Duties and Responsibilities
BACKGROUND: The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme is a major initiative aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the European Union (EU). Funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this four-year program aims to improve market access for specific value chains and increase the export competitiveness of SMEs in these sectors. It also seeks to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance with quality standards, and promote added value and export diversification. By prioritizing women- and youth-led businesses, ATCMA aims to promote economic inclusion and encourage sustainable business practices. The umbrella programme is structured around two intervention levels: 1) the Continental Component and 2) Sub-regional Components in five RECs: COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC. The current opening pertains to the COMESA sub-regional component of the ATCMA umbrella programme. The COMESA ATCMA programme is thematically structured into five components, leading to 5 outputs as follows: In relation to Specific Objective 1: Output 1.1: Market access barriers identified and reduced Output 1.2: Strengthened quality compliance and standards Output 1.3: Value-chain revision mechanism facilitated In relation to Specific Objective 2: Output 2.1: Enhanced value addition and diversification Output 2.2: Enhanced SME capacities and opportunities for business and export ITC is responsible for the implementation of output 1.1, 1.3 and 2.2. and UNIDO is in charge of implementing outputs 1.2 and 2.1. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Office for Africa, the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Country Programmes, and in close collaboration with the Programme Officer at ITC HQ and UNIDO Regional Programme Manager, the Senior Technical Lead (Regional Integration) will be responsible for providing technical expertise to ensure the effective implementation and coordination of all ATCMA COMESA regional activities. Specific responsibilities include: • Develops, implements and evaluates the ATCMA COMESA programme and assigns projects to ensure the achievement of general and specific objectives, as outlined in the programme’s contractual documents. This includes monitoring and analyzing programme and project development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties; ensuring appropriate follow-up. • Ensures coordination and sequencing among programme activities across different programme Outputs. • Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, action plan the client will use to manage the change. • Liaises and engages with relevant stakeholders in the region, including national governments, the COMESA Commission, EU Delegation, and designated national Focal Points, to provide technical inputs on trade and market access-related topics, ensuring alignment with regional priorities while supporting strong programme ownership and visibility. • Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources. • Informs and coordinates trade policy and trade facilitation reforms and development, including the review and analysis of trade and market access-related issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. • Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provides substantive technical backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc., supports the organisation and coordination of annual meetings of the Regional Steering Committee and regional Technical Committee meetings. • Initiates and coordinates technical outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes expert presentations on relevant trade and market access topics. • Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Supports activities related to budget 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. • Performs other duties as required. 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 business administration, management, economics or a related field such as development, international relations, international trade, or international trade law. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of seven years (nine with a first level degree) of progressively responsible experience in technical advisory roles, project or programme management, administration, or related area is required Experience in supporting and coordinating technical components of regional trade programmes, with a focus on market access barriers, non-tariff measures, trade facilitation, policy reforms is desirable. Experience working with development partners in West Africa is desirable. Experience working with public/governmental and private sector institutions and officials in COMESA member states is desirable. Experience with programmes funded by the EU is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: Extensive knowledge of trade-related policy instruments of the COMESA and its member states. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Good understanding of the regional trade integration process in COMESA and Africa. Knowledge of regional trade integration issues, non-tariff barriers (NTBs), sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade (TBT), rules of origin, customs procedures, and other regulatory or policy-related impediments to market access. Knowledge of EU financial management rules is considered an asset. Familiarity with UN system management tools and processes. Ability to identify issues, analyse 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. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear or repercussion. Manages in a deliberate and predictable way. Operates with transparency, has no hidden agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to others. Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
