Economic Commission for Africa
Sub-Regional Office, Central Africa (SRO-CA)

Objective

Sub-Regional Office, Central Africa (SRO-CA) covers the following ten member states of ECCAS and CEMAC: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe. The main regional integration institutions are that it works with ECCAS and CEMAC. Its mandates include fostering gender equity, collecting statistical data, production of annual report on economic and social conditions with solid recommendations of which if adopted and implemented can lead to reduction of poverty and improvement of socio-economic conditions in Central Africa. SRO-CA provides technical advisory services relating to economic co-operation and regional integration to member states as well as Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and carries out various workshops, seminars and ad-hoc expert group meetings designed to strengthen the capacity of member states and RECs to implement policies and programs that will lead the achievement of the objectives set by the Commission and member states of Central Africa and strengthen consensus-building capacity of member states and regional integration institutions to adopt and promote joint strategies and programs.

Duties and responsibilities of Consultant

Regional Integration issues

• Carry out detailed studies on the harmonization of Common External Tariff (CET) and other regional integration instruments of Central African Countries. The general objective is to build an unified common market in the sub region, in a view of rationalizing regional integration process and programs in Central Africa. The specific objectives are to propose harmonized rules and mechanisms among ECCAS and CEMAC, including a CET acceptable by all Central African states, Community Tax for Integration /CEMAC, Community Levy for Integration/ECCAS, Customs codes and free movement of persons regulations. The studies shall also define a methodology of negotiations for the adoption of the harmonized instruments.

• Carry out studies on trade statistics in Central Africa. The general objective is to improve the impact of Central Africa FTAs, through an appropriate treatment of the intra-regional trade, in particular the transborder exchanges, and an operationnalization of the sub regional compensation mechanisms.

• Carry out studies on the harmonization of procedures of enterprise creation in Central Africa. The studies will review the time and cost involved in enterprise creation in Central Africa and propose strategies for reducing red tape in order to improve the business environment for investors. In 2005 the region was described by Doing Business, a book issued by World Bank, as the worst attractive region in the world for investors. These studies are requested by Central African member states and form part of the implementation of the recommendations of a forum on investment held in June 2006 in Brazzaville, Congo.

• Carry out feasibility studies on regional mechanisms for investment guarantee to cover risk for banks to lend credit to small and medium sized businesses and assist enterprises in accessing credit facilities in Central Africa. It was found in previous studies that the banks in the region have excessive reserves but are not willing to lend to small and medium sized companies. These studies are also requested by Central African member states and form part of the implementation of the recommendations of a meeting on investment held in June 2006 in Brazzaville, Congo.

• Carry out studies on sectoral policies of the sub regional economic communities and member states. The studies shall review the feasibility and implementation modalities of the sectoral programs of NEPAD, ECCAS, CEMAC and other Central Africa IGOs, in areas of transport, energy, water resources, agriculture and forestry.

Macro-economic and sectoral issues

• Undertake detailed country studies and analyses on issues of socio-economic development in the sub-region. These studies will involve both quantitative and qualitative approaches and will have to be of a sufficiently high standard to be publishable in the Les Economies de l'Afrique Centrale and/or other publications of the office.

• Provide input on issues related to social change and development, particularly analysis of the socio-cultural aspects of poverty reduction strategies and economic development; analysis of policies and programs related to education, health, employment, gender, HIV/ AIDS and the role of social groups in development.

• Contribute to the assessment of the state of transport services and industry in Central Africa. The reason behind the study is to help ECCAS to define a better strategy and policy to improve the air transport services and industry in terms of airline operation and airport development, as well as advise member states in coordinating air transport operation in the sub-region. The ultimate objective is to provide the sub-region with appropriate air services network that link all the capital cities of ECCAS.

• Carry out country specific socio-economic reviews with focus on major areas of sectoral programs for the development capacities of RECs and member countries in support of their development efforts.

• Undertake other socio-economic studies and support the staff of the office in the quantitative analysis of macroeconomic and social indicators/trends at sub-regional level. The task will involve: (i) statistical analysis of aggregate macroeconomic data to detect long term trends and short run fluctuations, (ii) contribution to data collection and to the construction of socio-economic databases, (iii) preparation of macroeconomic and social policy recommendations based on the quantitative analysis.

Qualifications

Education

Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree) is required (PhD is an advantage) in any of the following areas: Economics, Sociology or other social sciences, Planning and Development, Finance, Financial Economics, International Trade, Public Administration or related areas combined with a proven extensive experience in local and regional development planning/implementation, capacity development, public administration, customs and taxation, project management, economic growth, poverty reduction.

Work Experience

At least 7 years of experience in Economics, Social Development Analysis, Political Science, International Trade, Business or Public Administration is required. Proven record of report writing on economic/social development issues, financial system analysis, and international trade or public administration topics is required. Experience in program management and research institutions and familiarity with the legal, tax and finance system in central Africa is desirable. Experience with NGOs is desirable.

Competencies

Professionalism - Expertise and understanding macroeconomics issues, public administration theories, principles of international trade (custom and taxation) and their applications to specific country conditions particularly as management innovation; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity and ability to thoroughly analyze and evaluate social issues; ability to produce quality reports and publications in selected areas of economics, public administration and international trade; ability to convert analytical and statistical products into operational tools; ability to integrate gender perspectives into analytical reports; ability to interact with member states, counterparts and private organizations. Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Communication - Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly the ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to defend complex issues and positions to senior staff; ability to interact with high-level government officials. Planning and organizing - Proven ability to monitor and adjust plan and priorities as necessary and to work according to deadlines.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken French is required. Knowledge of English is an advantage.

Other desirable/required Skills

Strong computer skills including the use of software relating to macroeconomic and international trade research, and econometric analysis are desirable. Proficiency with spreadsheet and database applications as well as facility with word processing, presentation application and the Internet is required.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested persons who wish to be considered for the roster are requested to complete the Personal History Form (Form P-11) and send it before 31 May 2008 by e-mail to: ecarecruitment@uneca.org . Kindly note that only applications submitted on Form P-11 will be reviewed.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).

After the initial screening process, persons found to meet the eligibility requirements indicated in the TORs will be contacted for verification of their academic and professional credentials. On completion of the verification process, those retained for roster will be advised accordingly. They will subsequently be contacted to undertake consultancy assignments whenever the need arises. The duration of such assignments ranges from one to six months.