Duties and Responsibilities
BACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It is fully dedicated to the success of small and medium-sized enterprises, connecting markets, improving lives. In Iraq, we build trade-led growth for inclusive prosperity. ITC is a member of the UNCT with offices in Baghdad (UN compound), Erbil and Mosul. About the “Jobs and Entrepreneurship Opportunities to Build Sustainable Inclusive Development (JOBS)” project: ITC is implementing the JOBS project that runs from 2025 to 2029. This project, funded by the European Union, aims to contribute to sustainable development by addressing key issues such as unemployment, limited economic diversification and weak governance. The project’s specific goal is to enhance economic inclusion and access to decent employment, particularly by strengthening the competitiveness of MSMEs in priority sectors, while also supporting youth, women, displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups. The Project focuses on: • Expected result 1: Improved business environment to support inclusive private sector growth and durable solutions for vulnerable populations and displaced persons in Iraq • Expected result 2: Bolstered bid for Iraq’s WTO membership to be used as a catalyst for trade and investment policy and regulatory reforms that foster economic diversification • Expected result 3: Strengthened competitiveness of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) • Expected result 4: Enhanced self-reliance and durable solutions for displaced populations and other vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of ITC’s designated JOBS ER 2 Lead , and in close coordination with the ITC HQ (technical supervision) and Iraq based team, the selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks: Coordination, liaison and national ownership • Serve as national liaison for ER1 and ER2, supporting partnerships-building activities with relevant stakeholders, including national focal points at line ministries, the private sector, and development partners. • Support national ownership by assisting with the management of relationships, convening regular coordination meetings, documenting agreements, and facilitating counterpart engagement in design and delivery. Country intelligence & synergies • Provide inputs and updates on Iraq’s trade developments, trade policy (and legislations) and the business climate; identify opportunities/risks and synergies with ITC technical teams and other initiatives. • Contribute to the preparation of concept notes and technical designs that translate intelligence into implementable activities under ER1/ER2. Planning, missions & stakeholder events • Contributes to the preparation of detailed monthly/quarterly workplans, mission plans and stakeholder engagement calendars for ER1/ER2; monitor progress and resolve bottlenecks early. • Participate in field missions, provide guidance to ITC staff/consultants/counterparts, support the planning and logistics of the event and draft concise mission notes and follow-up matrices. • Provide substantive support to consultative meetings/conferences: propose agenda topics, identify participants, and prepare documents and presentations. Technical delivery – ER1 (trade and investment strategy & enabling environment) • Support the coordination of ER1 activities and deliverables (e.g., national, sectoral and cross-sector strategies, MSME/local roadmaps, private-sector engagement, implementation management support), ensuring alignment with project objectives. • Assist in Identifying regulatory/administrative bottlenecks affecting MSMEs and propose time-bound, practical actions with responsible institutions to be integrated in strategies/roadmaps. • Draft/quality-assure ER1 outputs (reports, concept notes, policy briefs, analytical papers) and support preparation of events/workshops linked to ER1, including technical material (presentations, agendas). • Facilitate stakeholder consultations and consensus-building to ensure national ownership. Advocate for institutional buy-in throughout design, endorsement, and implementation of strategies and roadmaps, ensuring government leadership. Technical delivery — ER2 (WTO accession & policy/regulatory reform) • Coordinate preparation, consolidation and finalisation of ER2 outputs (e.g., accession-related documentation, legislative reviews, capacity building sessions etc.) • Assist in maintaining continuous relationship with members of the National Committee on WTO Accession to ensure the momentum of the accession process • Support capacity-building activities for policymakers and stakeholders (briefings, clinics, tailored trainings) and assist in organizing awareness/consensus building on ER2 topics. • Support the maintenance of the ER2 Monitoring and Evaluation database based on the activities/events undertaken under ER2 Quality assurance, timelines & standards • Ensure all ER1/ER2 outputs are on time, on budget and to quality, aligned with project objectives and technical guidance. • Assist in reviewing technical drafts for clarity, feasibility, and policy relevance; ensure recommendations include responsibilities, timelines and resources. Reporting, monitoring & knowledge management • Maintain up-to-date, well-organized records of ER1/ER2 activities and documents (workplans, minutes, deliverables, attendance, evidence) in line with the needs of the ER leads and project requirements • Support the preparation of regular implementation updates for Project Management Unit, national counterparts and partners; contribute inputs to quarterly updates and annual reports. • Assist in populating and validating data for the project’s monitoring & results framework, coordinate information collection with counterparts and service providers. Risk management, safeguards & visibility • Support the identification of implementation risks (e.g., policy delays, coordination gaps) and propose/implement mitigation measures. • Support the mainstreaming of do-no-harm, conflict sensitivity, gender and youth inclusion, and climate-responsible practices across activities, specifically in the context of ER1 • Ensure compliance with ITC/EU visibility and communications requirements in all ER1/ER2 events and materials. Team coordination & communication • Maintain close, routine coordination with the Project Manager and technical teams; brief and support national/international staff and external consultants engaged on ER1/ER2. • Undertake outreach activities, participates in the design and facilitation of trainings and seminars; present on assigned topics to stakeholders and partners. Governance & committees • Prepare inputs and materials for Project Steering Committee (PSC) and technical working groups; present concise progress, risks, decisions required, and next steps. • Other duties: Perform additional related tasks as reasonably required to achieve ER1/ER2 results. Copyright : The personnel has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/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. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required.
Qualifications/special skills
EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, international trade, business administration, development studies, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of two (2) years (four (4) with first level university degree) of relevant experience in trade-related technical assistance, project or programme coordination and implementation, business administration or related area. Experience working on delivering trade-related technical assistance in Iraq desirable. Experience in working with government and/or private sector counterparts desirable COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: Understanding of trade policy, and private sector development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Understanding of Iraq’s policy and legislative framework. Familiarity with WTO rules, accession processes, and trade-related regulatory frameworks is desirable. Knowledge of the UN system and procedures or experience of EU-related projects would be an asset. Knowledge on issues regarding international trade, market access and competitiveness, particularly as they relate to trade policy in Iraq is desirable. 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. Knowledge of the UN system, rules and procedures specific to fragile settings desirable. 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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.
