Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located within the ITC Office of Africa (OA) under the Division of Country Programmes (DCP). OA/DCP is leading the work of ITC in Africa. The Programme for Employment Support through Private Sector and Industry Development – in French: Programme d’Appui à l’Emploi par le Développement du Secteur Privé et à l’Industrie - (TRANSFORM), funded by the European Union (EU), is a four-year project aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Guinean “gazelle” enterprises in the sustainable processing of agricultural and fishery products. The programme also includes initiatives to optimize supply chains and places special emphasis on improving access to financing. A team of professionals and support staff has been established to implement the TRANSFORM programme. The team is led by a Programme Officer based in Conakry, Guinea, directly supported by two national technical experts and an administrative and financial assistant based at the Conakry Office. A Programme Coordinator based at ITC headquarters in Geneva will ensure coordination between the local office, ITC technical experts, support functions (legal, financial, procurement, communication, human resources), and will finalize the programme's final reports.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator in the Office for Africa, Division of Country Programmes in Geneva, and the overall supervision of the Chief, Office for Africa, Division of Country Programmes at ITC, the Programme Officer will be responsible for providing both managerial and technical expertise to ensure the effective implementation and coordination of all TRANSFORM activities. Specific responsibilities include: • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned activities of the Programme; monitors economic and political developments in Guinea and the sub-region to ensure project adaptation and analyzes programme development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and risks to project implementation to be addressed and initiates mitigation measures with the Programme coordinator in Geneva; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. • Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change. • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources. • Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. • Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Supports the organization and coordination of annual meetings of the Steering Committee and Technical Committee meetings. • Helps coordinate with partners in Guinea to ensure the programme is visible and aligned with government priorities. Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • In collaboration with ITC experts, undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • In collaboration with the monitoring and evaluation expert, develop and maintain an updated central database that consolidates key information on all beneficiaries while capturing results aligned with the commitments defined in the logframe • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of regional trade integration issues, value chain support, trade policy and facilitation, trade finance and investment, quality and standard issues. Knowledge of EU financial management rules. Familiarity with UN system management tools and processes. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience coordinating and managing large-scale programmes in a French-speaking sub-Saharan African country is desirable. Experience working with African development partners is desirable. Experience engaging with senior government officials, policymakers, and civil society in Western Africa is desirable. Experience in supporting private sector development through assistance to agricultural value chains is desirable. Experience with projects funded by the EU is desirable. Experience engaging with governmental bodies, public sector entities, and financial institutions in Guinea is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The conditions of service are governed by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.This is a fixed term appointment for an initial period of one (1) year. The incumbent will be ITC personnel administered through UNDP 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. ITC also offers attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work/life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to hrs-jobs@intracen.org. Applications from women and nationalities from developing and least developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. For information on salary and entitlements, please consult the International Civil Service Commission website: http://icsc.un.org THE USE OF AI AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS IS PROHIBITED AND ITS USE MAY BE RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

United Nations Considerations

In accordance with the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with ITC if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, Inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on "Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side of the Inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances, and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in Inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised in Inspira will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

ITC does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ITC are fraudulent and should be disregarded.