Result of Service• An inception report, detailing the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and how he/she plans to proceed with its execution, accompanied by an analytical and methodological framework, and a properly articulated data collection tool with some pointers to the main data requirements of various chapters(questionnaire). • A conceptual chapter, intended as chapter 3 of ARIA XI, titled “Chapter 3: “Theoretical Underpinnings of Free Trade Areas, Customs Unions, and Common Marketsâ€. • A properly reviewed/edited consolidated full draft of the ARIA XI Report drawn from various background papers/chapters (factoring comments and suggestions from the internal ARIA Review team), which includes a well-written Executive Summary and the Concluding Chapter of the Report, consisting of the key findings and actionable recommendations. • A final reviewed and fully edited draft of the ARIA XI Report, which reflects internal ECA comments and experts’ comments and suggestions made at the EGM.

Work LocationHome Based

Expected duration9

Duties andResponsibilities

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) seeks the services of a lead consultant to work with the internal ARIA team and other consultants in the preparation of the thematic part of the 11th Edition of the report on Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA XI). Under the overall guidance of the ECA Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Regional Integration Section, and as elaborated in the ARIA XI Concept Note, the lead consultant will be required to: • Design and propose an overarching analytical/methodological framework to anchor and guide the research and analyses in the other thematic chapters of the report, building on the preliminary methodological approach contained in the ARIA X Concept Note. • Develop and propose a data collection tool – i.e. a questionnaire, which would be shared with and used by chapter authors, and subsequently (during the review/editing process) reconcile data used by consultants of various background papers/chapters of the report. • Review and comment on draft inception reports of all the other chapter authors/consultants with a view of easing subsequent efforts at synchronizing and consolidating the composite report, including ensuring that cross-cutting issues related to the gender, youth and environment are appropriately built in in the analyses. • Conduct a desk review of the existing literature on Free Trade Areas, Customs Union and Common Markets and draft the theoretical/conceptual background chapter of the report (Chapter 3), titled “Theoretical Underpinnings of Free Trade Areas, Customs Unions, and Common Marketsâ€. A more detailed ToRs for this chapter is attached as annex to this document. • Receive and review all the draft background papers from the other ARIA XI consultants, as well as from ECA staff and consolidate them into a coherent draft report, with a clear storyline and requisite consistency between the different sections of the draft report, including between the theoretical and empirical parts. • Draw from the other chapters of the report and prepare; a) an executive Summary of the report; and b) the draft concluding chapter, which would, present the key findings, as well as actionable recommendations. • Attend various ARIA stakeholder workshops and peer review meetings organized by ECA. In particular, he/she would attend the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) that would review the full draft ARIA XI Report, and capture comments and suggestions that would emanate therefrom, to produce a final revised draft. II. Objectives and structure of report: The overall objective of ARIA XI is to provide policy recommendations to African countries and other relevant stakeholders on how to successfully transition from a Free Trade Area to a Customs Union and subsequently to a Common Market. It is envisaged that ARIA XI will have nine thematic/substantive chapters, alongside introductory and concluding chapters. The proposed chapter outline is as follows:

•  Chapter 1: The Status of Regional Integration in Africa
•  Chapter 2: The AfCFTA and the transition to a continental Customs Union and Common Market
•  Chapter 3: Theoretical underpinnings of Free Trade Areas, Customs Unions and Common Markets
•  Chapter 4: Customs unions and common markets: Experiences/lessons from African RECs and from CUs/CMs across the world
•  Chapter 5: Trade and economic benefits of a continental customs union and common market
•  Chapter 6: Towards a Continental Customs Union: harmonization of tariffs and operationalization of a common external Tariff
•  Chapter 7: Towards a Continental Common Market: Addressing Non-tariff Measures, Non-Tariff Barriers and Coordinating/harmonizing policies and standards
•  Chapter 8: Governance and resources requirements for establishing and operationalizing the continental Customs Union and African Common Market
•  Chapter 9: Conclusion and Recommendations Further details on the envisaged focus of each of the proposed chapters, as well as the overall scope of the report are contained in the ARIA XI Concept Note.

Qualifications/special skillsAt least a Doctorate Degree in Economics, International Trade, International Trade Policy, International Economics, Development Economics, Law or other relevant fields. At least 15 years of relevant work experience in the field of regional integration, economics and trade policy analysis and research in Africa is required. Proven experience in trade negotiations and advising African countries on trade policy at national, regional, continental and international levels is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post fluency in oral and written English is required and knowledge of French is desirable.

No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.