Result of Service
Output 1: Support planning and execution of training events. Manage communication with SMEs and BSOs, collect feedback forms, and update the M&E logframes based on evaluations – End November 2025 Output 2: Continue to build on the Social media strategy for the project in Sri Lanka in line with ITC's overall communication strategy. Regular feeding of the retained media (e.g. WhatsApp groups, Facebook, linkedIn pages) and continued with feeding project news – End December 2025 Output 3: Completed data collection for 2025 verified and entered into the GTEX M&E system and quarterly report - Mid-January 2026 Output 4: Contribution to annual progress report, including all details of beneficiaries at enterprise and BSO level - Mid-February 2026 Output 5: Coordination of Circularity Training Workshops: Coordinate circularity training workshops in Sri Lanka with the Global Textile Academy and SMETA team – Mid March 2026 Output 6: Monthly and quarterly reports on the work undertaken by the GTEX project in Sri Lanka and the results achieved - by Mid-April 2026 Output 7: Short but concise report on the research undertaken on waste mapping and recycling in the T&C sector in Sri Lanka – Mid May 2026 Output 8: Support to Beneficiary and BSO project engagement: Coordinate with consultants, SMEs, designers and BSOs by facilitating workshops, meetings, and events, ensuring coherence of project delivery and effective stakeholder collaboration – Mid June 2026 Output 9: Submit monthly and a second quarterly report – Mid July 2026
Duties and Responsibilities
Phase II of the GTEX/MENATEX programme helps the four MENA countries of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia as well as Sri Lanka to stay on top of emerging market requirements for the textiles and clothing (T&C) sector by moving towards greener practices and being able to adhere to strict forthcoming EU regulations for T&C products sold in Europe. Being a key sector for exports and employment in all five countries, the project will ensure that employment is retained and new higher value-added decent jobs are being created through the exports of quality, socially and environmentally-conscious products. The project will also contribute to the required systemic change of the T&C industry towards more environmental sustainability, circularity and digitalization. Phase 1 of GTEX/MENATEX increased the competitiveness of the T&C sector in the MENA region plus Central Asia along the value chain in a broad manner addressing all aspects of production and trade. Phase 2 builds on the achievements of the first phase, consolidates them where required, while narrowing down on the most important competitiveness factors of environmental and social sustainability, circularity and digitalization. The programme will seek to be transformational, addressing the twin transition of environmental sustainability and digitalization as well as the expected radical shift in demand in Western markets towards “green” quality products with lower volumes of fast fashion. This will be done by working at the enterprise, institutional as well as policy levels. A regional component targeting MENA countries as well as a Global component will ensure regional and global linkages as well as knowledge creation that can be shared with a wider audience beyond the project. In line with these requirements that are expected to have far reaching implications last seen during the quota phase out in 2005, the overall expected impact of the programme is to contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction through sustainable trade and decent job creation along the T&C value chain. Increased exports of quality products will lead to retention of employment in the T&C sector and creation of additional higher value-added jobs, including in supporting sectors such as environmental technology and recycling. Through economic growth and employment creation, the programme will have a direct and indirect impact on reducing poverty in the countries concerned. The direct impact refers to job retention and creation, including for vulnerable groups as well as increase in skills of employees and managers and promotion opportunities. Indirect impact refers to economic growth and increased productivity for higher wages, as well as improved labour conditions and environmental performances that benefit workers and surrounding communities. The programme will also contribute to structural change beyond employment creation and poverty reduction. It contributes to the required systemic change of the T&C industry towards more environmental sustainability and inclusiveness. This includes adopting important climate actions as well as resource efficiency and circularity improvements at sector level. To achieve this, the programme will pursue two outcome objectives: One related to the enterprise level and one to the level of the sector ecosystem, including important changes at Business Support Organization (BSO) and policy level, namely: • Increased competitiveness of T&C enterprises through sustainable trade • More effective ecosystem able to direct the T&C sector towards systemic change, addressing sustainability and circularity. The programme started with an inception phase of 6 months during which partners and beneficiaries were selected as well as additional research and analysis undertaken. This analysis refers to the role of the T&C sector in the countries concerned on a) job creation and poverty reduction, b) women empowerment, c) reducing climate change, and d) the conflict neutrality of supporting the T&C in its widest sense. In Sri Lanka, the GTEX MENATEX project operates with a dual focus on enhancing the textile and clothing (T&C) sector at both the enterprise and Business Support Organization (BSO) levels. This initiative, funded by the Swiss governments, is aimed at boosting export competitiveness and sustainability in the T&C industry, supporting Sustainable Development Goals related to economic growth, responsible production, innovation, and gender equality. At the enterprise level, the program targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve their competitiveness in global markets. Key activities include collecting baseline data to inform strategy, providing training, and implementing compliance monitoring within factories to align with global standards. This work also prioritizes the transitions of digitalization and environmental sustainability, addressing shifts in international demand for “green” and sustainable products. Through these efforts, enterprises are equipped to adapt to new regulatory requirements, particularly those emerging from the EU and US markets focused on circularity and eco-friendly production. At the BSO level, the project strengthens the institutional support system to create a more robust business environment for the T&C sector. BSOs are involved in policy enhancement and improving sectorwide practices to make the industry more resilient and aligned with global trends. The program also emphasizes effective communication and knowledge-sharing to ensure that BSOs can lead and support sustainable industry practices. By building local capacities, the GTEX MENATEX project in Sri Lanka empowers both enterprises and BSOs to drive lasting economic and social impact, advancing the sector’s competitiveness in a sustainable, inclusive manner. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager of the GTEX/MENATEX programme and in close collaboration with the GTEX/MENATEX National Project Coordinator in Sri Lanka. The consultant will perform the following duties as mentioned below: 1. Baseline Data Collection and Analysis: Following the establishment of a comprehensive baseline for 2023 and updates for 2024, collect and verify data from beneficiary SMEs and BSOs for 2025. Input verified data into the GTEX Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system to inform and guide project activities for 2026 and 2027. 2. Data Gathering, Implementation Support and Progress Reporting: Compile results data from beneficiary companies and BSOs to track progress and outcomes of implemented activities. Constantly gathering and managing information of the SMEs and consultants report and updating accordingly. Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports, gathering relevant information from beneficiaries to ensure accurate tracking of project milestones. 3. M&E System Updates: Regularly update the GTEX M&E system with new data collected from enterprise and BSO beneficiaries, including from newly on-boarded companies. Conduct proactive outreach for end-of-year reporting, capturing and documenting necessary information for comprehensive project insights. 4. Regular reporting: Base on quantitative and qualitative data collected, support the NPC in monthly, quarterly and annual reporting on results. Identify success stories and highlight these stories in the reporting and under separate project communications. 5. Training and Capacity Building Events: Support the planning and organization of training events in 2024 and 2025 to improve the capacity of SMEs and BSOs, focusing on digitalization, sustainability, circularity and compliance with international standards as well as marketing and branding for enterprises and designers. 6. Communications and Outreach: Develop and manage content for offline and online platforms, including calls for expression of interest, social media posts, newsletters, and web stories. Assist in promoting GTEX success stories, increasing project visibility, and highlighting key achievements in sustainability and competitiveness within the T&C sector in Sri Lanka. 7. Research on T&C Industry Innovations: Conduct research on critical topics such as circularity, sustainability, recycling, and innovation within the T&C sector to ensure alignment with global trends and emerging regulations. Identify Sri Lankan technology providers and start-ups that offer solutions on circularity and environmental sustainability applicable to the T&C sector in Sri Lanka. Map their offerings in detail and identify areas of collaboration and possible technical assistance to allow the application of their solutions for the T&C industry. Research also refers to potential target markets for the project, their access requirements, tariff structures as compared to competitors, etc. 8. Circular Economy Training Programs: Help NPC in training projects that promote circular economy practices, such as textile recycling, upcycling, or sustainable sourcing within the Sri Lankan T&C sector. Collaborate with industry leaders to create case studies from these programmes, sharing successes and challenges to promote wider adoption of circular economy practices. 9. Administrative tasks to support project implementation: Support the NPC in the organization of all local and international project activities, incl. Expression of Interest, workshop content and venue planning, local and international travel, national consultants, etc. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. 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.
Qualifications/special skills
• Undergraduate degree (BA/BSc or other) Business Administration, Economics, International relations or other related Social Sciences. • Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. At least 3 years of experience in supporting project management, research and/or office management, including data management. Skills: • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with T&C management as well as workers ● Strong analytical skills • Ease and ability to connect easily with people from different cultures and backgrounds, • Good communication and presentation skills • Ability to develop and conduct consultations; • Working with minimum supervision, competence and integrity • Availability, commitment and flexibility • Strong writing skills expressing complex issues in easy language
