UNDP Jobs - 89448- International Trade Development Advisor.

International Trade Development Advisor.

Location :

home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

20-Jan-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

235 working days over a period of 12 months.

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

235 working days over a period of 12 months.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The regional project Strengthening Arab Economic Integration for Sustainable Development (AEISD), within the UNDP, has an objective to provide technical assistance to the League of Arab States (LAS), specifically the Economic Sector and relevant organs, and member states of Pan Arab Free Trade Area (PAFTA) in working towards a deepened integration, including preparations for the Arab Customs Union.
The second important component relates to strengthening the Arab connectivity among economies in the region with the expectation, these efforts would be translated into more contribution of economic integration for better livelihood of people, more employment opportunity and participation by the private sector. Trade has significant potential to fight poverty in Arab countries through generation of
more income and access to markets. Upgrading current preferential trade arrangements will contribute to the realization of strategic visions of Arab Common Market. The third component focuses on the promotion of inclusiveness and transparency as part of the development agenda, particularly on the economic empowerment of women, for regional economic integration.
Built on the progress achieved in the previous program of support to implementation of PAFTA (Executive Program of PAFTA), the current project focuses on specific aspects of making trade an engine of inclusive and sustainable growth guided by the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In continuation, the Project will also focus on helping countries and the main sub-regional and regional integration entities to accelerate the pace of trade reforms and regional economic integration, to strengthen the employment effects of those reforms, with a focus on women and youth.
The project aims to address specific challenges and complexities that Arab countries (and League of Arab States) face to enhance regional economic integration, more specifically in the transition from an FTA- based framework towards making the customs union a reality.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of the assignment will cover the following areas, among others:

Development of the framework of Strengthened Arab economic integration
Provision of technical advice to target Arab countries in promotion of the Arab Agreement of liberalization of trade in services (the Services Agreement)
Provision of technical advice to Economic Sector and sub-regional entities, as appropriate, with regard to coordination mechanisms to optimize policy impact
Provision of technical advice to support reform and modernization of trade policy to target Arab countries at national level in the light of international standards and practices of the multilateral trading system.

For additional information, please refer to ANNEX I – Terms of Reference

Competencies

Competencies:
Corporate

Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional

Time management and organizational skills, with the ability to undertake multiple tasks and deliver under pressure;
Strong analytical and synthesis skills;
Ability to work independently and achieve quality results with limited supervision and within tight schedules;
Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills;
Experience in reports production;
Ability to write in a clear and concise manner;
Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure;
Excellent computer skills especially Word, Excel and Power Point.

Knowledge Management and Learning

Ability to strongly promote and build knowledge products;
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
Demonstrates a strong capacity for innovation and creativity in providing strategic policy advice and direction.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Economics, international trade, business administration, trade and development or related fields.
Participated in specialized trainings on trade/investment facilitation, econometric modelling and improvement of trade efficiency

Years of experience:

Minimum of 15 years of practical and proven experience in the formulation of trade and/or economic policies and in the provision of trade and trade-related services in the areas of regional trade programs and promotion of regional trade/economic integration.

Technical experience:

Extensive experience in international trade and preferential trade arrangements in the Arab countries, Arab economic integration with focus on trade in services.
Demonstrated experience in public policy making in trade and economic matters in Arab countries and its implementation.
A solid experience in the areas of international and regional trade, economic development, trade policy, trade negotiations, formulation of measures of trade liberalization in goods and services, and public trade policy making;
Proven experiences with work completed in trade in services towards free flow of production factors and economic efficiency in the Arab region;
Expertise and proven track record in economic analysis, analytical works of trade and trade-related matters, including good understanding of trade for 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and promotion of public-private dialogue for international trade;
In-depth understanding of the WTO Agreements and rules, PAFTA and detailed understanding of Regional Trade Agreements and promotion of good governance;
Detailed understanding to strengthen institutional arrangements of regional and sub-regional organizations;
Being familiar with working mechanisms of the League of Arab States or similar organizations is desirable;
Excellent writing, editing, reporting and oral communication skills in English and Arabic.

Language Requirements

Excellent writing, editing and oral communications in English and Arabic in a clear and concise manner, strong analytical and synthesis skills, presentation and drafting skills;
Required fluency in English and Arabic, and good knowledge of French is desirable.

How to apply:
The consultancy is open for all international consultants who meet the selection criteria and propose a competitive fee. Interested consultants are requested to apply only through this UNDP jobs portal.
Submissions through any other media will not be considered.
The application must include all of the following documents:
1. P11,
2. Annex 3 (Offerors Letter) and
3. Financial proposal
All files shall be submitted in one single document and uploaded as word or PDF file to the UNDP job site.
It has been observed that bidders don’t submit all requested documents and thus reducing their chance to be selected for a contract with UNDP. before you submit your offer please revise that the application is complete and comprises all four (4) documents.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.