Advancing Inclusive Regional Value Chains under the AfCFTA

Host entity: UNDP

Areas of expertise: Knowledge management, research, reporting, Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Finance, accounting

Application deadline: 06/11/2026

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a continuous spectrum of in-depth local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights. Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

Assignment context

The UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), based in Addis Ababa, supports 46 Country Offices in sub-Saharan Africa and is UNDP's principal interface with the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and continental institutions. Within RSCA, the Inclusive Growth and Extractives Team (IGET) contributes to the “Prosperity for All” objective of the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029 by supporting structural transformation and economic resilience, notably through AfCFTA-aligned Regional Value Chains and SME participation, with a particular focus on youth and women's economic empowerment.

Africa's structural transformation hinges on building competitive, integrated and inclusive regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Online Volunteers will provide analytical, programmatic and knowledge support to IGET, contributing to the development of analytical tools and knowledge products, including a Regional Value Chains Toolkit aimed at strengthening SME participation, upgrading informal enterprises and linking local production systems to regional markets. Their contribution will support progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and inclusive economic transformation and resilience across Africa.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Advisor on AfCFTA / Project Manager, Three (3) Online Volunteers will support the Inclusive Growth and Extractives Team in advancing inclusive regional value chains and AfCFTA implementation. Their responsibilities will include:

• Contribute to the development of a Regional Value Chains Toolkit aligned with AfCFTA implementation priorities.
• Conduct analytical research on SME participation, informality upgrading and gender-responsive value chain integration, financial inclusion
• Support stakeholder consultations with RECs, Member States, and private sector actors.
• Draft technical notes and knowledge products on inclusive regional production systems and market integration.
• Any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Programme Manager.

The assignment will be undertaken remotely over a 3 months period. Through this assignment, volunteers will contribute to research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement and knowledge development supporting regional economic integration and inclusive economic transformation in Africa.

Skills and experience

• Candidates must be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (master's or higher) OR have recently graduated with a first university degree (bachelor's or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies or a related Social Science discipline

• Work experience is not required, but some relevant experience, especially in international development, is an asset. Candidates should understand, and ideally previous research on, issues related to international development such as SME participation, trade policy, financial inclusion and development. Proficiency in MS Office is required, and knowledge of the UN system is an asset.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.