new opportunities for tackling climate change in Africa, and in turn delivering on the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action.
In this context, ATPC is hiring a consultant to deliver a regional study on the development of climate-resilient, green value chains in East Africa. In particular, the study is expected to present insights on intra-African trade opportunities in the context of the implementation of the AfCFTA, with focus on opportunities relevant to the project countries: Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya.
With a focus on priority value chains selected by government counterparts, the study is expected to consider the following aspects: the impact of climate change on the production and trade of selected final and intermediary goods, adaption options, NTMs and relevant green standards (both in the region and in major importing countries), value chain structure, major regional players and relationships among actors, sustainable value addition and regional cooperation opportunities, and target African and international markets. Importantly, the study will assess opportunities to promote the participation of women entrepreneurs and women and young workers in the RGVCs. It will also examine the possible different climate change impacts on men and women working in the RGVCs and the opportunities presented by promoting green value chains on different genders. The study will conclude with a set of research-based recommendations, proposed by the regional expert conducting the study, to harness the benefits and overcome the challenges of the AfCFTA Agreement and provisions to advance sustainable production and trade.
Objective of the Assignment:
The objective of this assignment is to support the implementation of ATPC activities focused on enhancing the capacity of African Member States to identify climate-resilient and green trade opportunities in the context of the AfCFTA; as well as the design of green, national AfCFTA Implementation Strategies and Action Plans.
Duties and responsibilities
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the ATPC trade and environment focal point and the overall guidance of the Coordinator of ATPC. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the Consultant will perform the following key tasks:
• Develop a methodology for the preparation of a detailed study on regional green value chain opportunities in East Africa.
• Undertake research via interviews with Member States and partners in the East African sub-region, a desk review and an analysis to identify opportunities for the development of green value chains for intra-African trade, including with respect to the following: value chain integration between project countries to enhance competitiveness and improve environmental impacts of production; addressing environmental risks and reducing environmental impacts while fostering resilience to climate change; promoting trade in environmentally-friendly Goods and Services ;
• Produce the report on regional green value chain opportunities based on the research undertaken;
• Address any comments formulated by ECA and its partners as well as Country focal points prior to the study’s validation event.
• Present the final draft of the report at a virtual meeting for validation by the project countries of the sub-region;
• Address any comments formulated at the validation event.

• Respond to ad-hoc requests in relation to the project, as needed.

Master's degree in economics, international trade, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental sciences, or a related field is required.
A minimum of six (6) years of professional experience working on international trade and economic policy, or related area, is required. Prior experience working on trade policy and the environment, the green economy, and green value chain development is highly desirable. Experience working on the African Continent, particularly in the project countries of the East African sub-region, is highly desirable

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

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.