Project Team Leader (IICA 3)

The goal of this job function is to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of the project.

Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

One year, with possibility of extension

BACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It is the only multilateral agency fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization of SMEs. ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable growth and development through trade and international business development. ITC projects and programmes contribute to the global efforts to achieve UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the Aid for Trade agenda. ITC Headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. (website: www.intracen.org) ITC is currently seeking for a Project Team Leader for the new “Lao PDR Building Opportunities for Sustainable Trade” project (BOOST) implemented by ITC and funded by the European Union (EU). The BOOST project (Building Opportunities for Sustainable Trade) is one component of the Lao PDR – EU Assistance for Private Sector & Trade (LEAP) programme. The overall objective (impact) of LEAP is to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth in Lao PDR through private-sector led growth, while fostering EU-Lao PDR economic partnership. The specific objective (outcome) of BOOST is to increase trade between the EU and Lao PDR while attracting more EU investment, including a focus on aligning production and business practices with EU environmental and sustainability standards, promoting eco-friendly supply chains, and ensuring compliance with due diligence frameworks. The three expected outputs of BOOST are: Output 1: Strengthened public-private sector coordination to increase export and investment opportunities Output 2: Companies capacitated to meet EU and international standards and regulations for exports Output 3: Gaps to implement international trade regulations addressed (ASEAN and EU). The Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP) of ITC is responsible for the overall management of the project. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) is the main project counterpart. The project will also work with several key business-support organisations, such as the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The position is located within the project office, set up within the premises of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The function will involve travel within Lao PDR and possibly within the region or beyond. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the general guidance of the Chief of OAP and the direct supervision of the Project Manager of OAP, both based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Project Team Leader will ensure effective coordination and balanced implementation across Outputs 1, 2, and 3, working closely with ITC headquarters, implementing partners and national counterparts Leadership, work planning and results based management: • Contribute to strategic direction for the implementation of the BOOST project in Lao PDR, ensuring alignment with the project’s logical framework, EU and ITC priorities, and relevant national policies and strategies. • Oversee the preparation and periodic revision of annual and quarterly work plans and budgets, in close collaboration with ITC HQ, project staff, Expertise France and other LEAP implementing partners, ensuring clear allocation of responsibilities across Outputs 1, 2 and 3. • Contribute to the design and maintenance of a robust results based management (RBM) approach, including clear baselines and targets, and integrate these into work plans. • Supervise systematic collection, validation and analysis of data on project activities, outputs and results; contribute to analyzing the monitoring information for adaptive management and continuous improvement. • Coordinate timely, progress and results reports (narrative and indicator updates) for ITC internal purposes and for submission to the EU Delegation and other stakeholders, in line with contractual requirements. • Identify risks and bottlenecks to project delivery (including contextual, operational, fiduciary and reputational risks), maintain an updated risk register, and propose and follow up on mitigation measures in consultation with ITC HQ and project partners. Partner and Client Relationship Management and Project Outreach: • Serve as a focal point for communication and coordination with MoIC, the EU Delegation, and other project partners; engage tactfully, develop partnerships and manage relationships with the Government of Lao PDR, relevant bodies and all project partners and beneficiaries, maintaining constant liaison, information sharing and communication, obtaining support for project implementation, ensuring commitment, ownership and sustainability. • Hold regular meetings with the Government of Lao PDR and the EU Delegation as relevant, to review progress, address challenges and agree on next steps and priorities; provide regular briefings to other key partners, as relevant, on progress, challenges and risk mitigation; support joint monitoring visits and reviews • Facilitate interactions, exchanges and cooperation among project stakeholders, including between the public and private sectors, business support organizations, civil society and development partners, to maximize synergies and avoid duplication. • Represent the project in Lao PDR and, where required, in the ASEAN region; deliver presentations and interventions at events and meetings and ensure clear and consistent communication of BOOST objectives, activities and results. • Identify and manage linkages and synergies with other programmes and initiatives in Lao PDR and in the ASEAN region, including those funded by the EU and implemented by ITC and other development partners, and support coordination of joint or complementary activities. • Coordinate and manage relationships with focal points and contact persons for activities under Outputs 1, 2 and 3 to obtain support for project implementation; ensure regular contacts and dialogue with partners in the public and private sectors to ease and facilitate smooth implementation of activities. • Liaise proactively with other development partners active in the field of trade and investment in Lao PDR to ensure complementarity, avoid overlap and promote joint or mutually reinforcing actions. Capacity building and technical content: • Coordinate the technical assistance activities under Outputs 1, 2 and 3, working closely with ITC technical experts and national counterparts to define activity content and methodology (e.g. studies, trainings, workshops, tools) and ensure technical quality; provide inputs to concept notes and related documentation • Act as a technical expert for Output 3; provide technical support to the roll-out of Output 3 activities, including defining activity content with ITC technical experts, identifying and mobilizing partners and beneficiaries, organizing preparatory and follow-up meetings and consultations, presenting activity content, objectives and expected results to stakeholders, moderating technical meetings. • Provide advisory support and guidance for capacity building, ensuring needs-driven interventions, skills transfer and exchange of best practices; provide specialized technical inputs to the project team and national stakeholders. • Keep abreast of regulatory and policy developments relevant to Output 3 in Lao PDR and the ASEAN region and ensure that project activities remain up to date and evidence based. • Coordinate closely with ITC HQ technical specialists to ensure consistency with ITC methodologies and alignment with relevant regional and global initiatives. Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Reporting: • Oversee work planning, ensure timely delivery of outputs and results; maintain overall coordination and oversight of project activities, ensuring coherence, efficiency, and alignment with the project’s objectives. • Identify risks to project implementation and propose mitigation actions for consideration by ITC HQ and project partners. • Manage the ITC project office in Vientiane and organize regular team meetings, provide guidance for the work of project staff, attend and contribute to project management meetings led by the Project Manager and involving the whole project team. • Ensure effective coordination and synergies between Output 3 activities and the implementation of activities under Output 1 and Output 2 of the project, including through joint planning, information sharing and, where appropriate, joint activities. Support for Project Governance: • Organize the meetings of project governance bodies, including Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings and Project Monitoring Group meetings and other meetings as relevant (incl. planning the meetings with project partners, devising meeting contents, preparing agendas and notice of meetings, preparing and undertaking presentations, supervising the drafting of minutes and tracking decisions and action points). • Follow up on the adoption and implementation of recommendations and inputs provided by governance bodies, in liaison with the ITC HQ project team, and reflect agreed decisions in updated work plans, risk registers and resource allocations. Environmental, social, gender and due diligence responsibilities: • Ensure that environmental sustainability, climate considerations and alignment with EU environmental and sustainability standards are systematically integrated into the design and implementation of project activities. • Contribute to promotion of social inclusion, human rights due diligence and decent work principles in all project interventions, with particular attention to SMEs, farmers, workers and communities at risk of exclusion. • Supervise the mainstreaming of gender equality throughout the project cycle, including gender responsive analysis, design, implementation and monitoring, and promote equal participation and benefit for women and men in project activities. • Support partners and beneficiaries to understand and apply relevant EU and international environmental, social and human rights due diligence requirements in their operations. • 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.

EDUCATION: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in International Trade, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in result-based project/programme management, administration or related area is required. At least three (3) years in a team leader or equivalent leadership role with responsibility for supervising staff and coordinating complex project delivery. Experience in trade-related technical assistance, business support or related field is required. Experience working with UN, EU and/or other development agencies is desirable. Experience of implementing European Union (EU) projects is desirable. Experience in Lao PDR and/or the ASEAN region is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of international trade topics, trade policy and facilitation, digital trade, sustainable value chains, inclusive trade in Lao PDR. Knowledge of economic regional integration in ASEAN, incl. of the region’s institutional and private sector level challenges for effective participation in trade. Solid understanding of trade-related technical assistance environment and related initiatives, results-based management or coordination of development projects. Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to value chain development. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. 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.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Lao is desirable.

This position is subject to final project approval. This contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNOPS. Applicants must be authorized to work in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.