Expert Trainer on EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Result of ServiceThe required outputs to be delivered by the consultant are to develop the following: • Deliver a presentation on the specific features of CBAM in terms of functioning coverage, timeline, flexibilities, carbon certificate, and challenges for exporters. • Prepare a presentation for the purpose of the dedicated session Work LocationRemotly Expected durationOne week Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and objectives The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a tariff on imports, aiming to decrease the competitiveness of imported goods in the EU’s markets. It is also intended to reduce the reallocation of European firms or segments of value chains to non-European countries, even those involved in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU. While the declared objective of the CBAM is to reduce emissions, the impacts are likely to be significant on most countries outside the EU, mostly those with high energy intensity and without national carbon abatement policies. The CBAM will be imposed on carbon-intensive products entering the EU. The five industries under the scope of the CBAM were initially aluminum, cement, electricity, fertilizer, and iron & steel. However, hydrogen was added as the sixth sector in the updated version of the CBAM regulation on January 25, 2023. The selection of these six sectors is motivated by the high risk of carbon leakage on one side and their significant carbon emissions levels on the other. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) involves imposing a carbon tax on carbon-intensive products entering the European Union (EU), ensuring European producers and importers pay the same carbon price. For the European Commission, the CBAM does not only complement and reinforce the EU-Emissions Trade System (ETS), but it also encourages global decarbonization. The CBAM is proposed by the EU to lower the risk of carbon leakage. The CBAM comes with its large distortion effects on global trade, affecting different economies worldwide, including Arab economies. Allocating part of the revenues generated by the CBAM to support the most impacted non-EU developing countries to address equity concerns may be negotiated bilaterally between the most vulnerable Arab countries and the EU. These funds could be used to help reduce emissions and improve institutional capacities. The regional workshop involves participants from the Ministries of Trade of ESCWA member States in addition to representors of other international organizations and other institutions concerned. The workshop will provide participants further insights on the risks and challenges for Arab exports to the EU. It will also present and discuss preliminary findings on the impacts of the latest proposals on CBAM on North African countries using appropriate techniques. The workshop is organized in partnership with the UNECA, building on the initial assessment made by ECA on the impacts of CBAM on African economies, including Arab African countries. The consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks: - The consultant will participate in the delivery of the workshop with a focus on the specific features of CBAM in terms of functioning, coverage, challenges and risks for Arab countries. - The consultant will prepare a presentation for the purpose of the respective sessions. Qualifications/special skillsAn Advanced University degree in applied Economics is required. A PHD is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 7 years of experience in trade analysis and quantitative assessments is required. Strong experience in capacity building and training on trade topics is required. Familiar with the CBAM European trade policies is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. 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.