Development of Somalia Step-by-Step Guides to trade Goods under the AfCFTA

Result of Service• A user-friendly, practical step-by-step guide for trading goods under the AfCFTA; • Enhanced access to trade information and improved regulatory transparency; • Increased private sector participation in AfCFTA-driven trade activities; • Enhanced institutional capacity within ministries and chambers to update the step-by-step guide. Work LocationWork from home Expected duration4 months Duties and Responsibilities1. Background The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) plays a critical role in supporting African countries throughout the negotiation and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is a major milestone in Africa’s regional integration agenda and a key driver of economic growth, industrialization, and sustainable development, in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. To fully leverage the potential of the AfCFTA, ratification by all African Union Member States and the development of robust national implementation strategies are essential. ECA continues to support Member States in this regard, including in the completion of outstanding negotiations under Phase I (trade in goods and services) and Phase II (investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy, digital trade, and women and youth in trade). The private sector—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses led by women and youth—has a central role in AfCFTA implementation. However, limited access to trade-related information remains a key barrier to their effective participation. To help overcome this challenge, ECA, through its African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC), has developed a methodology to prepare national step-by-step guides for exporting goods under the AfCFTA. These guides provide practical information on regulatory and procedural requirements for imports and exports and are designed to serve as key content for national trade information portals. Somalia has made several key strides toward AfCFTA implementation but has not yet fully ratified all required procedures. In November 2023, Somalia validated its National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy through a stakeholder workshop involving government, private sector, civil society, academia, and parliament, with technical assistance from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The Strategy has Cabinet approval, and Parliament is expected to ratify the AfCFTA agreement. High-level political commitment is evident: in April 2025, Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry reaffirmed the government’s determination to accelerate the ratification process after meeting with the AfCFTA Secretary-General. Also, Somalia has participated in continental forums such as the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, signalling its interest in aligning national policy with AfCFTA protocols, including those dealing with goods, services, investment, and digital trade. Following an official request from the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), with support from the Government of Denmark, under the Danish International Development Agency ( DANIDA) phase 2 project, will recruit a national consultant to develop a Somalia-specific step-by-step guide. This initiative will be conducted in close coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; the Ministry of Finance; the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and other relevant national institutions, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This project aims to support inclusive AfCFTA implementation by promoting digital tools and knowledge products that empower businesses, especially women- and youth-led SMEs—to trade more effectively under the Agreement. 2. Objective The objective is to develop a Somalia-specific step-by-step guide outlining the regulatory and procedural requirements for trading goods under the AfCFTA. The guide aims to support the engagement of the private sector, including women- and youth-led SMEs, in intra-African trade and will also contribute to updating the content of Somalia’s national trade information portal. 3. Methodology The development of the guide will follow a triangulated approach involving: 1. Documentary research: Review of the AfCFTA Agreement, Somalia’s trade laws, customs and border procedures, institutional frameworks, and the national AfCFTA implementation strategy. 2. Primary data collection: Gathering information from key ministries, agencies, and selected businesses through interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions; 3. Stakeholder mapping exercise: Include a step to identify and categorize all relevant stakeholders (customs, line ministries, chambers, women/youth business associations, transport/logistics actors) The consultant shall follow the “Methodology for Developing National Step-by-Step Guide for Trade in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” produced by ECA, and apply it as appropriate in the development of the national guide. 4. Duties and Responsibilities of the Consultant The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) and the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) directors and focal points from ECA, in collaboration with representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Finance of Somalia. Responsibilities include: • Engaging national stakeholders to assess Somalia’s trade framework and AfCFTA readiness; • Identify key goods produced in Somalia with potential to compete in regional markets, and assess their level of readiness in terms of packaging, quality standards, and product diversification. • Determine strategic AfCFTA-imported inputs that can support the development of regional value chains in priority sectors. Documenting and evaluating customs and border procedures at key points of entry and exit (e.g., Mogadishu Port, Bosaso Port, Berbera Corridor, land borders with Ethiopia and Kenya); assess the trade facilitation at those borders • Assessing the readiness of the private sector, with a focus on women- and youth-led SMEs; • Analyzing trade-related legislation, policies, and AfCFTA implementation measures; • Ensuring gender mainstreaming by assessing the unique challenges faced by women traders and including tailored recommendations. • Identifying cross-border cooperation mechanisms with neighboring countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti) to align customs and border practices. • Mapping the step-by-step export procedures for targeted goods; • Documenting the process for obtaining Certificates of Origin; • Value chain and product prioritization: Add an activity to identify 2–3 priority product groups (e.g., livestock, fishery products, sesame, bananas, frankincense) for piloting the step-by-step guide. • Drafting the guide based on the approved methodology; • Presenting the draft at a national validation workshop; • Presenting the draft at a national validation workshop; • Revising the guide based on feedback; • Submitting the final validated version to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and ECA; • Supporting a selected group of SMEs in applying the guide’s steps; • Contributing content for the update of Somalia’s national trade information portal. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, international trade, law, or a related field. 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. Minimum of 7 years of experience in trade policy, trade facilitation, or related areas; • Solid knowledge of the AfCFTA, Somalia’s economic and trade context, and regulatory frameworks, demonstrated experience working in fragile or post-conflict environments, given Somalia's context. • Experience in conducting research on regional integration and private sector development; • Strong analytical and writing skills; • Proficiency in data collection, stakeholder consultation, and policy analysis. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Somali is an asset. 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.