National Consultant: Project Assistant

In consultation with the National Coordinator, the Textile Expert and the Communications Adviser, the consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks throughout the assignment: A. Deliver project implementation support for the National Wool and Mohair Roadshows, Bootcamp, Incubation and Acceleration Programmes, including participant registration, mobilisation, training and event logistics, participant follow-up and activity documentation B. Produce and maintain complete participant and programme records, including participant profiles, stakeholder and contact lists, attendance records, registration information, assessments, feedback and other programme monitoring documentation. C. Deliver communications and visibility support across project activities, including collection and organisation of photographs, short videos, testimonials, beneficiary stories and other approved communication content in accordance with ITC consent, branding and communication requirements. D. Prepare communications materials and digital content as requested, including basic social media content, flyers, social media tiles and other materials using approved templates and guidance from the EFI Communications Advisor. E. Deliver Roadshow communications and outreach support, including competition and registration support, content collection, participant engagement, media and partner support, and documentation of the five district activations. F. Support and document training and enterprise development activities, including Bootcamp, Incubation and Acceleration training sessions, participant communication, attendance, assessments, feedback and follow-up actions. G. Produce regular activity documentation and implementation updates, consolidating activities undertaken, communication outputs, participant engagement, training support, key follow-up actions and relevant supporting records for project monitoring and reporting. H. Compile beneficiary and enterprise information required for project monitoring, including participation, programme progression and other information requested by the project team. I. Provide logistical, administrative and coordination support for project meetings, workshops, stakeholder engagements, training activities, study visits, market engagements and other activities undertaken under Subcomponent 1.3. Expected outputs and timelines: The Consultant will submit a Monthly Progress Report by the last day of each calendar month. Each report must summarize the specific milestones achieved during the reporting period across three core pillars: 1. Operations & Logistics: Updates on support delivered for Roadshows, Bootcamps, incubation/acceleration programmes, and Subcomponent 1.3 coordination. 2. Communications & Visibility: Digital assets collected, social media content prepared, and district activation outreach completed. 3. Data & Compliance: Updated participant tracking logs, metrics compiled for project monitoring, and verification data. • Output 1: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (November 2026) – Due by 30 November 2026 • Output 2: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (December 2026) – Due by 31 December 2026 • Output 3: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (January 2027) – Due by 31 January 2027 • Output 4: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (February 2027) – Due by 28 February 2027 • Output 5: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (March 2027) – Due by 31 March 2027 • Output 6: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (April 2027) – Due by 30 April 2027 • Output 7: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (May 2027) – Due by 31 May 2027 • Output 8: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (June 2027) – Due by 30 June 2027 • Output 9: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (July 2027) – Due by 31 July 2027 • Output 10: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (August 2027) – Due by 31 August 2027 • Output 11: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (September 2027) – Due by 30 September 2027 • Output 12: Monthly Progress Report & supporting documentation (October 2027) – Due by 31 October 2027 • Output 13: Final Handover Package: Consolidated participant databases, archived library of digital assets, list of outstanding actions, and recommended next steps – Due by 31 October 2027

Home-based in Lesotho

01.11.26 - 31.10.27

The Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) of the International Trade Centre (ITC) connects micro-entrepreneurs from the developing world to international and regional value chains. The Programme builds technical and managerial capacities of the communities and creates sustainable business linkages through social enterprises that run production and trade hubs. The four key stakeholder groups of this model are, consumers, buyers and businesses in the lifestyle sector, social enterprise running centralized production hubs and artisan micro-entrepreneurs grouped in legal entities. The Government of Lesotho, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD, through the East and Southern Africa Division (ESA) launched a project entitled Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project (WaMCoP). The project aims to increase the wool and mohair sub-sector’s climate resilience and market beneficiation, with a specific focus on the small producers and value chain enterprises. EFI will lead interventions under the subcomponent 1.3"Business development and cottage industry" on promoting the International-Market Linked Cottage Industry under the Wool and Mohair Value Chain. The project will develop new areas of work on hand spinning, handloom weaving, hand knitting, and other artisanal skills that can add value to the current wool and mohair sector in Lesotho. This will be achieved through tailored technical advice, training and building of market linkages. In the context of this project, EFI is looking for a Project Assistant Consultant to facilitate the implementation of the overall project, working closely with the National Project Coordinator and relevant EFI technical advisers and experts. Description of Duties/Responsibilities 1. Project Implementation Support Under the overall guidance of the Programme Officer and the supervision of the National Project Coordinator and in collaboration with the EFI team at large, the consultant will perform the following tasks: Bootcamp, Incubation and Acceleration Programme Support • Support participant registration and onboarding for the Bootcamp, Incubation and Acceleration Programmes. • Maintain and update participant lists, profiles, contact information, attendance and programme records. • Follow up with participants regarding training schedules, attendance, assignments, assessments and other programme requirements. • Support the organisation and delivery of in-person, virtual and hybrid training sessions, including participant communication, venues, materials, attendance and logistical arrangements. • Provide practical and administrative support for training, coaching, mentoring and other enterprise development activities. • Support the collection and organisation of participant assessments, feedback and other programme monitoring information. • Support relevant project activities related to ESG, inclusion, enterprise development and other technical workstreams, following guidance provided by the respective EFI technical advisers. 2. Communications and Visibility Under the guidance of the EFI Communications Advisor and in collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, support the implementation of project communication, visibility and outreach activities throughout the project cycle, including the Roadshow, Bootcamp, Incubation and Acceleration phases. Content Collection and Digital Support • Collect photographs, short videos and basic information from project activities for use on EFI/ITC communication channels. o The consultant will confirm with the hiring manager that he/she has done a review of the video and photo guidelines for ITC before any multimedia activity. The hiring manager will ensure that the photo and video material is ready for publication and compliant with ITC's visibility and quality guidelines, before the contractual engagement ends. o The consultant will confirm with the hiring manager that he/she has done a review of the video and photo guidelines for ITC before any multimedia activity. The hiring manager will ensure that the photo and video material is ready for publication and compliant with ITC's visibility and quality guidelines, before the contractual engagement ends. • Prepare basic social media and project content, when requested, using approved messaging, templates and guidance provided by the Communications Advisor. • Identify beneficiaries with relevant stories and collect basic background information, quotes and supporting content for further development by the Communications Advisor. • Collect and organise photographs, testimonials and other communication materials, ensuring that required consent forms are completed and filed in accordance with ITC requirements. • Help maintain an organised record of communication materials generated through project activities. Basic Graphic Design Support • Produce simple graphic materials, including flyers and social media tiles, using approved Canva templates and branding guidelines. • All communication products the consultant will deliver have to be compliant with ITC's visual guidelines. Media and Partner Support • Provide logistical support for media and partner engagements, including scheduling, local arrangements and accompanying visits where required. • Collect beneficiary and partner quotes or testimonials as requested. Communication Training Support • Support the preparation and delivery of communication-related training activities for project beneficiaries. • Deliver selected communication sessions using content, materials and instructions provided by the Communications Advisor. 3. Product and Market Development Support • Assist EFI experts with information collection with project beneficiaries • Provide practical and administrative support for product development training • Support research to identify new local, regional and international market opportunities for Lesotho wool and mohair value-added products. • Maintain and regularly update databases of potential clients, buyers, business partners and other market actors identified through project research. • Support the preparation of market research, mapping exercises and other research assignments undertaken by EFI technical advisers and experts. • Support follow-up with potential buyers and market partners identified . 4. MoU and Partnership Implementation Support • Support the implementation of activities agreed under Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other partnership arrangements established under the project: workplan updates, logistical and administrative support, collection of means of verifications • Document progress, results, challenges and follow-up actions arising from the implementation of MoU and partnership activities. Copyright clause: The Consultant has to ensure to have obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform their 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. The Consultant is responsible for obtaining 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.

• Undergraduate degree (BA/BSC or other) in sustainable trade, community development or related fields. • Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • Experience with social enterprises, micro, small and medium sized enterprises and community groups. • Experience working in Lesotho in wool / mohair value chains or artisanal sectors. • Experience in carrying out surveys and assessments including ESG. Skills • Strong analytical skills; • Proactive and entrepreneurial mindset; • Excellent interpersonal, presentation, written and oral communication skills; • Ability to work independently with minimum supervision; • Knowledge of ESG frameworks and assessing labour conditions at community level.

Advanced knowledge of English and Sesotho.

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.