Result of Service

The outputs of this assignment consist of the following: a) Draft a document which analyzes the benefits and challenges for adopting a protocol on mutual recognition of paperless solutions for non-preferential Certificate of origin (NPCO) among the selected CPTA parties under study. The structure of the document is shown in Annex 2. Delivery date: 15 October 2026 b) Present the findings at 1) at least one expert group meeting; 2) at least one national consultation meeting. The meetings should be agreed by the ESCAP secretariat in charge of the project. Delivery date: 15 November 2026 c) Refine the document prepared under a) based on consultation outcome of b) Delivery date: 15 December 2026 The performance of the consultant will be evaluated based on the timeliness of work delivery, the extent to which the requirements of the ToR have been met, and the substantive/technical quality of the outputs. Copyrights over all outputs are owned by the United Nations. The United Nations reserves its exclusive right at its sole discretion to alter, publish or use any part of the outputs under this contract in any respect. The United Nations shall have no obligation to inform or consider the needs of the contractor in connection therewith. The contractor should inform and request explicit permission for any use of the outputs under the project, in particular during the project delivery and before it has been published and disseminated publicly by the United Nations. Dissemination under another organization's name is not permitted unless permission is granted in writing. Failure to follow this requirement may result in non-payment to the contractor. Annex 1. Please see the separate document Annex 2. Draft structure of report Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter sets the scene for discussion. It introduces the main purpose of the work. Chapter 2: National practice on NPCOs Purpose This chapters aims to understand how NPCOs have been issued and recognized by the selecting countries Activities

Investigate the current practices of issuing NPCOs – electronic and/or paper - in the country (mainly for export).
Assess legal/regulatory recognition of electronic and Paper NPCOs in the country (mainly for import)
Review the current practices on how NPCOs have been exchanged either, by paper format or electronically, between the stakeholders such as exporters, importers, agencies, government agencies from the country that a consultant is assigned to study and selected CPTA parties. Chapter 3: benefits and challenges for adopting a protocol on mutual recognition of NPCOs Purpose identify the potential benefits and costs/challenges associated with adopting a protocol on the mutual recognition of NPCOs Activities
The consultant needs to thoroughly understand the protocol, including any Annexes in the protocol. In this connection, the consultant needs to attend any meeting relating to discussion of this protocol organized by the ESCAP secretariat.
Building upon a thorough understanding of the protocol, the consultant will assess the institutional, legal, and administrative reforms that may be required for a country to implement and comply with the protocol.
The consultation will provide recommendations on how the countries may then adopt such a protocol, including short term, medium term and long term actions.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

4/9-30/12 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

The Trade, Investment and Innovation Division (TIID) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is implementing a project entitled “Accelerating Actions on Cross-Border Paperless Trade for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific”. The project intends to strengthen the capacity of ESCAP developing member States in implementing cross-border paperless trade for sustainable development and towards the achievement of SDG 17, in particular SDG Target 17.11 and related indicators and support the implementation of the UN treaty, the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA). Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Trade Policy and Facilitation Section and direct supervision of the staff in charge of CPTA, the consultant is required to conduct an analysis of benefits and challenges for adopting a possible protocol (as shown in Annex 1) on mutual recognition of paperless solutions for non-preferential Certificate of origin between the country that the consultant is assigned to study and the other selected CPTA parties under study.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s or higher degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, and/or related fields. A minimum 5-year work experience in the area of trade policy/facilitation/e-commerce/paperless trade is required. Relevant experience in implementing trade facilitation project(s) preferred.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

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.

Non-preferential certificates of origin under the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA)