RITD/ATPC Consultant - Trade Modeller

Result of Service1. Enhanced quality and availability of data for policy analysis; 2. Econometric or/and CGE modelling-based analyses on the AfCFTA, its protocols, or/and other reforms (e.g. increased US tariffs, trade preferences from China to Africa, fluctuation of oil prices, etc.) and their implications for Africa’s trade have been produced. 3. Green finance considerations, informed through modelling exercises, have been integrated into Africa’s trade and integration priority issues. 4. ATPC’s events on trade-related issues have been successfully organized Work LocationRemote Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesDuties and Responsibilities Background The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC), through the Regional Integration and 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. ATPC is currently executing a Project that focuses on supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to boost-intra-African trade. The Agreement establishing the AfCFTA was signed in March 2018, entered into force in May 2019 and the official start of trading under the Agreement was 1 January 2021. The AfCFTA is seen as a key milestone in Africa's integration Agenda. The AfCFTA is expected to be a key engine of economic growth, industrialization and sustainable development in Africa in line with the 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 for \"The Africa We Want\". Implementing the AfCFTA Agreement is becoming even more urgent as global geopolitical tensions are reshaping the trade landscape, with direct and indirect consequences for Africa. The convergence of conflict-driven supply chain disruptions, rising protectionism, climate change, and weakening global trade governance is creating a more volatile and uncertain environment for African economies. In this context, Africa must act as a bloc and move toward greater economic self-reliance, starting with realizing the AfCFTA. ATPC is playing a key role in support of the AU member States to successfully implement the AfCFTA, which cover a wide range of issues (trade in goods, trade in services, investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy, digital trade, women and youth in trade). ATPC also provides advice to member States, often on demand, on how to navigate external policies and key emerging issues that are expected to impact Africa’s trade, including in AfCFTA context. ATPC produces high-quality evidence-based research on all trade-related issues which matter for African countries and to facilitate decisions by the member State, especially to help maximize the expected benefits from the AfCFTA. It is against this backdrop that the ECA, through ATPC, proposes to recruit a trade modeller to carry out a variety of empirical research-related tasks to support the substantive work of the Centre on trade policy issues, including but not limited to the trade and regional integration policies, green finance, and digital trade. Duties & Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of the Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, and the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the African Trade Policy Centre, the consultant will work closely with the Project Officer and any other person assigned by ECA. The tasks to be performed by the consultant include: 1. Collect, compile and analyse data for trade policy analysis, including to feed into econometric and/or computable general equilibrium (CGE) models; 2. Undertake empirical analyses on the AfCFTA, its protocols, or/and other reforms (e.g. increased US tariffs, trade preferences from China to Africa, fluctuation of oil prices, etc.) and their implications for Africa’s trade, using econometric or/and CGE models; 3. Support the integration of green finance considerations, with a particular focus on identifying trade-related risks and opportunities linked to Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy, into Africa’s trade and integration priority issues, and informed through modelling exercises; 4. Provide support with planning, organization and servicing of events (including trainings/courses) in relation to trade; and 5. Assist with any other ad-hoc request. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Trade, Foreign Affairs 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. Minimum Six (6) years of experience in research or/and analysis using econometric or/and CGE models, preferably in the area of trade, is required. Experience using software (such as STATA or/and GAMS) to undertake empirical analysis, is also required. Experience working in Africa with knowledge of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is highly desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required while full professional proficiency in French is desirable. 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.