Consultant on artisanal and small-scale mining in Africa

The ultimate result of the service is the development of the conceptual and institutional framework for establishing an African Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Enterprises (ASME) Hub and the launch of a multi-stakeholder framework and agreement for operationalizing the ASME Hub.

ECA , Addis Ababa

9 months

Background and Context Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) is a critical component of Africa’s mineral economy and a major source of livelihoods across the continent. The sector encompasses a wide spectrum of mining activities ranging from informal subsistence mining carried out with minimal technology to small-scale commercial mining enterprises that supply minerals to national and international markets. Globally, ASM provides direct employment to approximately 45 million people across more than 80 countries, making it the largest employer in the mining sector worldwide. In addition, more than 150 million people depend indirectly on ASM for their livelihoods, underscoring its importance for rural employment and poverty reduction. Africa hosts one of the largest concentrations of ASM activity globally. Estimates suggest that approximately 9 million artisanal miners operate in Africa, supporting the livelihoods of more than 54 million dependants, making ASM the second-largest employer after agriculture in many mineral-rich African countries. The sector also contributes significantly to mineral supply and value chains and global markets. Artisanal miners produce a substantial share of several minerals, including gold, cobalt, tin, tantalum, gemstones, and other strategic minerals used in electronics and clean energy technologies. For example, artisanal mining contributes around 20% of global gold production and about 25% of global tantalum supply. Despite its socio-economic importance, ASM in Africa faces persistent challenges. The sector is largely informal, with estimates suggesting that 80–90% of artisanal miners operate outside formal regulatory frameworks, often lacking legal permits, access to finance, safety standards, and environmental safeguards. Other challenges include limited access to formal markets and finance; unsafe working conditions and environmental degradation; lack of technology and productivity-enhancing practices; exclusion of women and youth from decision-making processes; and weak integration into national and regional mineral value chains, among others. At the same time, the rapid growth in global demand for critical minerals required for the energy transition presents new opportunities for ASM to contribute to Africa’s industrialization and inclusive economic transformation. Continental frameworks such as the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and the African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) emphasize the need to integrate ASM into formal mineral economies, improve governance, promote local value addition, and strengthen community participation in mineral value chains. In this context, there is increasing recognition of the need for coordinated continental mechanisms to support ASM development. One such initiative is the establishment of an African Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Enterprises (ASME) Hub, which would bring together governments, financial institutions, civil society organizations, research institutions, and ASM enterprises to support formalization, capacity development, and sustainable enterprise development within the sector. The ASME Hub is envisioned as a continental platform that promotes professionalization and formalization of ASM; financial inclusion and access to investment for ASM enterprises; integration of ASM into mineral value chains; environmental and social standards in artisanal mining; and equity participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms for local communities, among others. To support this initiative, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) seeks to engage a consultant to conduct a comprehensive study on the status of ASM in Africa and to conceptualize, design, and support the launch of a framework to establish the ASME Hub. Duties and responsibilities Under the overall supervision of UNECA’s Director of CFND, the Chief of the Section of Natural Resources and Food Systems and and reporting to the Economic Affairs Officer leading this assignment, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: Phase 1: Inception and Analytical Framework • Prepare an inception report outlining methodology; analytical framework; work plan and timeline • Review existing literature, policies, and frameworks related to ASM, including the Africa Mining Vision; the African Green Minerals Strategy; National, regional, and continental ASM policies; global ASM initiatives and best practices, among others. Phase 2: Study on the Status of ASM in Africa • Conduct a comprehensive assessment of ASM in Africa covering geographic distribution and scale of ASM activity; employment and socio-economic impacts; the role of ASM in mineral value chains; gender and youth participation in ASM; environmental and social impacts; regulatory and policy frameworks; access to finance and markets • Identify key barriers to ASM formalization and enterprise development. • Document successful case studies and best practices from African countries. • Develop policy recommendations for strengthening ASM governance and integration into mineral value chains. Phase 3: Conceptualization of the ASME Hub • Develop a conceptual framework for the ASME Hub, including vision and objectives; institutional structure; governance arrangements; operational model; and membership structure. • Identify key services to be provided by the Hub, such as technical training and capacity building; exchanges and peer-learning platform; financial inclusion mechanisms; market access and value chain integration; environmental and safety standards; community ownership and equity participation models. Phase 4: Drafting the Establishment Framework • Draft a Framework for the Establishment of the ASME Hub, including mandate and objectives; governance arrangements; roles and responsibilities of partners; financial sustainability mechanisms; monitoring and evaluation framework, among others. Phase 5: Stakeholder Consultations and Launch • Facilitate stakeholder consultations with relevant African Union institutions; Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and relevant regional organizations; national governments; ASM associations; financial institutions and development partners, civil society organizations, among others • Revise and finalize the ASME Hub framework based on stakeholder inputs. • Support the official launch of the ASME Hub, including launch concept note, presentation materials, and roadmap for operationalization.

Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Natural Resource Governance; Development Economics; Public Policy; or related field is required. • At least 7 years of experience in the mining or extractive sector. • Experience conducting continental or regional policy studies. • Proven experience in the design of multi-stakeholder platforms. • Demonstrated expertise in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) policy and governance. • Familiarity with African mineral governance frameworks such as the Africa Mining Vision and the African Green Minerals Strategy.

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

Competencies • Excellent analytical and research skills • Strong policy drafting and writing ability • Experience in stakeholder consultations and facilitation • Ability to translate technical analysis into policy recommendations

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.