International Consultant – Political Economy and Regional Integration

Job Description

Result of Service

Enhanced capacity of IGAD and its Member States to apply a political economy approach to regional integration, resulting in improved analytical understanding, strengthened stakeholder engagement, and concrete policy‑relevant outputs that support inclusive political and economic integration, conflict prevention, and sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa, in line with the objectives and results framework of the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund (UNPDF) project.

Work Location

Ethiopia – with periodic travel to select HoA countries

Expected duration

90 days (spread out)

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND:

The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA) was established in 2018 and is mandated to promote peace and conflict prevention in the region, working closely with IGAD under the UN-IGAD cooperation framework signed in Djibouti on 17 November 2015, and other regional organizations. Its core responsibilities include carrying out good offices role and special assignments on behalf of the Secretary General as required. The Office is tasked with implementing the Secretary General’s vision of prevention in the region through collaboration with UN and non-UN partners working on peace, security, governance, socio-economic development, and regional integration, as well as advancing action on climate, peace, and security. It also promotes a joined-up approach by facilitating coordination, information exchange, and initiatives related to Women, Peace and Security, Youth, Peace and Security, Climate, Peace and Security, and efforts to counter hate speech and disinformation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, OSESG-Horn of Africa, the consultant will undertake the following results-based, advisory functions, consistent with ST/AI/2013/4 (Section 2(a) and Section 3):

• Provide specialized analytical and technical advice on political economy dynamics affecting regional integration, governance, peacebuilding and conflict prevention in the IGAD region, in line with the project’s objectives and results framework.

• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of project activities, including capacity‑building courses, workshops, policy dialogues, forums and online exchanges, ensuring consistency with approved project plans.

• Develop and review analytical and policy‑oriented outputs, including background papers, policy briefs, concept notes, presentations and summary reports, to support evidence‑based regional dialogue and decision‑making.

• Support the establishment and facilitation of a Community of Practice, including stakeholder mapping, engagement of experts and practitioners, and documentation of lessons learned and good practices related to political economy and regional integration.

• Draft regional integration framework or strategy, drawing on consultations, capacity‑building activities and stakeholder feedback, and aligned with IGAD priorities and regional commitments.

• Support stakeholder engagement and coordination efforts, including interaction with IGAD Member States, IGAD Secretariat, civil society, academia, and relevant partners, ensuring inclusivity and sensitivity to regional and political contexts.

• Contribute to monitoring implementation progress, including preparation of concise progress notes and analytical inputs that capture achievements, challenges, risks and lessons learned.

• Ensure timely delivery of agreed outputs, in accordance with established timelines and quality standards, and submit all deliverables in the formats specified by the supervising officer.

• Perform any other related tasks within the scope of the assignment, as requested by the supervisor and consistent with the advisory nature of the consultancy.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced degree in Political Science, Economics, International Relations, Development or related field is required. A PhD in any of the above fields is an added advantage.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience working in regional integration, intergovernmental cooperation, political dialogue, economic policy harmonization, governance, and peacebuilding.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience providing analytical or advisory support on political economy, regional integration, governance, peacebuilding or conflict prevention in regional or multi‑country contexts is required.

• Proven experience drafting high‑quality analytical papers, policy briefs, reports, strategy documents and learning materials and curriculum for international organizations, regional bodies, or government counterparts is required.

• Experience supporting or implementing capacity‑building activities, such as trainings, workshops, forums or knowledge‑exchange initiatives, involving diverse stakeholders is desirable.

• Experience working with intergovernmental organizations, regional economic communities, or multilateral institutions in a policy, advisory, or technical capacity is desirable

• Strong understanding of IGAD’s mandate, regional frameworks and IGAD regional dynamics and political economy approaches is an advantage.

• Ability to translate complex political and economic concepts into actionable recommendations is desirable.

• Ability to use digital tools for regional coordination, remote consultations, data analysis and visualisation is an advantage.

Languages

• Proficiency in English (spoken and written). Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

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.