Result of Service

The individual contractor will be responsible for the following deliverables throughout the contract period:

• Background documentation, analytical inputs, and briefing notes in support of meetings of the High-Level Panel on the Freedom of Transit, expert group meetings as may be required on a rolling basis throughout the contract period.
• Secretarial and substantive support to the meetings of the High-level Panel on Freedom of Transit, the Secretariat Task Force established to support the High-level Panel and experts’ group.
• Secretarial and substantive support to relevant ambassadorial level, experts’ group and other level meetings on freedom of transit
• Reports of the meetings of the High-level Panel, Secretariat Task Force, Experts Group meetings, and other related meetings.
• Draft report of the High-level Panel on Freedom of Transit with recommendations to Member States.

Work Location

Hybrid

Expected duration

8 – 8.5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The individual contractor will work under the overall supervision of the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. He/she will carry out the following tasks:

• Provide substantive support to the work of the High-level Panel on the Freedom of Transit, including analytical inputs, background documentation, and follow-up actions.
• Organize and service the meetings of the High-level Panel on Freedom of Transit.
• Conduct and coordinate policy research and analysis on freedom of transit issues relevant to LLDCs, including customs and border procedures, transport and transit infrastructure, digital trade facilitation, and regional transit agreements.
• Prepare high quality written outputs, including background papers, policy briefs, analytical notes, and substantive contributions to reports and studies related to LLDC transit and trade facilitation priorities.
• Support the preparation and servicing of expert group meetings and other consultations, including by developing meeting agenda, identification of participants, preparation of documentation, and synthesis of outcomes.
• Organize the meetings of the Secretariat Task Force including preparing background documents for discussion by the Task Force.
• Provide technical advice on the integration of cross cutting issues, including gender equality and sustainability considerations, into freedom of transit related policies, programmes, and analytical work.
• Contribute to outreach, advocacy, and knowledge sharing activities, as required.
• Undertake other related tasks as may be required by UN-OHRLLS within the scope of the consultancy.
• Perform ad-hoc duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (masters degree or equivalent) in economics, law, international trade or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in international trade law, trade facilitation, transport policy development, or regional economic integration of which at least five years at the multilateral/international level working withUN agencies, regional economic communities, or international financial institutions is required. Experience in trade-transit-transport policy development, including work on customs modernization, border management, or regional transport corridor development, stakeholder coordination involving government officials, private sector entities, and international organizations in trade facilitation or transport sector development is desirable. Experience on international legal instruments related to freedom of transit, international trade law, including WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, transit rights under GATT Article V, and regional trade agreements is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

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.