Programme Officer (Fibres, Textiles and Cotton), DECI/SEC (FT-LTD)

This position is located in the International Trade Centre’s Section on Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness within the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions (DECI). The Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness (SEC) Section helps developing country MSMEs address the challenges around sustainable value-chain development, catalysing sector-wide transformation, and improving market linkages – including using new digital channels. The Fibres, Textiles and Clothing (FTC) programme improves the international competitiveness of the fibres, textiles and clothing as well as leather sector in developing countries. Working along the value chain, special emphasis is given on how the sector can improve its competitiveness, while addressing important development aspects such as women’s empowerment, youth employment and contributing to reducing climate change. FTC emphasizes the business case for addressing these overarching challenges while helping companies as well as the T&C sector in selected countries to meet ever increasing market requirements. The programme builds capacity of SMEs to take over additional functions along the value chain at production, pre- and post-production stages. In addition to the work with SMEs directly, the programme supports the institutional ecosystem around the sector to improve support services creating a holistic approach to the sector. As part of this approach, the FTC programme puts special emphasis on south-south cooperation as an effective tool to improve performance, link stakeholders across the value chain and to tap into new markets. The Fibres, Textiles and Clothing team at the International Trade Centre (ITC) encourages small businesses to grow through sustainable practices. By providing training, coaching and research, ITC drives competitiveness while ensuring social and environmental responsibility. FTC focuses on clothing manufacturing, a labour-intensive industry found in many developing countries. We support small businesses to move from simple cut-and-sew operations to complete package offerings, giving them a better foothold in the global apparel market. On textile FTC works on environmental sustainability and lean manufacturing. The FTC flagship programme is the Global Textile and Clothing (GTEX) programme that enhances the export competitiveness of the T&C in selected countries. Other projects include cotton in Africa (Zambia and Tanzania) and cashmere in Nepal, as well as leather in East Africa. The goal of this job function is to support the management and implementation of project activities related to the textiles and clothing and the wider light manufacturing sector. This includes supporting MSMEs with knowledge and coaching, including through developing new tools and methodologies on how to help them understand market trends and to develop their pre-and postproduction services to make their businesses more competitive and become preferred suppliers of international brands and retailers.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, Fibres, Textiles and Clothing and the general supervision of the Director, DECI, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned Fibres, Textiles and Clothing programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks 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 on the FTC and leather sectors as well as manufacturing sectors in general. • 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. • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • 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.) • Supervises national project staff recruited under projects (National Project Coordinators), national and international consultants and co-supervises HQ-based G staff supporting the FTC programme • Performs other duties as required.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of trade policy aspects critical to the Fibres, Textiles, and Clothing (FTC) sector, including rules of origin and international supply chain competitiveness. Knowledge in product development and sustainability drivers, specifically regarding social and environmental standards for the fashion industry. Knowledge on circularity and traceability solutions tailored to the textiles and clothing (T&C) and leather sectors. 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. • 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. • 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. • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as textile/manufacturing-related engineering. A first-level university degree in the above subjects in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Qualification in project management is desirable.

A minimum of five years (seven years with a first level degree) of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. A minimum of three years of relevant experience in the fibre, textiles and clothing or leather sector is desirable. A minimum of three years of experience in working on projects related to fibres or textiles or clothing or light manufacturing sector in developing countries is desirable. A minimum of three years of experience experience working with brands/retailers in sourcing from developing countries is desirable. Experience working on projects on environmental sustainability in the FTC sector is desirable. Experience working on projects related to supply chain due diligence in the FTC or light manufacturing sector is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English

and

Spanish are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Spanish

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

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

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 candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) for project-related needs only that may be extended, subject to funding, up to four years. At the completion of the project funding of the position, the external candidate selected holding a FTA-limited will be separated upon expiration of appointment in accordance with staff rule 9.4. ITC staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA-limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. 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 RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

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.

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.