Individual Consultant: Production of the 2023 Africa’s Development Dynamics Report (Multiple Positions)

Job Description

Background

The Africa’s Development Dynamics Report is the Annual Flagship Economic Report of the African Union Commission, produced with the support from the OECD Development Centre. It plays an imperative role in furthering the project to fast track the continental integration agenda and the socioeconomic transformation of Africa. The theme of the Fifth Edition is: “Shaping Africa’s new investment landscape to boost the recovery and strengthen regional value chains” (working title). The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled every economy across the globe. It also offers a huge opportunity for the African continent to build a strong and resilient economy to withstand future shocks. The African continent can – and must – become an engine of growth for a sustainable global recovery, notably through more fluid and more structured regional value chains to enable the continent conquer its domestic markets and position itself more firmly to innovate and compete globally. The development of regional value chains (RVCs)and complementarities with a favourable investment landscape is a key catalyst for sustainable recovery (see the a background information) and can provide new competitive advantages for Africa to scale up its integration into Global Value Chains (GVCs). Scaling up investment will be essential to creating millions of jobs needed to build post-pandemic resilience and achieve Africa’s development potential. A renewed investment strategy for Africa is needed to boost the recovery and build resilience through stronger regional value chains and more and better quality jobs for Africa’s youth.

Purpose and objectives

The objective of the new report is to illuminate this path in the context of globalisation. By analysing the economic development of Africa using an African analytic grid, it will contribute to the definition and implementation of innovative policies that are adapted to the specific characteristics of each economy and that further the African Union’s priorities. Each year, the report will address a strategic theme for the realisation of Agenda 2063, specifying its vision at the national, regional and continental levels. The theme for this 2023 edition is “Shaping Africa’s new investment landscape to boost the recovery and strengthen regional value chains” (working title). The principal aim of this report is to deepen the policy debate on how African policymakers, at national, regional and continental levels, can strengthen economic recovery and resilience through RVCs and GVCs.

The report will seek to analyze Africa’s new investment landscape through the following regional chapters:

• Public policies for Southern Africa’s renewed investment landscape
• Public policies for Central Africa’s renewed investment landscape
• Public policies for East Africa’s renewed investment landscape
• Public policies for North Africa’s renewed investment landscape
• Public policies for West Africa’s renewed investment landscape

Qualification and Skills

• The expert must hold a PhD in Economics, Statistics, Finance and Banking or any related fields with at least fifteen (15) years’ experience in economic research and development issues in Africa;
• Have at least fifteen (15 years’ experience in analysis, design, implementation and management of economic policies, preferably in national, regional, continental or international institutions, and experience in economic research, particularly in investment, productivity, industrialisation, structural transformation and private sector development issues;
• Have a strong research orientation and publication track record in highly regarded journals on economic and development issues;
• Strong analytical skills and be able to merge fundamental theoretical knowledge with practical relevance;
• Excellent presentation skills, both oral and written;
• Be proficient in the use of Word, Excel and Power Point;
• Be competent in quantitative economics and econometrics.
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Knowledge of one or more of the other working languages would be an added advantage.

Duration

The consulting assignment has a Five Months duration. The contract is renewable based on performance, the selected theme of the next edition and subject to availability of funds.

Duty Station

The Consultants will be based in their respective countries and travel to Addis Ababa or other locations, as necessary, to present their work.

Proposal must be delivered in a written form to the address below not later than 15:00 hours local time, 27th June 2022.