Introduction

Trade for Jobs Uganda is planned to be a five-year initiative (2025–2030) co-led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Using a market systems approach, the project leverages trade as a driver for decent job creation and income generation for women and men living in poverty in Uganda, by strengthening two high-potential sectors: dairy and tourism.

The project will build toward national objectives and priorities on developing the production, productivity and value addition of both sectors, as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) IV (2025/26-2029/30).

It intends to do this for the project beneficiaries – women and men living in poverty, through:

• Strengthening regional and global trade of dairy products and tourism services, with a focus on micro enterprises and SMEs
• Supporting private sector development for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including through value addition, diversification, enhancing competitiveness, and improving the business environment
• Engaging with Swedish companies to leverage their expertise, services, products and private investment potential

The project will adopt a market systems approach, as it is an approach that focuses on delivering long-term sustainable impact at scale. The approach is analysis-focused, partner driven, and driven by evidence-based adaptation.

What makes the approach for Trade for Jobs Uganda different is its unique focus on trade as a lever for decent job creation. While many development initiatives address employment or enterprise development in isolation, this project combines the ILO’s expertise in promoting decent work using a market systems approach with ITC’s deep experience in strengthening trade and MSME competitiveness. Together, the two organizations bring a market systems lens to unlock trade-driven growth that delivers not just more jobs - but better, more secure and inclusive employment opportunities.

The project starts with an extended 18-month inception phase that includes project and team set-up, stakeholder and donor coordination, further analyses and initial piloting. It is highly probable that Trade for Jobs will continue for an additional 42-month implementation phase.

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of all aspects of the project, including its operational, financial, administrative and human resource management, resource mobilization, country and sub-regional operations, the content of training manuals and information materials, and public statements. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas and fundamental principles and rights at work.

Reporting lines:

The CTA will report to the Director of the ILO Country Office for United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda (CO Dar-es-Salaam). The CTA will receive technical guidance from the Senior Specialist for Sustainable Enterprises in DWT Pretoria and receive technical support and advice from the broader DWT. Furthermore, the CTA will benefit from technical support and guidance from the specialised market systems development team (Systems Change Initiative) in the MSME branch (ENTEPRISES department) in Geneva, as well as the ITC SME Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness section.

He/She will also oversee the work of international and national officers, and any international and local consultants and service providers hired during the course of the project.

Description of Duties

Project management:

• Ensure effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project in the dairy and tourism sector, in conformity with ILO and ITC policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, the countries’ Decent Work Programme, and administrative and financial procedures, in consultation with the responsible units/field offices.
• During the inception phase, collaborate with Sida to develop the project logical framework and the output-based budget for the implementation phase (to be presented to the Project Steering Committee) and other deliverables as detailed in the project document.
• Take the lead in developing a learning culture in the project team. This would include guidance and support for the establishment of an MRM system based on the DCED standard, while being appropriate to the scale and nature of the project and ensuring its full integration into project management and implementation. This also includes leading regular internal project reviews and promoting adaptive management within the team based on lessons from implementation.
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc reports and case studies on the status of the programme and its results, including for international forums.
• Effectively manage funds/budget and human resources of the project including recruitment, performance review, and staff capacity development.

Technical leadership and advice:

• Provide authoritative technical advice to project stakeholders in the various technical areas related to the project, particularly in the field of sustainable enterprise development and market systems development in the two sectors. Mobilise expertise as needed.
• Support development of the project staff’s capacity to apply an MSD approach to the project through training and continuous coaching, by working closely with the Systems Change Initiative in Geneva. Support development of the project staff’s capacity to promote trade with support from the deputy team leader and the ITC Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Section.
• Provide leadership in, and oversee the mainstreaming of gender in the project, ensuring gender perspectives and attention to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment are central to all the activities during both the inception and implementation phases.
• Guide and support the development, implementation and assessment of pilot interventions to address the key sectoral constraints and the scaling up of those interventions that are successful. This will require developing strong partnerships with the private and public sector.
• Guide and provide technical support to development of all planned outputs.

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Governance, networking, partnership, advocacy:

• Establish project governance structures, including the Project Steering Committee in consultation with the Programming Unit.
• Closely collaborate and coordinate the project work with Government and the regional organised business, labour, and trade bodies representing employers and workers in Uganda, ILO, ITC, and Sida.
• Develop and maintain relationships and coordinate with donors and projects with similar mandates and objectives, including with a view to promote ILO and ITC values and the objectives and approach of the project, and identify opportunities for scaling-up project achievements.
• Support development and implementation of an effective communication and knowledge sharing strategy and plan for relevant national and international audiences.
• Represent the Office at project meetings, seminars, and evaluations.
• Promote ILO policies and values in technical areas related to the project, in collaboration with specialists.

Mobilization of resources:

• Promote relationships with multi-lateral and bilateral donor community and oversee and monitor resource mobilization proposals in coordination with the responsible country office.
• Perform any other duties requested by the responsible chief.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, management, international development, social science or a related field with demonstrated knowledge in market systems development and approaches to enhance Decent Work. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned fields with an additional two years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• At least ten years of experience, including at the international level, in the management of technical cooperation activities. This includes field experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects, specifically in market systems development or private sector development.
• Proven management experience, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.
• Considerable experience in market systems development projects.
• Experience in working with the dairy and tourism sectors, especially in Uganda, is an advantage.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder activities with the public and private sector.
• Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures particularly of technical cooperation projects would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English (written and spoken)

Competencies

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standard.
• Ability to develop clear strategies and interventions consistent with the project's objectives.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the project, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Ability to adapt/change project activities as needed in order to best reach the project's overall objective most effectively.
• Openness to and ability to make changes to accommodate culture and gender differences in order to interact effectively with individuals.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individual's skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of current or future job/role responsibilities.
• Develop self-awareness and show empathy by demonstrating the qualities, traits, or attributes that contribute to the ability to effectively relate to and identify with others.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation problems and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.