Enhancing Digital and Financial Capacity of Women-Owned SMEs (National Consultant for Mauritania)
Organizational Context
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Subregional Office for North Africa (SRO-NA) in Rabat, supports member states in economic diversification, regional integration, and digital transformation. This role supports the DA-18 project "Enhancing the digital capacity of women-owned micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa," focusing on strengthening W-SME capabilities and policy design for inclusive digital trade.
Job Purpose
This role serves to enhance the digital and financial capabilities of women-owned SMEs (W-SMEs) in Mauritania and strengthen policymakers' capacity to design inclusive digital trade policies aligned with AfCFTA objectives. The consultant will contribute to understanding barriers affecting W-SMEs, developing actionable policy recommendations, and strengthening institutional capacity for digital financing solutions. The ultimate goal is to create an enabling environment for W-SMEs to improve productivity, access digital markets, and participate more effectively in regional value chains, ensuring inclusive and sustainable benefits from the AfCFTA.
Responsibilities
The National Consultant will support the implementation of the "Enhancing the digital capacity of women-owned micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa" project at the country level. Key duties include conducting a comprehensive assessment of digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting W-SMEs, developing country-specific diagnostics, policy instruments, and stakeholder consultations. This involves preparing a Country Module on the Institutional and Regulatory Ecosystem for Digital Trade and Digital Finance, and a policy paper with actionable recommendations for policymakers. The consultant will also support the organization and delivery of a National Stakeholders Workshop, contributing to the development of an enabling environment for W-SMEs to access digital markets and improve their participation in regional trade.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic analysis, trade policy, SME development, or digital economy policy is required. Proven experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering workshops is necessary. Experience in policy analysis, particularly in digital trade and fintech, and knowledge of AfCFTA processes are desirable. Experience with government institutions or international organizations is also beneficial.
Skills
Policy analysis, digital trade, fintech, AfCFTA processes, stakeholder consultation, workshop facilitation, economic analysis, trade policy, SME development, digital economy policy, gender equality integration, disability inclusion.