Expert-e / Spécialiste du commerce des services en Afrique centrale

The Consultant will provide specialized support and contribute to the effective implementation of activities under the CEEAC-Services programme, aimed at increasing trade in services in Central Africa within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The role involves coordination, technical assistance, capacity building, and reporting to support member states and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide complementary assistance to programme coordination on all relevant issues during project implementation.
• Facilitate collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders including the CEEAC Commission, member states, High Business Council, and ITC headquarters.
• Participate in meetings, planning, progress monitoring, and project evaluation.
• Ensure effective implementation of recommendations from steering committees.
• Propose and develop terms of reference for national consultants as needed.
• Coordinate and strengthen the work of national and regional experts involved in project activities.
• Identify relevant national and regional organizations for collaboration with ITC.
• Collect and monitor requests from the CEEAC Commission, member states, and private sector stakeholders, especially regarding capacity building and technical assistance.
• Continuously monitor developments in trade in services in the region, including new instruments and negotiation progress.
• Support national/regional institutions collaborating with ITC through memoranda of understanding.
• Contribute to capacity building of institutional partners for effective project execution.
• Participate in workshops organized under the project and prepare corresponding reports.
• Act as an expert and facilitate seminars, workshops, or conferences on trade in services in Central Africa.
• Develop a strategic roadmap for selected CEEAC service sectors with an action plan for validation by CEEAC.
• Contribute to the development of annual and quarterly work plans based on the action description document.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical project reports.
• Produce an annual report on the implementation status of the trade in services agreement under AfCFTA focusing on CEEAC member states.
• Perform any other relevant tasks supporting the effective implementation of the programme and the CEEAC Commission in trade in services.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Economics, Management, International Trade, or a related discipline.
• Or a Master's degree in Economics, Management, International Trade, or a related discipline.
• At least four (04) years of experience in the field of trade in services for Bachelor's degree holders.
• At least two (02) years of experience in the field of trade in services for Master's degree holders.
• Successful work experience in trade in services in Africa and Central Africa.
• Professional multi-country experience in development projects.
• Very good knowledge of AfCFTA protocols and the business framework in Central Africa.
• Very good understanding of issues related to priority service sectors of AfCFTA (transport, tourism, professional business services, ICT, finance) especially in Central Africa.
• Good understanding of public and private sector expectations and issues in Central Africa.
• Strong network within the business community in CEEAC.
• Proven experience in report writing and conducting economic studies.
• Skills in developing training content and conducting workshops.
• Good knowledge of UN administrative and financial procedures.

Skills

• Trade in Services
• Economic Studies
• Report Writing
• Training Content Delivery
• Workshop Facilitation
• AfCFTA Protocols
• Business Framework Analysis
• Public Sector Understanding
• Private Sector Understanding
• Multi-country Project Experience
• Network Building
• UN Administrative Procedures
• UN Finance Procedures
• Capacity Building
• Technical Assistance

Languages

French, English