This internship at the ECA Office for North Africa in Rabat offers a unique opportunity to support research on digital trade and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The intern will conduct background research, compile data, and contribute to a research paper focusing on North African countries. Ideal for students in Economics or International Trade, fluency in French and/or English is required. This position is based in Rabat, Morocco, with potential for remote work, and is offered by the United Nations.

Work Location: This internship is designed to be in person, at the ECA Office for North Africa in Rabat, Morocco, but can be remote or partly remote based on the approval of the supervisor.

Expected duration: 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities: ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission will be guided by ECA's five new strategic directions, which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and trans-boundary challenges, with a focus on peace, security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. The main objective is to contribute to achieving structural transformation and balanced development through implementation of an environment conducive to the creation of employment for women and young people. Its core functions are:

• Strengthening the capacity of member states in the sub-region to design and implement national policies and strategies for sustainable employment creation;
• Contributing to the implementation of sub-regional development priorities in line with the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 with due consideration for youth and gender perspectives;
• Improving macroeconomic and fiscal policies, and to ensure sustainable growth;
• Providing relevant technical assistance to member states and to regional economic communities and intergovernmental organizations in building their capacities to sustain economic, social and political transformation, with a particular focus on employment, skills and balanced development, with the aim of ensuring inclusive growth, taking into consideration access to equal opportunities for women and young people.

Under the overall supervision of the Director of ECA SRO-NA and the direct supervision of the responsible Economic Affairs Officer, the intern will support research and analytical work related to AfCFTA digital trade in North Africa.

The intern will undertake the following tasks:

Research and Analytical Support:

• Conduct background research on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Digital Trade Protocol, including relevant policy frameworks and regional initiatives.
• Compile and synthesize information on the status of protocol adoption, ratification and implementation progress in North African countries.
• Collect and analyze data related to the digital economy in North Africa, including digital infrastructure, e-commerce, digital services, and regulatory frameworks.
• Review national strategies, policy documents and existing studies related to digital trade and digital transformation in the region.

Contribution to a research paper:

• Support drafting sections of the research paper including:
• Introduction and overview of AfCFTA and the Digital Protocol
• State of play of protocol adoption and implementation in North Africa
• Analysis of the digital economy across North African countries
• Opportunities and implications for regional digital trade
• Assist in identifying policy gaps, challenges and emerging opportunities in digital trade in the sub-region.
• Contribute to the formulation of preliminary policy recommendations and priority areas for member States.

Data and Knowledge Management:

• Compile datasets, policy information and indicators relevant to digital trade and regional integration.
• Prepare analytical summaries, tables, graphs and briefing notes to support the research.
• Assist in reviewing literature, reports and publications relevant to the study.

Additional Support:

• Participate in internal meetings, workshops, webinars and consultations related to the research.
• Assist in preparing presentations, briefing notes or summaries related to the paper.
• Perform other research-related tasks as requested by the supervisor.

Expected Outputs / Work Assignments: The intern will contribute to the following deliverables:

1. Background research notes on AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and regional digital trade.
2. Compilation of data and policy information on digital economy developments in North Africa.
3. Analytical inputs and draft sections for the research paper.
4. Comparative overview of protocol adoption, ratification and implementation status across North African countries.
5. Analytical notes on opportunities and implications for regional digital trade.
6. Contributions to preliminary policy recommendations and priority areas for Member States.
7. Supporting materials such as tables, charts, and summaries for inclusion in the final paper.

Qualifications/special skills: To qualify for an internship, the following condition must be met:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in Economics, international trade or related area, or
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent) in Economics, international trade or related area

Internships do not require work experience

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in French and/or English is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Additional Information: Not available.

Intern Specific text: Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee: The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application,