The ultimate result of the consultancy service is that African countries will have enhanced capacity to harness their critical mineral resources for value addition, industrialization, and economic diversification, thereby strengthening regional integration and accelerating the effective implementation of the AfCFTA.

Home based

4 months

Background and Context Africa has a unique opportunity and strategic position to drive the global energy transition. Indeed, the continent is estimated to host approximately 30% of the world’s known reserves of critical green minerals , including significant shares of cobalt, manganese, and other battery metals. Africa has 46 percent of global manganese reserves. However, the continent continues to export most of these resources in raw or minimally processed form, capturing limited value and generating insufficient industrial linkages. The Africa Mining Vision (AMV) provides a blueprint for mineral-based industrialization and structural transformation. The African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) further emphasizes sustainable exploitation of green minerals, regional value chains, and climate-aligned industrial growth. At the same time, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates unprecedented opportunities to build integrated regional markets, promote cross-border value chains, and strengthen Africa’s collective bargaining power in global mineral markets. International frameworks, including the G20 Critical Minerals Framework , further shape the global policy landscape within which African countries must position themselves. To realize the objectives of the program on “Harnessing Green Minerals, the AfCFTA, Regional Value Chains and Domestic Resource Mobilization for Accelerated Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization in Africa” and more specifically of Outcome 1: Enhanced capacity for green industrial policy and equitable resource-based industrialization, African countries require a deeper technical understanding of how to design coherent green industrial policies, attract targeted investments, and build regional mineral value chains to leverage the critical mineral sector and boost AfCFTA implementation. Within this context, UNECA seeks to recruit an Industrial Policy Expert to produce a comprehensive study on leveraging Africa’s critical green minerals to drive an inclusive and sustainable industrial development in the AfCFTA context. Scope of Work Under the supervision of UNECA’s Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Division (CFND), and in close coordination with UNECA’s Division of Regional Integration and Trade (RITD), the Consultant will undertake the following tasks: Phase I: Inception and Analytical Framework • Develop an inception report outlining understanding of the ToRS, methodology, analytical framework, and workplan for the completion of the assignment. • Review key continental and global policy frameworks, including: o Africa Mining Vision o African Green Minerals Strategy o African Continental Free Trade Area o G20 Critical Minerals Framework • Define priority critical/green mineral value chains for analysis based on relevance to the AfCFTA agenda (e.g., battery minerals, rare earths, green steel inputs). Deliverable: Inception Report. Phase II: Diagnostic and Analytical Study 1. Assessment of Green Mineral Endowment and Industrial Potential o Analyze the regional distribution of critical green minerals (in collaboration with the consultant on the mapping of green minerals in Africa). o Identify complementarities across countries for regional value chain development. o Assess current trade patterns within and outside Africa. 2. Leveraging AfCFTA for Green Industrialization o Examine relevant AfCFTA protocols (trade in goods, rules of origin, investment, competition policy). o Identify policy instruments under AfCFTA that can promote:  Regional processing and beneficiation  Cross-border industrial clusters  Infrastructure and logistics integration  SME participation and inclusion of women and youth o Analyze barriers to intra-African trade in critical green mineral value chains. 3. Investment and Financing Framework o Identify targeted investment opportunities along selected value chains. o Assess how African countries can align incentives with green industrial policy objectives. o Explore coordination with development finance institutions and climate finance mechanisms. 4. Inclusive and Equitable Industrialization o Integrate social inclusion considerations, including ASM integration, gender equality, and community development. o Examine environmental sustainability and just transition principles. Deliverable: Draft Study Report (Version 1). Phase III: Validation and Finalization • Present preliminary findings to UNECA and selected stakeholders (Workshop to be jointly conducted under the regional multistakeholder on mapping and implementation plan of the African Green Mineral Strategy (AGMS) • Integrate comments and feedback. • Finalize the study with clear, actionable recommendations, including: o Policy options at national and regional levels o Institutional coordination mechanisms o Sequencing roadmap for green mineral value chain development Deliverable: Final Study Report (Publication-Ready). The Consultant will report to the designated Economic Affairs Officer within CFND, in collaboration with experts at RITD. Overall supervision will be provided by the Director of CFND, relevant Section Chiefs. Technical coordination will be ensured with UNECA’s Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD).

- An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Industrial Policy, Development Economics, International Trade, Public Policy, or related field. - A minimum 10 years of experience in industrial policy, trade policy, or mineral-based development is required. - Strong understanding of: o Africa Mining Vision o Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy o African Continental Free Trade Area is desirable. - Proven experience conducting high-level policy analysis and drafting analytical reports is desirable. - Demonstrated expertise in regional value chains and economic integration in Africa is an advantage. - Experience working with African governments, regional institutions, or international organizations is highly desirable.

English and French are the working language of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post English is required, and a working knowledge of French is an asset.

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills • Ability to translate complex trade and industrial policy issues into actionable recommendations • Excellent drafting and presentation skills • Capacity to work independently and deliver under tight timelines • Demonstrated integrity and adherence to UN values

THE 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.