Project Operations Manager for Eswatini Programme

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND TIMELINES / RESULT OF SERVICE: The Consultant will submit a monthly report on the progress and completion of project activities for validation, as follows: • Successful implementation of ITC’s Eswatini project measured by meeting project targets set in the project workplan and project indicator • Monthly progress report on activities implemented as per workplan and results achieved • Measurable progress towards building strong partnerships with partners (Government, MSMEs and BSOs) verified through written communications / feedback from partners • Measurable increase in project visibility verified through communication and visibility activities – local media, partners etc.

Home-based, Eswatini

12 months

BACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization for trade-related technical cooperation in developing countries. The Eswatini Government identifies agriculture as one of the main drivers of growth and jobs as stipulated in the Eswatini National Development Strategy and Vision 2022 and developed the Economic Recovery Plan 2020 which identifies the private sector as an engine for economic growth. In collaboration with the Eswatini Government and through funding from the European Union, ITC is supporting the Eswatini Government to achieve its development objectives through the implementation of a Programme comprised of these interconnected programmes, namely: “Support for Job creation and the investment climate (JC & IC); Support to the implementation of the EU-SADC agreement (EPA) and the Livestock programme” and “Eswatini: Skills for Economic and Social Inclusion through Alliances” The programme aims to unlock the key constraints to competitiveness in Eswatini by improving the policy and regulatory framework for private sector development and through the development of selected value chains; and supports the enablement of a public-private platform for improving the country’s national competitiveness. With a major focus on the development of agriculture and agri-business value chains and crafts, the Eswatini programme is designed to achieve two key outcomes: (1) adopting and implementing business-friendly, inclusive, and responsible national policies and legal frameworks, and (2) strengthening productive, processing, promoting, and marketing capabilities of and for targeted value chains. The specific objectives for JC & IC programme are: Specific Objective 1 (SO1): Competitiveness’ of the value chain actors assessed, and capacity of support ecosystem analysed. Specific Objective 2 (SO2): Public Private Alliances convened in selected value chains resulting in improved jobs and growth. Specific Objective 3 (SO3): Capacities of business support institutions and associations enhanced with improved and more inclusive delivery of support services to MSMEs. Specific Objective 4 (SO4): MSMEs, SEs and Producers’ association investment strategies developed. The specific objectives of EPA programme are: Specific Objective 1 (SO1): Strengthen public-private dialogue on ease of doing business and MSME competitiveness. Specific Objective 2 (SO2): Increase value addition, productivity, and competitiveness through responsible producer-buyer alliances. Specific Objective 3 (SO3): Enhance the capacity of trade and investment promotion bodies and/or MSMEs and private sector associations to take advantage of opportunities offered by the SADC-EU EPA. The specific objectives of the Livestock programme are: Specific Objective 1 (SO1): Improved smallholder livestock productivity, with a more inclusive and sustainable management of assets at community/household level Specific Objective 2 (SO2): Inclusive, efficient, and transparent VC actors’ alliances strengthened in the livestock value chain. Specific Objective 3 (SO3): MSMEs/Social Enterprises’ competitiveness and value addition capabilities strengthened in a more sustainable and inclusive manner. The specific objective of the “Eswatini: Skills for Economic and Social Inclusion through Alliances” is: Specific Objective “Empowerment of disadvantaged youth and women in vulnerable situation in order to improve their economic and social inclusion” ITC will implement the following: Output 2.1: Strengthened employability, entrepreneurial and life skills for disadvantaged and vulnerable women and youth specific services aiming at promoting their well-being and their economic and social inclusion. The Programme is overseen by the ITC Division of Sustainable and Inclusive Trade (DSIT) which leads ITC’s work about sustainable and inclusive value chains. The Green & Inclusive Value Chains section (GIVC) within DSIT is responsible for sector-wide transformation and improving market linkages and private sector competitiveness linked to responsible production and consumption, climate resilience, food security, sustainable standards, and market systems. The section utilizes the Alliances for Action (A4A) methodologies to implement the programme in Eswatini. The A4A is a participatory partnership model that engages smallholder farmers and MSMEs to manage risk and facilitate networks that provide the required technical expertise and capacity building. It aims to increase the competitiveness of value chain actors while ensuring compliance with environmental, economic, and social requirements through mapping of the key environmental, economic, and social risks affecting value chain operations in Eswatini. The direct beneficiaries will be: Target value chain operators to be defined and identified during the programme's inception phase: 1. MSMEs 2. Social enterprises (SEs) 3. Producer Associations including cooperatives, farmers’ organisations and farmers/artisans groups 4. Smallholder farmers 5. Arts and crafts producers Support institutions: • Trade and Investment Support Institutions (TISI) • Business support and training institutions (BSOs) • Professional associations • Farmers support institutions • Financial institutions • Non-formal TVETs DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: The Project Operation Manager is responsible for providing operational support to the Project Manager and local team to create seamless process between the project and relevant partners (Government Institutions, the European Union, partners MSMEs and BSOs, national and international experts, ITC experts) to ensure high-quality support to the implementation of project activities in accordance with project plan and timelines. Under the direct supervision Eswatini Programme Manager, and in close coordination with the HQ based and local project team to undertake for the following duties: Summary of key functions: • Effective management and implementation of programme activities and achievement of results • Effective management of workplan, monthly, quarterly, annual reporting and donor reporting • Provide capacity building, including coaching, to local project staff to effectively implement project activities • Build and maintain partnership/network with existing and new project partners 1. Effective management and implementation of project operations in Eswatini under all the Eswatini ongoing programmes • Develop and implement an operations plan (MoUs, procurement, and administration) to ensure quality and timely results delivery • Regularly monitor progress toward planned activity, and take appropriate actions to prevent delays and anticipate issues • Contribute to the development of the project annual and quarterly work plans and targets for result-based management in close collaboration with project team members and partners • Regularly monitor, coordinate and facilitate development of a project monitoring and evaluation plan. Follow up with the project team and identify the potential risks that relate to project delivery status • Review all reports prepared under the project ensuring content is acceptable quality and assist local team members and partners to maintain high quality and measurable reporting systems • Coordinate and manage local administrative plan and its implementation to support timely implementation of planned activities • Prepare draft TORs for administrative / procurement services processes and initiate these in accordance with UN-ITC policies and procedures and in a timely manner • Act as the focal point for inquiries from local partners and ensure the speedy execution of requests and provide necessary input (e.g. documentation) to facilitate the delivery of services • Represent ITC in UNCT meetings and report on progress to ITC programme and country focal point • Coordinate timely publication of communication and visibility plans for the project in line with ITC and EU guidelines 2. Provide capacity building including coaching to project technical and support staff • Provide on-job training and raise awareness on procedures, manuals or guidelines • Maintain the capacity development plan for the project team members • Sustain the capacity development plan for partners • Build and maintain partnership/network and through promotion of the A4A approach and project implementation strategy Copyright The Consultant 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. 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, business administration, management, or a related field. A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience Hands-on experience in development projects and establishing inter-relationships between international organizations and national governments, institutions and private sector; Experience in working with government entities managing donor funds is an asset, working with MSMEs in Eswatini and direct experience in managing project operations and team. Skills: • Ability to coordinate the work of others • Strong interpersonal skills • Excellent presentation skills • Ability to build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills • Good team-player willing to assume additional responsibilities • Able to operate under pressure and tight deadlines • Organise and priorities work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines; and, • Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the team and partners

Fluency in written and speaking of English, knowledge of local language

Not available.

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.