Result of Service

Output 1 — by the end of September 2026

Workplan outlining agreed priorities and institutional focal points.
Overview of priority WTO accession documents and outstanding actions.
Progress report, including relevant meeting records and supporting documents. Output 2 — by the end of October 2026
Compilation of legislation, regulations and other documents relevant to the Legislative Action Plan.
Summary of consultations with relevant institutions and identified follow-up actions.
Progress report and supporting documents. Output 3 — by the end of November 2026
Coordination and liaison with ITC headquarters to support the drafting of priority WTO accession documents, including replies to Members’ questions, questionnaires and other technical materials.
Updated overview of outstanding institutional inputs and follow-up actions.
Progress report and supporting documents. Output 4 — by the end of December 2026
Contributions to reviewing or updating the Legislative Action Plan and identifying priority legal reforms.
Brief summary of consultations, outstanding issues and recommended next steps.
Progress report and supporting documents. Output 5 — by the end of January 2027
Follow-up coordination with ITC headquarters and relevant Somali institutions to advance the drafting, review and completion of the technical documents identified under Output 3.
Summary of relevant coordination with Somali institutions, ITC and development partners.
Progress report and supporting documents. Output 6 — by the end of February 2027
Briefing materials, agendas, meeting records or technical inputs supporting accession-related consultations, missions or meetings.
Updated summary of priority accession workstreams and pending actions.
Progress report and supporting documents. Output 7 — by the end of March 2027
Consolidated overview of technical assistance provided and accession documents supported during the assignment.
Handover note identifying outstanding priorities, institutional responsibilities and recommended follow-up.
Final progress report and supporting documents. All activities should be completed/delivered by 31 March 2027.

Work Location

home-based (Mogadishu, Somalia)

Expected duration

ASAP to 31.03.2027

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, supporting sustainable and inclusive trade development in developing countries. The Making Trade Happen (MTH) project funded with UK International Development from the UK government, builds on the achievements of the UK Trade Partnerships (UKTP) and SheTrades Commonwealth+ (STC+) programmes to strengthen the long-term capacity of trade institutions and SMEs. By embedding technical expertise within national trade support organisations, facilitating commercial partnerships, and helping exporters navigate evolving market requirements, the MTH project aims to transform preferential market access into tangible trade opportunities, institutional resilience and lasting sustainable economic growth. Within the framework of the MTH project, ITC is providing technical assistance to support Somalia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This support is designed to respond to priorities identified by Somalia and to strengthen the capacity of the Somali WTO accession team and relevant government institutions to lead, coordinate and advance the accession process. Somalia applied for WTO membership in 2015, and its Working Party was established in 2016. Following the first Working Party Meeting, Somalia is advancing the technical and institutional work required for the next stage of the accession process. This includes preparing and updating accession documentation, responding to questions from Working Party Members, completing relevant questionnaires and checklists, developing initial market access offers, advancing the Legislative Action Plan and related legal reforms, strengthening national coordination and preparing for bilateral and multilateral engagement, including future Working Party meetings. WTO accession is a complex and government-wide process requiring sustained coordination among and between the Chief Negotiator, the Somali accession team, line ministries, regulators, government agencies, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders. It also requires regular engagement with the WTO Secretariat and coordination with development partners providing accession-related support. ITC works closely with the WTO Secretariat’s Accessions Division and other development partners to promote technical consistency, appropriate sequencing and complementarity of support, while avoiding duplication. At the same time, ITC’s technical assistance is intended to respond to Somalia’s priorities, strengthen national ownership and support the Somali accession team in effectively managing the accession process. To support these objectives, ITC is looking to recruit a National Consultant (Consultant) who will be embedded in the Office of the Chief Negotiator and provide day-to-day coordination, technical, analytical and organizational support to Somalia’s WTO accession process. 1. Objective of the assignment The objective of the consultancy is to provide reliable, responsive and high-quality in-country coordination, technical and analytical support to the Chief Negotiator and to Somalia’s WTO accession team. The Consultant will support the planning, coordination and follow-up of priority accession workstreams; facilitate engagement with relevant Somali institutions; contribute to the preparation and updating of accession-related documentation; and serve as the principal day-to-day liaison between the Office of the Chief Negotiator and the ITC project team. The Consultant’s work may cover the different technical and institutional dimensions of Somalia’s accession, focusing on the Legislative Action Plan and related reforms but including responses to questions from WTO Members, questionnaires and checklists, market access work, technical consultations, stakeholder coordination and preparations for bilateral and multilateral meetings. 2. Institutional positioning and working arrangements The Consultant will be embedded in the Office of the Chief Negotiator and will function as an integral part of the Chief Negotiator’s support team. Under the leadership and substantive guidance of the Chief Negotiator, the Consultant will perform their tasks and duties and will remain readily available to support the Chief Negotiator and the Somali accession team in the performance of their accession-related responsibilities. The Consultant must note that in addition to their duties and responsibilities detailed below, given the nature of the WTO accessions process, their work will remain demand-driven and responsive to the needs identified by the Somali Chief Negotiator as Somalia’s accession process evolves. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Under the leadership from the Somali Chief Negotiator and substantive guidance from the Somali Chief Negotiator and the ITC Programme Officer, the National Consultant will undertake the tasks listed below. The Consultant will be required to work closely with other staff and consultants working on the MTH project, including those working in ITC headquarters. a. Embedded coordination and general support: Under the guidance of the Chief Negotiator, and in close coordination with the Somali accessions team, the Consultant will:

Provide responsive day-to-day technical, analytical, organizational and administrative assistance in relation to Somalia’s WTO accession.
Support coordination among the technical working groups and institutions identified by the Chief Negotiator as relevant to Somalia’s WTO accession.
Prepare briefing notes, agendas, speaking points, meeting records, official correspondence, presentations and other working documents requested by the Chief Negotiator.
Maintain regular contact with designated focal points in line ministries, regulators, government agencies and other relevant institutions, in accordance with the Chief Negotiator’s instructions. b. Technical and analytical support to the accession process: Based on the technical priorities identified by the Chief Negotiator, the Consultant will:
Support the preparation, consolidation and quality review of Somalia’s replies to questions submitted by WTO Members.
Support the completion, review and updating of WTO questionnaires and checklists identified as priorities by the Chief Negotiator.
Support the Chief Negotiator and relevant Somali institutions in reviewing, updating and following up on the Legislative Action Plan as a government-owned and evolving accession document.
Compile and organize laws, regulations, policy documents, institutional mandates and previous legal or regulatory assessments relevant to the Legislative Action Plan and other accession workstreams prioritized by the Chief Negotiator.
Support consultations with ministries, regulators, government agencies and legal experts designated by the Chief Negotiator to verify the state of play, identify legal and institutional gaps and obtain technically sound inputs.
Support coordination and information gathering relating to Somalia’s regional trade commitments where these are relevant to the accession priorities identified by the Chief Negotiator, including commitments arising from Somalia’s membership of the East African Community. c. Liaison and stakeholder coordination: The Consultant will:
Serve as the principal operational liaison between the Office of the Chief Negotiator, and the ITC project team.
Communicate the Chief Negotiator’s priorities, requests and feedback to ITC and ensure timely follow-up.
Ensure a timely two-way flow of agreed information, requests, feedback and documentation between the Somali accession team and ITC.
Support ITC’s technical coordination with the WTO Secretariat’s Accessions Division on matters authorized by the Chief Negotiator.
Coordinate with other development partners when requested by the Chief Negotiator and agreed with the ITC Programme Officer.
Support the Chief Negotiator and ITC in maintaining an overview of the technical assistance being provided by different partners in connection with Somalia’s WTO accession. d. Support to meetings, missions and capacity-building activities: The Consultant will support meetings, missions, consultations and capacity-building activities identified or approved by the Chief Negotiator, including:
Supporting the preparation and servicing of bilateral and multilateral meetings, technical missions, stakeholder consultations and future Working Party meetings.
Preparing meeting agendas, briefing packages, background notes, presentations, participant lists and other relevant materials requested by the Chief Negotiator.
Preparing accurate records of meetings, including agreed action points, responsible institutions and follow-up deadlines, for the review or validation of the Chief Negotiator.
Supporting the organization and delivery of workshops, consultations and capacity-building activities prioritized by the Chief Negotiator and agreed with ITC.
Assisting in identifying specific capacity-building needs arising from the accession process and communicating these needs to the Chief Negotiator and ITC.
Supporting the organization and implementation of ITC missions to Somalia and other locations relevant to the accession process, based on priorities agreed with the Chief Negotiator. e. Other ad-hoc, on demand technical assistance and coordination requests: Undertake other WTO accession-related tasks requested by the Chief Negotiator and agreed with the ITC Programme Officer. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree—Master’s degree or equivalent—in law, international trade, international law, economics, public policy, international relations, governance or another closely related field.

A first-level university degree combined with additional qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
At least two years of progressively responsible professional experience in international trade policy, trade law, economic governance, public administration or a related area.
Direct experience supporting a WTO accession, trade negotiation or comparable whole-of-government reform process.
Experience working with ITC, the WTO, another United Nations entity or an international development programme.
Experience supporting technical assistance and capacity-building activities for government officials.
Experience working with government institutions and coordinating inputs across ministries, regulators or government agencies.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively under the leadership of senior government officials and to respond appropriately to evolving institutional priorities.
Ability to work effectively in a politically and institutionally sensitive environment. Skills:
Demonstrated knowledge of WTO accession procedures and documentation, including Working Party processes, questions and replies, questionnaires and checklists, market access work and legislative reform planning.
Demonstrated ability to conduct legal, policy and institutional research and synthesize complex information.
Demonstrated ability to prepare accurate, clear and high-quality official or analytical documents in English.

Languages

Excellent written and spoken English and Somali are required.

Advanced knowledge of written and spoken Arabic is highly desirable.

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.

National Consultant – WTO Accession Legal and Technical Support (Somalia)