International Consultant for the harmonization of inland waterway (IWT) policies in Estern Africa and the formulation IWT strategic Plans for the Northern and Central Corridors at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa: (Deadline 27 May 2025)
Job Description
Result of Service
At the end of the assignment the consultant will have produced the following deliverables: Deliverable1: Reviewed version of the draft sub-regional roadmap for harmonization of inland waterways within multimodal transportation policies in East Africa, with a workplan for completion of the entire assignment Deliverable2: Final sub-regional roadmap for harmonization of inland waterways within multimodal transportation policies in East Africa integrating comments and inputs from ECA, corridors and experts from target countries Deliverable3: Draft IWT strategic plans for Northern and Central corridors Deliverable4: Final IWT strategic plan for Northern and Central corridors integrating comments and inputs from ECA, corridors and experts from target countries
Work Location
Kigali
Expected duration
7 months
Duties and Responsibilities
A)BACKGROUND East Africa’s vast lakes and waterways offer major untapped potential for transport and logistics in the tropics. To support rising demand and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), countries are reviving inland waterway transport (IWT). Historically, lakes, rivers, and canals played a key role in economic growth, but focus shifted to roads and railways, leading to underinvestment in waterways, high transport costs, and negative impacts on trade and tourism. As road networks grow congested, polluted, and unsafe, IWT is regaining attention as a more sustainable alternative. Article 94 of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty urges Partner States to harmonize IWT policies and adopt simplified, unified regulations. While Kenya and Uganda have national IWT policies, key gaps remain—especially around shared waterways, dispute resolution, safety standards, tariffs, financing, marine insurance, and tax regimes. The East African Chief Justices Forum (2021) also stressed the need for regional judicial collaboration and legal harmonization. Coordinated legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks, along with a regional IWT master plan, are essential to enhance trade facilitation and guide national development efforts. Since end of 2024, the Economic Commission for Africa Subregional Office for Eastern Africa has started supporting Member States in Eastern Africa to develop a roadmap for the harmonization of their IWT policies. B)DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Economic Commission for Africa has started supporting Member States to assess the need for IWT policy harmonization and as part of this assignment the Consultant will finalise the sub-regional roadmap for the harmonization of inland waterways within multimodal transportation policies in East Africa 1. Review and update the draft sub-regional roadmap for harmonization based on comments received from ECA, experts, and stakeholders from the Northern and Central corridors. 2. Organize consultation sessions with stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and industry representatives from the target countries. 3. Ensure the roadmap addresses the key gaps identified in policy harmonization, legal frameworks, and regulatory standards for inland waterways. 4. Finalize the roadmap document with a clear action plan, including timelines and responsible stakeholders. 5. Support the Northern and Central Corridors in the formulation of their respective IWT strategic plans
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, engineering, statistics, international trade, or development studies or related area is required. A first level university degree in a combination of additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree. Ten years of experience in the trade and logistics development, trade, and logistics facilitation, policy formulation and economic and trade analysis is required Extensive research experience(data collection, analysis and reporting) in the area of trade and regional integration
Languages
English and French are the working languages of UN Secretariat. For this Consultancy, Fluency in English is required. The Knowledge of French is desirable.
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.
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