Regional Team Leader (IICA 3)

The goal of this job function is to lead the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the regional programme in close collaboration with ITC headquarters, country teams, technical units, EU Delegations and national and regional stakeholders.

Kathmandu, Nepal

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 organization fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization and competitiveness of small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth through trade and international business development. Through its projects and programmes, ITC contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advances the global Aid for Trade agenda. ITC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland (www.intracen.org). ITC is seeking a Team Leader for the Trade Facilitation Programme for South Asia, a four-year regional programme implemented by ITC and funded by the European Union. The programme covers Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and aims to strengthen the capacity of institutions and businesses across South Asia to better understand, utilise and comply with requirements governing access to the European Union market. The overall objective of the programme is to leverage trade as a driver of sustainable development, poverty reduction and more inclusive socio-economic outcomes. Its specific objective is to enhance the readiness of South Asian institutions and SMEs to understand, utilise and comply with EU market-access requirements. The programme is structured around three key Outputs: • Output 1: Strengthened capacity to interpret and effectively utilise EU preferential trading arrangements, including Everything But Arms (EBA), the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and GSP+. • Output 2: Enhanced preparedness to comply with EU environmental sustainability-related trade legislation and requirements, including those linked to the European Green Deal. • Output 3: Strengthened awareness and capacities to address EU legislation and standards related to corporate sustainability due diligence, labour rights and gender equality. Through these interventions, the programme will support public institutions, business support organisations and private-sector actors in priority sectors and value chains to strengthen regulatory readiness, improve market-access capabilities and respond to evolving EU sustainability and due-diligence requirements. It will also promote regional and country-level cooperation, contribute to business linkages and more sustainable and resilient value chains between South Asia and the European Union. The position is located within ITC’s Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP). The Team Leader will be based in the programme office in Kathmandu, Nepal, and will lead the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the regional programme in close collaboration with ITC headquarters, country teams, technical units, EU Delegations – particularly the EU Delegation to Nepal which is leading this programme for the EU - and national and regional stakeholders. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the general guidance of the Chief of OAP and the direct supervision of Project Manager, OAP, both based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Regional Team Leader will be responsible for the following duties: Partner and Client Relationship Management and Project Outreach: • Engage tactfully, develop partnerships and manage relationships with the relevant government counterparts and project partners and beneficiaries, maintaining constant liaison, information sharing and communication, obtaining support for project implementation, ensuring commitment and ownership. • Maintain close working-level coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal in coordination with the Project Manager; Support and coordinate engagement with national and regional stakeholders across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, including government institutions, business support organisations, sector associations and private-sector representatives. • Facilitate interactions, exchanges and cooperation among project stakeholders, including between the public and private sectors. • Represent the project and deliver presentations and interventions at national and regional events and meetings. • Identify and manage linkages and synergies with other programmes and initiatives in the region, including those funded by the EU and other development partners Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Reporting: • Coordinate and monitor the day-to-day implementation of project activities and events within the South Asia region and as per agreed workplans. • Ensure operational synergies between and across activities, outputs and stakeholders, with due consideration to beneficiaries’ needs and expectations, skills transfer and exchange of best practices. • Keep detailed track of progress of project activities, prepare and provide updates on status and progress to ITC HQ, and as required to project stakeholders and partners. • During the inception phase, support country and stakeholder consultations, validation and prioritisation of sectors/value chains and interventions, identification of implementation partners and beneficiaries, and identification of appropriate quick-win/early activities. • Coordinate the preparation and review of annual project workplans, in close consultation with the Project Manager, technical experts and EU Delegations and relevant national/regional stakeholders, as appropriate, for approval by project governance bodies. • Coordinate project monitoring and reporting against the project logical framework, assessment and evaluation missions, in close coordination with the M&E Expert and ITC Project Manager • Contribute to the drafting of result-based project progress reports for governance bodies, produce and submit monthly reports to ITC HQ. • Identify risks to project implementation and propose mitigation actions, discuss and agree on them with ITC HQ and project partners. • Manage the ITC project office in Kathmandu and organize regular team meetings, provide guidance for the work of the experts, attend and contribute to project management meetings led by the Project Manager and involving the whole project team. Support for Project Governance: • Organize the meetings of project governance bodies, including Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Consultative 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). • Support the development and operationalisation of the Terms of Reference, membership and working arrangements of the PSC and Consultative Group. • Make the necessary follow-ups on the adoption/implementation of the recommendations/inputs provided by project governance bodies, in liaison with the project team in ITC HQ. NOTE – The selected candidate must be available for regular duty travel within the participating South Asian countries and, where required, to ITC headquarters and other locations relevant to programme implementation. 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. Experience in trade-related technical assistance, business support or related field is required. Experience working with trade-related institutions and/or private sector networks in the South Asian countries of relevance to the programme is required. Experience supporting Asian LDCs, graduating LDCs and/or countries undergoing transitions in preferential market access arrangements is desirable. Experience working with UN, EU and/or other development agencies is desirable. Experience of implementing European Union (EU) projects is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of international trade and value chains in the South Asian countries of relevance to the programme, including institutional and private-sector challenges affecting participation in international trade. Knowledge of emerging trade issues relevant to the programme, including preferential market access, trade policy and facilitation, sustainable value chains, EU sustainability and due-diligence requirements, and inclusive trade. Solid understanding of trade-related technical assistance and results-based management of development programmes. Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. 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 language(s) spoken in participating South Asian countries is desirable.

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.