Trade and Regional Economic Integration Analyst - UNDP-RBAS/Regional Programme

The project of Strengthening Arab Economic Integration for Sustainable Development sets as objective, provision of technical assistance to the League of Arab States, specifically Economic Sector and relevant organs, and member states of Pan Arab Free Trade Agreement (PAFTA) in working towards a deepened integration, including preparations for the Arab Customs Union. The second important component relates to strengthening            the Arab connectivity among economies in the region with the expectation, these efforts would be translated into more contribution of economic integration for better livelihood of people, more employment opportunity and participation by the private sector. Trade has significant potential to fight poverty in Arab countries through generation of more income and access to markets.

Built on positive effects of the previous program of support, the current project focuses on specific aspects of making trade an engine of inclusive and sustainable growth guided by  the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Project will focus on helping countries and the main sub-regional and regional integration entities to accelerate the pace of trade reforms and regional economic integration, to strengthen the employment effects of those reforms with particular focus on women and youth and to mobilize additional resources for this purpose.

The project aims to address specific challenges and complexities that Arab countries (and League of Arab States) face to enhance regional economic integration, more specifically in the transition from an FTA-based framework towards making the customs union a reality. The following presents major areas of focus:

•  Provide a structured and targeted technical support to LAS Secretariat and Arab negotiators on trade policy formulation and reform under PAFTA.
• Provide assistance to the LAS Secretariat with a view of strengthening its organizational ·         capacity in the pursuit of further facilitation of the regional economic integration agenda as well as promotion of trade liberalization.
• Assist target Arab countries with collaboration with national policy makers in trade and economic fields in efforts of modernization and reform of trade policy in taking into consideration new development.
• Facilitation of transport and trade activities constitutes one of key areas to support national programs of enhancement of national competitiveness and better market access and more integration of the value chain.
• Promotion of gender equality and women empowerment as well as generation of business and job opportunity for youth is also a key target of project activities. Good governance is also a pre-requisite in deepening Arab economic integration. These priority dimensions form a basis of the work program of the project.

• Specifically, the project targets the following result-oriented activities:

  1.    Development of the technical framework and required instruments for the PAFTA Upgrading- as an upgrade from the existing PAFTA, and for the Arab Customs Union (ACU) preparations, to deepen Arab economic integration.

  2.    Reinforcement of mechanisms of policy design, measures of implementation and systems of documenting the progress of implementation to secure smooth acceleration of realization of regional commitments.

  3.    Building the technical capability and capacity of policy makers of Arab countries to support accelerated implementation of the PAFTA Upgrading and preparations for the ACU.

  4.    Introduction of institutional arrangements that are necessary for the LAS to respond to the requirements of implementation of the PAFTA Upgrading, and consequently of designing and establishing the ACU.

  5.    Delivery of awareness raising activities and provision of technical guidance on good governance and integrity approaches.

  6.    Promotion of regulatory transparency, open dialogues and consultations with related stakeholders, targeting all social groups but particularly women in participating to cross border operations and related economic activities, among others.

  The project team will also cooperate with several national authorities and regional organizations in the implementation of defined activities in taking into account requirements and priorities of national socio-economic development plans. The execution will be carried out under rules and regulations by the UN applicable for Delegated Direct Implementation and fully aligned to UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).

  In order to secure a timely and effective delivery of activities with specific targets, the project seeks provision of related services by a Junior Expert in trade and trade-related matters. S/he forms part of the expert team, responsible for the implementation of the project of Strengthening Arab Economic Integration for Sustainable Development, or AEISD during the period of January 2018 to 2020. The Junior Expert discharges her/his duties under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor of the project or CTA AEISD and would be supported by the team of domain experts.

  The supervision by the CTA AEISD includes approvals/acceptance of works completed under the Functions/Key Results Expected listed hereafter. The incubent is required to exhibit his or her full-time commitment to the UNDP-Regional Bureau for Arab States (Regional Programme).

Provides effective support to implementation of the AEISD

• Contribute her/his technical knowledge to the project in its implementation through undertaking  specialized research tasks as directed by the AEISD CTA, including review of substantive literature on trade policy, trade- and customs-related matters in function of defined activities in the Annual Work Plan (i.e,,, cross border operations, modernization of practices of cross border management, and trade policy reform).
• Prepare/contribute to the preparation of background materials and technical analysis for  studies, assessments, technical proposals and identified reports of the Project as determined by the AEISD CTA.
•  Provide technical support to the technical team of UNDP in the project implementation in accordance with specified plans.
•  Coordinate technical interventions by UNDP under the guidance of the AEISD CTA in respective Arab countries, such as Jordan among others. 
• Collect, summarize, tabulate trade and economic information, statistics for in-depth analysis of the technical team of AEISD in mainstreaming trade for development.
• Follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones of defined activities.
• Analysis of the progress, identification of operational and implementation problems, development of solutions to challenges that the region and individual Arab countries encounter.
• Perform other functions as requested by the Chief Technical Advisor of AEISD.

Coordination and administration tasks

•  Undertake the coordination and collaboration between main beneficiaries and project stakeholders with the technical team of AEISD during the implementation of defined activities.
• Support organization of workshops, seminars, meetings and meetings of working groups in function of AEISD implementation.
•  Support the collaboration with research institutions, think tanks in Arab countries.
• Assist with brief translation of documents from Arabic into English and vice versa in support of related works when required.

Client orientation and advocacy for goals of UNDP

• Assist with works of communication and AEISD outreach under the responsibility by UNDP such as preparation of press releases and media materials for public awareness, and/or coordination with the public media for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audience. Included materials for publication in electronic media. 

Identifying and recording stories of individuals and communities and the impact of AEISD activities to Arab countries, including development of video clips or appropriate materials of dissemination of success stories.

Impact and Results 

•  Contribution of technical inputs and analysis for the design and modernization of public policies in Trade and trade-related matters with a view to enhance economic competitiveness in Arab countries at national and regional levels.

Provision of technical advice, preparation of technical documents, training materials and others, required for the success implantation of the project of Strengthening Arab Economic Integration for Sustainable Development in the Arab region. 

Corporate competencies

•   Adherence to the values and stratigies of UNDP;
•  Comnitment to the relization of the Strategic Plan of UNDP Regional Programme for Arab States as part of the strategic plan of UNDP

Functional competencies

• Demonstrating sound and solid knowledge of trade policy, trade- and customs-related matters dealt with trade, investment and facilitation with strategic orientations.
• Having the ability to analyze, coordinate and collaborate with project stakeholders in the delivery of defined actvities.
• Maintaining strong capability of conducting researches in specific assignments to support delivery of project activities, including basic statistics analysis.Commitment to complete works and assignments with the highest professional quality.
• Demonstrating good understanding of gender issues, gender mainstreaming and gender empowerment in developing countries would be an asset.
• Having the ability of providing effective support the project in collecting, analyzing and synthesizing necessary trade related information and data.
• Demonstrating dedicated motivation for results and outputs in the discharge of official function.
• Having strong capability in activity planning and preparation of reports.
• Good understanding of public sector management and reform.
• Ability to make decision within the delegated authorities in a timely manner.

Core competencies

•  Detailed analysis of Trade and trade-related matters concerning trade libarization, regional economic and trade integration.
• Strong capability of assessement of complext Trade and trade-related issues in function of requirement of design and establishment of public trade policies at national and regional levels.
• Capacity of coordination with goivernmental agencies and collaboration with businesses and industries.

Skills

•  Having strong analytical skills in matters related to trade policy, included econometric techniques.
•  Being capable of developing communication materials in realizing communication strategies of the AEISD.
• Being equipped with office administration skills.

Being able to carry out works of interpretation, translation of documents and communication when required.

• A first level university degree (Bachelor) in economics, international trade, socioeconomic science, political studies/economy, international trade laws, international relations or other related field. 
• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in economics, international trade, socioeconomic science, political studies/economy, international trade laws, international relations or other related field is an asset.

• At least five years of professional experience in trade development and its related areas in the Arab Region for First level university degree (Bachelor) holders;
• Substantial work experiences in specialized areas of trade, investment and trade facilitation and liberalization would be an advantage.
• Proven record in conducting trade related research; 
• Experience in project management, preferably in a multilateral organization or international set-up;
• Ability to organize his/her work independently and autonomously with a strong sense of prioritization. 
• Being pro-active in addressing issues and solving problems related to the above duties.
• Familiarity with procedures of the UN and various donor agencies being a strong asset;
• Adequate computer and IT skills.