The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) and the African Trade Policy Centre
(ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), jointly with the International Food
Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), are launching a project consisting of the design,
administration, and moderation of two online courses on economic modelling within the framework of
the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): (i) a free online course based on technical resources freely downloadable from internet and (ii) a free supervised online course, for selected African trainees only. All materials will be developed in English and in French (two versions). The course will include
examples and exercises based on questions of interest for African researchers and policymakers, including the study of relevant trade agreements for African countries, within the continent and with the rest of the world. These examples and exercises will, in particular, focus on the AfCFTA.
To support this project, IDEP, ATPC, and IFPRI has opened a call for applications for a ten-month Postdoctoral (Post-Doc) Fellowship. The Post-Doc will oversee uploading of all materials related to the online course on an internet platform and making this platform accessible to registered students. He/She will assist with the supervision of the selected trainees, to help them understand the materials and complete the assignments. He/She will work under the supervision of IDEP Head of Research and Training Division and of project manager from IFPRI. The Post-Doc will also work on a research project in relation to the AfCFTA, based on the use of a Computable General Equilibrium model, under the supervision of IDEP, IFPRI and ATPC with the objective of completing a research paper for the end of 2019. The Post-Doc Fellowship will commence work under the project on March 18th, 2019 and finish on
December 31st, 2019.
Eligible applicants will be researchers from an African country, holding a doctoral degree (PhD) in economics defended in 2018, available starting March 18th, 2019. The position will be held in Dakar, Senegal.
Required skills include:
- Proven work experience in conducting economic modelling, in particular, Partial Equilibrium models and Computable General Equilibrium models;
- Proven work experience in the use of GAMS, Excel, and Word;
- Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, in particular in trade policy and international trade;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams as well as independently;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and/or French.
How to apply? The application must contain the following documents (in PDF format):
1. A letter of support from the PhD supervisor;
2. A short curriculum vitae of the applicant that includes the current or last affiliation;
3. The applicant’s letter of motivation explaining her/his motivation in academic research and in her/his participation in the project.
Submissions that do not fulfill the conditions mentioned in this call or do not contain the necessary appropriate documents will not be considered.
Applications should be sent to Amsatou NDIAYE (Am.NDIAYE@unidep.org) with copy to Senait AFEWORK BEKELE (afeworks@un.org) and Joy FABELA (J.FABELA@CGIAR.ORG) no later than March 03rd, 2019.