Lead Consultant – ARIA XII Report (Twelfth Edition)

About the role

The Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), together with the African Union Commission and the African Development Bank, is preparing the twelfth edition of the joint flagship report Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA XII), themed "Advancing Africa's Industrialization through AfCFTA-Anchored Regional Value Chains in Critical Minerals, Agro-Processing and Textiles". The lead consultant works remotely, under the guidance of the Division Director and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Regional Integration and Economic Diversification Section.

Key responsibilities

• Design and propose an overarching analytical and methodological framework for the report, and develop a data collection tool such as questionnaires for chapter authors, reconciling data later during review.
• Review and comment on draft inception reports of other chapter authors, helping synchronize and consolidate the full report and ensuring gender, youth and environmental issues are reflected.
• Review existing literature on Africa's industrialization frameworks at national, regional and continental levels, and draft the background chapter on Africa's industrialization landscape and AfCFTA-anchored regional value chains.
• Receive and review draft background papers from other authors, consolidate them into a coherent draft report, and develop the report's analytical framework and structure.
• Prepare an Executive Summary and a draft concluding chapter with key findings and recommendations.
• Attend stakeholder workshops and peer review meetings, including the Expert Group Meeting, and incorporate the resulting comments into a final revised draft.

Required profile

• An advanced degree in Economics, International Trade, International Trade Policy, International Economics, Development Economics, Law or another relevant field; a PhD is an advantage.
• A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in regional integration, economics and trade policy analysis and research on Africa.
• Proven experience in regional value chains and advising African countries on industrial policy is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required; knowledge of French is desirable.