An inception report, detailing the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and how he/she plans to proceed with its execution, accompanied by a proposed analytical and methodological framework, and a well-articulated data collection tool with pointers to the main data requirements of various chapters (questionnaire).
A coherent theoretical/conceptual framework for the background chapter of the report (Chapter 2) titled “Africa’s Industrialization Landscape and AFCFTA-Anchored Regional Value Chains (RVCs)”.
A properly reviewed/edited consolidated full draft of the ARIA XII Report drawn from various background papers/chapters (reflecting comments and suggestions from the internal ARIA Review team), which includes a well written introductory chapter, an Executive Summary and a Concluding Chapter of the Report, consisting of the key findings and actionable recommendations.
A final reviewed and fully edited draft of the ARIA XII Report, which reflects internal ECA comments and experts’ comments and suggestions made at the EGM.
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Work Location
Work Remotely
Expected duration
7.0
Duties and Responsibilities
Background The Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), 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". ARIA XII examines the conditions under which institutional and policy integration translates into productive integration, that is, interconnected regional production systems capable of driving industrialization, productivity growth, employment and structural transformation within the African market. It examines the various instruments/frameworks established under the AfCFTA and how they provide conditions for building interconnected regional production systems to support industrialization. ARIA XII focuses on three sectors selected for their strategic significance to industrialization: critical minerals, agro-processing, and textiles. This selection builds on ECA's ongoing work under the De-risking Investments through Regional Value Chains initiative and is consistent with continental frameworks, including Agenda 2063, the Action Plan for Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA), the Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT) Action Plan, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA IV, 2026-2035). ARIA XII is expected to build on and complement ongoing continental and regional initiatives aimed at strengthening productive integration under the AfCFTA, including work on regional value chains, investment facilitation, and industrial development. It will also leverage ECA’s analytical work on AfCFTA implementation, regional value chains and industrialization, as well as relevant work on critical minerals, agro-processing, and textiles and apparel. The report will further draw on the industrialization initiatives by the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other continental and regional players to ensure that its analysis leverages and complements existing initiatives and contributes to the evidence base for advancing AfCFTA-anchored and regionally integrated production systems. Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) seeks the services of a lead consultant to work with the internal ARIA team in the preparation of the 12th Edition of the report on Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA XII). The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Regional Integration and Economic Diversification Section. As elaborated in the ARIA XII Concept Note, the lead consultant will be required to:
Design and propose an overarching analytical/methodological framework to anchor and guide the research and analyses in the other thematic chapters of the report, building on the preliminary methodological approach contained in the ARIA XII Concept Note.
Develop and propose a data collection tool, such as questionnaires that would be shared with informants and used by chapter authors, and subsequently (during the review/editing process) reconcile data used by writers of the various background papers/chapters of the report.
Review and comment on draft inception reports of all the other chapter authors with a view to easing subsequent efforts at synchronizing and consolidating the full report, including ensuring that cross-cutting issues related to gender, youth and the environment are appropriately built into the analyses.
Conduct a review of the existing literature on Africa’s industrialization frameworks at the national, regional (including Regional Economic Communities' (RECs) frameworks, policy declarations, decisions and other official documents) and continental levels, and draft the theoretical/conceptual background chapter of the report (Chapter 2) titled “Africa’s Industrialization Landscape and AFCFTA-Anchored Regional Value Chains (RVCs)”. A more detailed ToR for this chapter is attached as annex to this document.
Receive and review all the draft background papers from the other ARIA XII chapter authors and contributors and consolidate them into a coherent draft report, with a clear storyline and requisite consistency between the different sections of the draft report, including between the theoretical and empirical parts.
Develop the analytical framework and overall structure of the report, ensuring coherence across the individual chapters
Draw from the other chapters of the report and prepare; a) an Executive Summary of the report; and b) a draft concluding chapter along with key findings and actionable recommendations.
Attend various ARIA stakeholder workshops and peer review meetings organized by ECA. In particular, he/she would attend and contribute to the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) that would review the full draft ARIA XII Report, and capture comments and suggestions that would emanate therefrom, and produce a final revised draft.
Qualifications/special skills
An advanced degree in Economics, International Trade, International Trade Policy, International Economics, Development Economics, Law or other relevant field. A PhD in the relevant field would be an advantage. A minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience in the field of regional integration, economics and trade policy analysis and research on Africa is required. Proven experience in regional value chains and advising African countries on industrial policy at national, regional, continental and international levels is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this role fluency in oral and written English is required and knowledge of French is desirable.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE 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.
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