About ITC
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, focusing in particular on developing the export capabilities of small and medium-sized businesses in developing and transition economies. ITC is 100% “Aid for Trade”, supporting trade that delivers inclusive and sustainable development results. ITC’s mandate covers all developing countries and transition economies with special emphasis on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDs) Fragile States and Sub-Saharan Africa. ITC Headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. ITC projects and programmes contribute to the global efforts to achieve UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the Aid for Trade agenda. ITC works at three levels:
Strengthening the integration of the business sector of developing countries and economies in transition into the global economy,
Improving the performance of trade and investment support institutions for the benefit of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and enhancing the abilities of trade support institutions to better support them,
Improving the international competitiveness of SMEs.
About the WACP:
The West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACP) implemented by ITC is part of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WESCOMP) formulated under the framework of the European Union (EU) Regional Indicative Programme (RIP) of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), aims to create decent jobs and fight poverty by strengthening the competitiveness of West African countries and enhancing their integration into the regional and international trading system. WESCOMP consists of a regional component for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and country components.
The EU has entrusted ITC with the implementation of the regional component of WACP together with UNIDO. Through direct contracting from the EU to ITC, ITC will implement a total budget of €5,885,000 under the regional programme with the following outputs:
Output 1.3: Regional level – Better regional linkages among selected value chain actors promoted and key regional intermediary organizations supported.
Output 2.2: Regional level – Regional policy and framework to improve industrial competitiveness are harmonized, formulated and monitored.
Specific Objectives:
Improve the performance, growth and contribution to industry, regional trade and exports of selected value chains.
Improve the climate for business at national and regional levels.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions
Efficient and coordinated implementation of project activities with maximum regional ownership
Leads the delivery of project activities and identifies modalities and partnerships required to achieve project targets.
Provides support and quality inputs into risk management, monitoring and evaluation systems for the project
Ensures integration and cooperation with other agencies implementing (WESCOMP) in West Africa; coordinates and monitors joint activities with other partners.
Ensures efficient information flow between project stakeholders
Timely selection of beneficiaries for various project activities
Timely reporting to the ITC Headquarters in Geneva
Function / Expected Results: Coordination of project activities
Coordinate project activities and events, ensuring coherence and synergies during project implementation;
Manage relationships with counterparts and ensure ownership of project initiatives by the different stakeholders and beneficiaries in the region;
Maintain regular communication with other initiatives and agencies on the ground, ensure good information sharing; liaise with the ECOWAS Commission, relevant government departments, ministries and private sector institutions to obtain support for project implementation at the regional level;
Provide input for project progress reports;
Provide coordination support to project expert missions, donor missions and evaluators;
Together with the Project Manager Organize project steering committee meetings, prepare meeting agendas and other documents required for the review of the committee;
Ensure project visibility, efficient communication and outreach at the regional level and at national levels, including representation of the project at regional events, ensuring communication with the press where required;
Identify risks to project implementation and propose mitigation actions;
Keep abreast with developments in the region and identify synergies and opportunities with other projects and initiatives;
Together with the Project Manager, guide other project staff in performing relevant duties.
Function/Expected Results: Technical guidance
Identify new opportunities and work areas for the project across priority value chains and related to skills development;
Review and assess proposals submitted by project partners in view of relevance and effectiveness for the project;
Provide ongoing advisory on the ground to complement technical assistance/ training provided by ITC experts during technical missions;
Identify linkages and ensure synergies across project activities and implementing partners;
In close collaboration with local counterparts, the project manager and ITC technical experts, provide technical inputs and advice for the development of work plans;
Participate in technical working groups created and supported by the project;
Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Project Manager in support of efficient implementation of the project.
Impact of Results
Achievement of delivery targets and results as outlined in the project work plans
Effective regional capacity building of regional stakeholders and beneficiaries by the project
Strengthened partnerships with regional stakeholders and expanded partnership with relevant government agencies and private sectors
Good communication and positive image of the project in the ECOWAS region
Competencies
ITC’S VALUES are:
Integrity,
Professionalism,
Respect for Diversity
ITC’S CORE COMPETENCIES are:
Communication,
Teamwork,
Planning & Organizing,
Accountability,
Creativity,
Client Orientation,
Commitment to continuous learning,
Technological awareness.
ITC’S MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES are:
Vision,
Leadership,
Empowering Others,
Managing Performance,
Building Trust, and
Judgment/Decision making.
For further information on competency based interview please visit: www.intracen.org.
Functional Competencies:
Proven excellent project management and coordination skills
Ability to coordinate a team of experts
Excellent interpersonal and advocacy skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and respects diversity
Proven ability to lead and work collaboratively in teams, with colleagues and encourage sharing of knowledge to achieve organizational goals
Strong problem solving and analytical skills
Ability to identify priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required
Ability to work with accuracy under time constraints and pressure in a stressful environment; with patience, tactfulness, maintain confidentiality, take initiative and exercise good judgment
Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines
Technical Competencies:
Demonstrated knowledge of challenges to value chains and private sector development in the ECOWAS region
Very good understanding of public and private skills development institutions and trade support institutions in the ECOWAS region and their mandates
Good understanding of the private sector needs and expectations in the ECOWAS region
Extensive experience in working with government and private sector counterparts
Extensive experience in implementation of large development programmes
Very good result-based management skills
Excellent drafting and communication skills
Computer literacy
Work experience at both the regional and the intergovernmental level is required. This experience should involve project management and support to programme management, fundraising, research and drafting of reports, design and coordination of technical assistance and capacity building projects, representation at international fora, and organization and implementation of training workshops for governments and other stakeholder groups.
Skills of quantitative and policy analysis is desirable.
Required Skills and Experience
Education and Work experience:
Master Degree or equivalent in international trade, Business Administration, Development Studies or related field;
With Minimum of 5 years experience in the field of technical assistance;
Including some experience in project management, administration or related field
or
A Bachelor’s degree in international trade, Business Administration, Development Studies or related field With 7years experience in the field of technical assistance
Including some experience in project management, administration or related field
Language Requirements:
Advanced English with excellent written and oral communication skills is essential;
Knowledge of local languages is a plus;
Required knowledge and skills;
Demonstrated knowledge of challenges to trade development in the ECOWAS region;
Very good understanding of public institutions in the ECOWAS region and their mandates as well as of private sector needs and expectations;
Very good understanding of project result-based management and coordination;
Proven leadership, advocacy and management skills and ability to operate in multi-stakeholder contexts;
A track-record of successfully implementing projects;
Excellent drafting and communication skills;
Desirable knowledge and skills;
Knowledge of the UN system and procedures and/or experience of EU-related projects would be an asset.
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
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