International Consultant

Job Summary

The International Consultant will lead the structural execution and field coordination of the project across IGAD Member States. The position involves conducting diagnostic capacity assessments, mapping youth- and women-led export firms, building technical modules on the AfCFTA e-Tariff Book and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) elimination platforms, and facilitating regional workshops to foster deep customs cooperation and strategic private-sector alignment. The position reports directly to the designated ECA Project Manager.

Qualification

Candidates must meet the following strict academic standards:

• Required Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Trade, Business Administration, Law, or a closely related field.
• Preferred Merits: A PhD in a relevant, trade-focused academic discipline is considered a distinct asset for this consultancy.

Experience

• Minimum Criteria: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in trade policy, AfCFTA implementation, regional integration, private sector development, or a closely related field.
• Enterprise Development: Demonstrated experience in enterprise development, value chain analysis, or private sector capacity building in developing countries is essential. Specific regional experience in Africa and/or the IGAD region is strongly preferred.
• Training Delivery: Highly desirable experience in designing and delivering training programs tailored for government officials, customs administrations, or private sector business groups.
• Institutional Background: Prior professional experience working directly with or for the African Union, ECA, IGAD, or other relevant regional economic organizations is an advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Tools & Methodology Development

• Prepare a comprehensive inception report mapping out the specific work plan, project methodologies, and technical timelines for all deliverables.
• Develop robust criteria and frameworks for identifying and selecting high-potential AfCFTA Enterprise Champions across targeted IGAD states.
• Conduct a detailed diagnostic assessment focusing on customs operations and trade facilitation capacity gaps within the regional border networks.
• Build advanced training modules for customs officials, covering the rules of origin, customs documentation, digital systems, corridor monitoring, the AfCFTA e-Tariff Book, and the online Non-Tariff Barriers notification platform.

Private Sector Engagement & Capacity Strengthening

• Execute an extensive enterprise mapping initiative across the IGAD region to identify, assess, and formally designate high-potential exporters, ensuring the inclusion of youth- and women-led enterprises.
• Analyze structural constraints and market barriers impacting regional firms and provide actionable policy recommendations to boost preference utilization rates.
• Organize and facilitate regional workshops designed for experience-sharing among customs administrations and knowledge exchange between enterprise champions.
• Draft the final project report detailing lessons learned and contribute directly to high-level policy dialogues at both national and regional tiers.

Stakeholder Management & Networking

• Engage with key institutional stakeholders, including ministries of trade, customs administrations, private sector associations, and international development partners.
• Organize regional business matchmaking events and networking workshops to connect designated AfCFTA Champions with target buyers, investors, and trade support institutions.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Competencies

• AfCFTA Architecture: Comprehensive knowledge of the AfCFTA framework, rules of origin, trade in goods schedules, trade facilitation provisions, and NTB elimination tools.
• Regional Mechanics: Solid understanding of private sector dynamics in the IGAD region, including operational hurdles facing MSMEs.
• Customs Systems: Practical familiarity with customs modernization, corridor management, and border post environments across Eastern Africa.
• Government Relations: Experience working alongside public institutions, ministries of trade, finance authorities, and border management agencies.

Core Professional Competencies

• Delivery & Pace: Proven capacity to organize work, operate independently with minimal supervision, and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Communication Mastery: Outstanding written and oral communication skills, including advanced technical report writing and multi-stakeholder management.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational capabilities.

Applications must be processed digitally through the United Nations Careers portal.

Skills Required:

• Economics / Statistics
• Legal / Law
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management