Background

Since independence in 1990, Namibia has been infamous for its huge and persistent trade deficit particularly in commodities that can be produced locally. Despite Namibia being party to various Free Trade Agreements, the country has remained a net-importer of various basic commodities including food and other agri-products like fertilizers. As a result, Namibia finds itself in unfavorable situations that make the country vulnerable to food insecurity. For instance, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic that left most of the borders closed for trade resulted in shortage of food in the country and subsequent rise in prices.

The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seems to be Namibia’s hope to increase its export base by getting access to the African market with an estimated population of 2.5 billion people. However, access to this market requires knowledge about the dynamics of demand and supply. Therefore, a market intelligence study is required to establish the demand for locally produced commodities in this market coinciding with shortages of similar commodities.

Based on the above, the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the Namibia Trade Forum (NTF) seeks the services of an expert consultant to conduct a market intelligence study that will identify existing demand manifested through shortage of locally produced commodities within the continent. The market access analysis should also consider domestic market taking into account the retail sector charter.

The findings from the market intelligence study will enable producers/manufacturers to become more customer-centric, gain a better understanding of market demands and perspectives of consumers, collect real-time relevant data, increase upselling chances and earnings, decrease risks and vulnerability to shocks, increase market shares, and gain a competitive advantage.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. A detailed background of Namibian locally produced/manufactured commodities including export trend of such commodities to other AfCFTA member states. Under Domestic Market access and Foreign Market access, provide practical case study of one of Namibia’s neighbouring countries for instance Botswana who is also trading in the same commodities and in the same Trade Bloc (SACU).
  1. Retail sector charter
  • Overview of the retail sector charter and its provisions
  • Implications of the retail sector charter
  • Options for the increased implementation of the retail sector charter
  • NDP5 and HPP2 (align these two with the retail sector charter)
  • Conclusion

 

  1. Domestic market access
  • Outline the trend of market access in the domestic market taking into account Namibia’s retail charter
  • Challenges experienced in accessing domestic market for locally produced commodities (outline key challenges for the traders especially women and the youth)
  • Profile of commodities experiencing challenges to access domestic market (is there a surge in imports of the same commodities, if so, from where?
  • Profile of commodities enjoying domestic market access, what has been their journey to success
  • Conclusion

 

  1. Foreign market access
  • Provide detailed outline of competitive landscape within various sectors, including opportunities and challenges in key markets
  • Profile of potential commodities for export under AfCFTA
  • Demand forecasting for local commodities in the AfCFTA market
  • Establish trade events/ trade leads for various industries
  • Provide timely update on industry opportunities and market conditions
  • Detailed overview of incentives for export under AfCFTA
  • Conclusion

 

 

  1. Market diversification tool
  • Profile of potential new export market using current trade partners
  1. Conclusion and recommendations
  • Provide concise summary of the findings
  • Outline recommendations with an action plan on how to execute the recommended actions

Competencies

Language and IT skill:

  • Excellent written and oral English and communications skills.
  • Have a good capacity for advanced report writing, analysis, and drafting of technical and policy documents.
  • Full proficiency in terms of software and e-networking.
  • Excellent presentation and written skills.

Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the values and ethical standards of the United Nations.
  • Promotes the vision, mission, strategic goals, and values of the UN including working in a culturally diverse environment. 
  • Demonstrated experience and ability to lead and motivate a team
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Demonstrates an ability to function in a team environment and shares knowledge and experience.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A Master’s degree in the field of social science including economics, development studies, international trade, or other related fields with several years of field experience. A PhD.in Economics/International trade will be an added advantage. 

Years of experience:

  • At least seven years of relevant experience in quantitative economic analysis of domestic and foreign markets, trade policies, including the use of supporting databases and analytical tools.
  • Familiarity with trade rules and relevant experience in supporting countries in the analysis, formulation and implementation of domestic and trade policies and trade agreements.
  • Understanding of the instruments and protocols under the AfCFTA.
  • Good understanding of Namibia’s retail sector charter.
  • Good understanding of Namibia and/or African economies relative to trade.
  • Knowledge of demand forecasting using analytical software (e.g., R Studio, E-views, Python etc.)
  • Familiar with international databases e.g., COMTRADE, Trade-Map, WDI, and OECD.    
  • Professional experience in developing, delivering, and facilitating validation workshops on relevant topics related to the assignment under review.
  • Work experience in conducting market intelligence.
  • Strong knowledge of the continental market and regional trade agreements.
  • Proven experience on a similar assignment.
  • Strong working knowledge of the United Nations (UN). 

How to apply:

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

Recommended Presentation of Offer;

  • Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
  • Personal CV or a P11 Personal History form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
  • Brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment (max 1 page).
  • Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (based on the number of working days mentioned ToR.

Note:

  • Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows uploading maximum one document.
  • Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply;
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS WILL LEAD TO CANDIDATES BEING DISQUALIFIED.

Incomplete applications will be excluded from further consideration.

To download the full Terms of Reference (TOR), P11 History Form and The Financial Proposal Template,  please access the UNDP Procurement Notice site on the below link: UNDP | Procurement Notices - 94437 - Assessment of Domestic and Forei