Consultant-Blockchain for TF (international)

Result of ServiceThe outputs of this assignment consist of: A. Draft the Mongolia national study on gap analysis and feasibility of blockchain application for trade facilitation by: a) Interviewing relevant stakeholders (both government agencies and the private sector) for collecting primary data and information during the mission - tentatively the last week of March 2025, at the national task force meeting as well as individual meetings with key agencies and stakeholders, to be supported by the national consultant); as well as via virtual meetings as needed b) Liaising with the national task force to collect business needs and requirements for blockchain application c) Collecting secondary data from public sources d) Building upon the existing literature and guidelines , especially on the global report and user implementation guide developed under the same project e) Including an introductory chapter on regional best practices as benchmark for Mongolia’s adoption of blockchain application f) Targeting length of 12,000 – 15,000 words, excluding tables, figures, references and appendices, free of grammatical and stylistic errors Delivery date: 1 May 2025 B. Finalize the Mongolia national study by: a) Enhance the draft with the revision and complementing with primary data (via virtual meetings as needed – to be supported by the national consultant) and secondary data, as well as from feedback, tentatively at the session during the Paperless Trade Week 2025 (9-13 June 2025) b) Present the revised version at the national task force meeting in September 2025 (tentatively) to finalize the Mongolia national study c) Finalize based on feedback from meetings and feedback from responsible officer(s) in ESCAP Delivery date: 31 October 2025 C. Support the organization of two capacity building workshops (tentatively the last week of March 2025 and September 2025) by: a) Proposing a draft programme to be discussed and agreed with the responsible officer, referring to the suggested objective and contents (Annex 1) b) Participating as a speaker c) Recommending and recruiting additional speakers (can be virtual participation) to be discussed and agreed with the responsible officer Delivery date: 31 October 2025 D. Conduct a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) for validating the feasibility and practicality of implementing a blockchain solution on a selected process in Customs Clearance and Border Management, in particular, for Transit Cargo by: a. Data collection by organizing meetings with the Customs authorities b. Develop and implement PoC by utilizing data from existing systems (either current or historical data) Delivery date: 30 November 2025 E. Finalize the PoC by: a. Conduct demo of the PoC to the Customs authorities and gather feedback b. Submitting the final report on the PoC, summarizing the outcome of the PoC Delivery date: 20 December 2025 The performance of the consultant will be evaluated based on the timeliness of work delivery, the extent to which the requirements of the ToR have been met and the substantive/technical quality of the output. (1) One example could be Australia’s National Blockchain Roadmap https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/trade-and-investment/business-envoy-april-2021-digital-trade-edition/australias-blockchain-roadmap and https://trustalliance.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Australia-National-Blockchain-Roadmap.pdf (2) Global Report available at https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/tcsdtlinf2023d1_en.pdf (3) User Implementation Guide available at https://www.unescwa.org/sites/default/files/pubs/pdf/blockchain-trade-facilitation-guide-english.pdf Annex 1. Guideline for the national workshop (from the project document) The first national workshop organizes capacity building training to national stakeholders to facilitate the development and adoption of blockchain in trade-related purposes. Each workshop is tailored to the needs and requirements for blockchain application at the national level. This first workshop will present and discuss international experiences and best practices and identifies the roadmap towards facilitating the development and adoption of blockchain in trade facilitation in the pilot country. Therefore, the first workshop will define the technical activities to be carried out in the pilot country during the next phases with clear identification of the respective roles of the national stakeholders. The second national workshop presents findings and progress made in developing the national strategy to accelerate the development and adoption of blockchain in international trade in the pilot country. Accordingly, and building on the technical assistance activities implemented in the four years of the project’s life and the work of the national task force, the workshop identifies the major reforms to be undertaken and the corresponding implementation strategy to facilitate the development and adoption of blockchain technology in trade operations. The workshop, by bringing together international experts with national stakeholders and policymakers, will provide a feasible plan of action to facilitate the use of blockchain in international trade. Work LocationOnline Expected duration10.5 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Trade, Investment and Innovation Division (TIID) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is implementing a project entitled Blockchains for facilitating trade and enhancing competitiveness. The project aims to strengthen national innovation and technological capacities related to the use of blockchain technology in customs and trade operations in five selected developing countries, to boost trade and enhance competitiveness in support of sustainable development. More particularly, the project will contribute to increase national awareness on the importance of blockchain in trade facilitation through tailored capacity building activities on how to effectively adopt and deploy blockchain technology. In this regard, under the overall guidance of the Chief, Trade Policy and Facilitation Section, and the supervision of the responsible project officer(s), the consultant will work on the Mongolia national study on gap analysis and feasibility of blockchain application for trade facilitation and capacity building workshops. Qualifications/special skillsBachelor's or higher degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, Computer Science and/or related fields. At least ten years of research or work experience in paperless trade, trade, trade facilitation, business, or economics. LanguagesExcellent command of written and spoken English is required Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.