Consultant-trade agreement (legal provisions)

Output a: Review the initial framework and content of the draft outline of the e-learning course titled "Negotiating Investment Provisions in Trade Agreements: A Practical Course for Graduating LDCs" and provide recommendations to ESCAP staff through online consultation. This online course is targeted to be about six hours of content (with six modules). Deliverables: Review and provide recommendations communicated during two online meetings of approximately 45 minutes, together with at least one follow-up exchange or meeting with ESCAP staff by the end of August, as needed. Delivery Date: 31 August 2026 Output b: Prepare lecture and presentation materials and record the e-learning Module 4, tentatively titled “What Is Inside an Investment Chapter?” Subject to consultation with the selected consultant, the module will explain the evolution from bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to investment chapters in preferential trade agreements (PTAs), the role of an investment chapter within the broader structure of a PTA, and its relationship with other relevant chapters and provisions, among others. The module will also provide an overview of the main components of investment chapters, including scope and definitions; entry, admission and establishment of investment; treatment and protection standards; reservations and non-conforming measures; exceptions; and other relevant topics. The scope will be finalized in consultation with the consultant. The consultant may also contribute selected insights based on their expertise and experience to Module 5, “Lessons from Investment Disputes and Key Issues,” and Module 6, “Preparing a Negotiating Position,” among other modules. The final module with the consultant’s appearance will be approximately 1 hour long. The recording will be conducted via Zoom in an interview format with ESCAP staff. ESCAP will manage all recording arrangements and video editing. The consultant will also help prepare approximately 15 questions for two quizzes included in the e-learning module. Deliverables: Prepare instructional content and supporting materials, as appropriate, and completed recorded session(s). Delivery Date: 1 October 2026 Output c: Participate in approximately six individual online consultations with the ESCAP team between September and January 2027, generally for about 30 minutes each and scheduled according to the consultant's availability. Consultations may include recommendations and feedback on the e-learning course, development of the TINA investment module and Legal TINA, and related research paper(s). The consultant will also review and provide suggestions on ESCAP’s working paper, which is planned for publication in December 2026. The paper will explain the key areas of 50+ investment provisions, including their prevalence, recent trends, and orientation toward host States or investors. Deliverables: Participation in the consultations and provision of substantive expert recommendations and feedback. Delivery Date: 31 December 2026 Output d: Prepare for and participate as a resource person in one session of approximately one hour during a one-day workshop planned to be held in Bangkok in January or February 2027 for selected officials from target LDCs. Participation is currently expected to be online. Deliverables: Prepared presentation and participation in the designated workshop session. Delivery Date: January 2027 (exact date to be confirmed) Output e: overall review and quality assurance, including providing substantive edits on draft modules and background study of the ESCAP’s AP-MDEA Tool; Deliverables: Written review comments, recommendation and provision of substantive edits on draft AP-MDEA modules and background study referred by ESCAP; Delivery Date: Aligned with ESCAP’s drafting schedule Output f: organize and facilitate advisory board validation meetings, including conduct online meetings to validate the ESCAP reference tool and research findings Deliverables: Preparation and participation for approximately three online advisory board meetings for AP-MDEA tool. Delivery Date: Aligned with ESCAP’s validation schedule Output g: serve as facilitator and speaker at digital trade integration related workshops Deliverables: preparation of meeting materials and participation in workshops, including in-person as required Delivery Date: Aligned with ESCAP’s workshop schedule Evaluation of outputs: Internal review and acceptance by ESCAP of the completed deliverables.

Bangkok

24/8/26-31/1-30/4/27

Background / Purpose: Five of the ten least developed countries (LDCs) in Asia and the Pacific, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia, are expected to graduate from LDC status within the next three years. As they graduate, graduating countries will face the gradual loss of preferential market access. Consequently, they are increasingly seeking to strengthen their trade negotiation capacity, particularly by improving their understanding of investment chapters in trade agreements, and have requested ESCAP’s support in this area. ESCAP’s Trade Policy and Facilitation Section (TPFS) has been supporting member States through the development of capacity-building courses, including e-learning courses and workshops, as well as providing analytical tools for trade negotiators, including Trade Intelligence Negotiation Advisor (TINA) and Legal TINA. In this context, with support from the Government of Japan, ESCAP TPFS has launched a project titled “Trade Negotiations Capacity Development on Investment Chapters of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs).” The project aims to improve understanding of investment chapters in trade agreements and enhance government readiness to negotiate using analytical platforms such as TINA and Legal TINA. As a key output, target government officials will have access to relevant knowledge and analytical platforms, including e-learning courses, to support the analysis of investment provisions in trade negotiations. The project is scheduled to run until May 2027. During this period, we aim to design and develop the e-learning course and add a new investment component to TINA, with the e-learning course scheduled for launch in December 2026. ESCAP also plans to hold a dedicated workshop in Bangkok for selected government officials who have completed the course and the required quizzes and assignments. The workshop will provide additional targeted lectures to supplement the e-learning materials. In addition, the consultant will support the implementation of the project titled “Regional Digital Trade Integration for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific” under the Trade Policy and Facilitation Section, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division (TIID), ESCAP. The consultant’s scope will also extend to support ESCAP in developing a treaty-ready reference tool on a Model Digital Economy Agreement for Asia-Pacific (AP-MDEA). Objective: Under the guidance and supervision of designated staff members in the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division (TIID), and the overall guidance of the Chief of TPFS and Director of TIID, the selected international consultant will support the design and development of the e-learning course, including serving as an instructor, as well as the development of the new investment module of TINA. The consultant will identify the necessary substantive components; review and provide recommendations on the course framework and related analytical work; prepare and deliver the module most closely aligned with the consultant’s expertise in investment provisions in regional trade agreements (RTAs); provide periodic expert consultations on TINA, Legal TINA and related research; and contribute as a speaker to a TIID workshop for selected officials from graduating LDCs. In addition, the consultant will undertake overall review and quality assurance of the AP-MDEA Reference Tool, including substantive edits on draft modules and background study; organize and facilitate Advisory Board validation meetings; and serve as facilitator and speaker at digital trade integration-related workshops.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, economics, international trade, public policy, international relations or related areas is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Extensive professional or academic experience in one or more of the following areas: international investment law and policy; investment provisions in RTAs or PTAs; FDI analysis; trade or investment negotiations; and capacity-building for government officials. Demonstrated experience in preparing and delivering training, workshops is required. Familiarity with the needs of developing countries and LDCs is desirable.

Fluency in written and spoken English and strong communication skills are required.

Not available.

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.