– Background and Rationale
In the fight against climate change, the world is transitioning to low-carbon energy generation sources and storage technology, leading to a rise in the global demand for minerals essential for renewable energy technologies, such as electric vehicle batteries and wind turbines. This will require an unprecedented increase in the production of critical minerals of which Africa is a key global source. However, it is imperative that increased mining activity minimizes environmental impact and contributes to creation of new, higher-value and job-creating industries across Africa, fuelling the region’s green economy for the well-being of local communities – a priority of African policy makers. ECA has long prioritized support to member States on the issue of minerals-based development, particularly with a focus on harnessing minerals for economic and structural transformation. ECA has a number of ongoing areas of work including support to value-addition and manufacturing activities that harness the region’s role in the supply of Critical Energy Transition Minerals. In doing so, the commission receives numerous requests from member States to emulate this work across the continent. An intern will be recruited to support these efforts.
– Objectives
The ultimate objective of the work of this intern is to support the work of ECA in ensuring that the raw materials extraction and processing to be undertaken in the ‘green’ minerals boom contributes to the socioeconomic development and transformation of the continent. This will be guided by global and regional frameworks including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Africa Mining Vision, the African Green Minerals Strategy, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and Agenda 2063 of the African Union, amongst others. The objective of the intern will be to assist new and ongoing activities of ECA in support of these frameworks and the region’s aspirations for minerals-based development. The assignment will be undertaken by one intern, over a 3-month period, under the direct supervision of an Economic Affairs Officer and the overall supervision of the Chief of the Natural Resources, Green and Blue Economy Section (NGBES) and. – Activities and Tasks
– In order to support the above areas of work, the intern will undertake the following activities:
1. African Resource Outlook:
• Undertake desk research to map and take stock of databases of mineral and natural resource data
• Undertake analysis of data identified
• Draft summary of existing data and data gaps at regional level
• Conduct research and data analysis on mineral data in one country of focus.
2. Assistance on other ECA mineral work:
• Assist in the organization of the UN Extractives working group, including organizing, attending and rapporteuring meetings; drafting proposals for areas of work for ECA and working group in implementing the work of the Secretary General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals
• Conduct desk research and review of substantive documents and drafts produced by ECA on the issue of mineral-based development
• Assist other ongoing initiatives such as the DRC-Zambia Battery and Electric Value Chain, and International Climate Initiative project on green and inclusive mining and manufacturing in SADC.