UNCTAD Hiring National IC Consultant to Support Tunisia’s E-Commerce Strategy

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has announced a consultancy opportunity for a National Individual Consultant (National IC) to support the preparation of Tunisia’s E-Commerce Strategy (ECS). This consultancy focuses on enabling inclusive and sustainable development by strengthening the country’s digital economy and e-commerce ecosystem.

The assignment is home-based and spans nearly one year, offering a unique opportunity for national experts with experience in digital economy, ICT policy, and stakeholder coordination to contribute to a nationally significant development initiative.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The primary objective of this consultancy is to support UNCTAD and national authorities in designing a comprehensive E-Commerce Strategy for Tunisia. The strategy aims to help the country harness the potential of e-commerce and digital technologies to promote economic growth, trade competitiveness, and inclusive development.

By supporting evidence-based policymaking and multi-stakeholder engagement, the consultant will play a key role in shaping Tunisia’s digital transformation agenda.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the UNCTAD team, the National IC consultant will be responsible for a wide range of coordination, research, and facilitation tasks, including:

• Collecting and organizing strategic documents and up-to-date statistics related to ICT policies and e-commerce development
• Mapping national public and private sector stakeholders involved in the digital economy
• Supporting logistical coordination for in-country consultations and stakeholder meetings
• Assisting in facilitating and moderating focus-group discussions and online consultations
• Identifying local firms for interviews and field visits during in-country missions
• Following up with stakeholders on outstanding data collection and inputs
• Supporting continuous engagement with the lead ministry throughout the ECS preparation, review, and finalization process
• Assisting in organizing kick-off consultations, validation workshops, and related communication activities
• Supporting the deployment of the eTrade Reform Tracker and facilitating user training sessions

The consultant will also be responsible for documenting meetings, drafting minutes, and reporting progress and key insights to UNCTAD.

Expected Impact and Results

Through this consultancy, the consultant will contribute directly to the development of a nationally owned, evidence-based E-Commerce Strategy that reflects Tunisia’s priorities and capacities. The work will strengthen coordination between government institutions, private sector actors, and development partners, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to digital economy development.

The consultancy will also support institutional capacity-building through stakeholder engagement and the introduction of digital monitoring tools.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must hold an advanced university degree (Master’s level) in ICT, Economics, Statistics, Engineering, Business Administration, Programme Management, or a related field. A minimum of seven years of professional experience in liaising with national public and private sector stakeholders in e-commerce or digital economy sectors is required.

Experience in ICT, e-commerce policy, or trade-related work is considered a strong advantage for this role.

Why This Consultancy Matters

E-commerce and the digital economy are increasingly central to economic resilience and inclusive growth. By supporting Tunisia’s E-Commerce Strategy, this consultancy contributes to policy coherence, digital inclusion, and improved trade opportunities for businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

Professionals with expertise in digital policy, stakeholder coordination, and economic development will find this role both impactful and strategically important.

Conclusion

The UNCTAD National IC consultancy offers an opportunity to contribute to Tunisia’s digital transformation through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and policy support. By helping shape a forward-looking E-Commerce Strategy, the consultant will support inclusive economic growth and strengthen Tunisia’s position in the global digital economy.