Chief, Office for Arab States

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The Division of Country Programmes (DCP) is responsible for coherence and impact of ITC’s programmes at the country and regional levels. The five regional sections within ITC maintain close relations

The Division of Country Programmes (DCP) is responsible for coherence and impact of ITC’s programmes at the country and regional levels. The five regional sections within ITC maintain close relations to partners in ITC’s programme countries to ensure a demand-led approach for all projects. The sections coordinate throughout the project cycle in the design, implementation and monitoring of projects

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Chief, Office for Arab States (OAS) will be directly supervised by the Director of the Division of Country Programmes, based on ITC’s vision and related strategic objectives. The position involves the following responsibilities:

Strategic Programme and Project Development

• Develop a common vision, pursue strategic objectives and provide strategic support to the programmes under his/her leadership and management, in line with ITC's strategic plan.
• Translate opportunities and associated key challenges in relation to trade development in the Arab States -including deepening regional integration, overcoming barriers to trade, and ensuring sustainable integration with international value chains - into actionable and bankable programme proposals.
• Oversee the management of ITC's projects and programmes in the Arab States; from identifying capacity building needs and priorities, and producing related project proposals to developing new methodologies for trade development interventions and related capacity building initiatives in beneficiary countries.
• Ensure that ITC’s programme activities in the Arab States achieve sustainable pro-poor developmental impact and associated shared wealth creation, employment growth and entrepreneurial opportunities and contribute to the 2030 Agenda.
• Apply a results-based management (RBM) approach towards programmes and projects, including a project cycle management methodology, performance indicators, measurable outputs and outcomes, and monitoring and evaluation measures.
• Lead selected programme funding initiatives for the region, elaborate a corresponding strategy and effectively coordinate efforts of country managers in resource mobilization.
• Ensure a pro-active role with donors and partners in the region with the objective to enlarge and diversify the funding sources for the region. Ensure related effective financial resources management and integrate financial and value-for-money concepts in decision-making.
• Identify, employ and communicate good programme and project management practices, including ensuring sustainable impact of project initiatives as well as efficient identification and handling of associated project risks.
• Draft related documents as inputs to ITC’s corporate documents (strategic plan, operational plan, and annual report), thereby contributing to ITC’s communication with stakeholders.

Collaboration and Representation

• Ensure good collaboration with project partners, external stakeholders and across ITC in relation to planning, management and coordination of trade development programmes in the Arab States.
• Collaborate extensively with private sector to ensure a market led approach and related linkages.
• Represent ITC at international fora on trade development and related technical assistance in the region and assist in tailoring agendas addressing current and future trade challenges.

People Management

• Lead, manage and capacitate a diversified multi-cultural team.
• Effectively delegate responsibility and accountability to staff based on sound RBM principles.
• Regularly discuss performance and provide formal and informal feedback, coaching and mentoring to staff.
• Perform other duties as required

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Masters of equivalent) in economics, business administration, international trade or a related field.

Note: A candidate possessing a first level university degree in economics, business administration, international trade or a related field may be accepted with a minimum of twelve years of relevant postgraduate professional experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience, ideally in a multi-cultural and global context. Hands-on experience in relation to trade related technical assistance (TRTA) and related programme development and managerial experience. Substantial experience from working in the Arab States, preferably within TRTA. Minimum two years of this experience should be at a senior level.

LANGUAGES: Advanced knowledge of English with a working knowledge of Arabic or French, and preferably both. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Good understanding of trade development needs and challenges in Arab States, the international trading system, and the TRTA environment.
• Good project management methodologies, processes, standards, and related good RBM practices.
• Good understanding of successful fundraising. Good collaborative skills to ensure integration, synergies and consistency of his/her activities with other parts of ITC
• Good networking skills fostering establishment and maintenance of relationships with decision makers in beneficiary countries including ministries, the private sector, heads of business associations and non-governmental organizations, senior officials in UN and other international organizations and donor agencies.
• Good analytical, communication and representation skills.
• Proven track record of resource mobilization.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Insights of UN and WTO rules and guidelines.
• Familiarity with evolving trade development issues and the role it can play in inclusive sustainable development.
• Good track record on managing teams.

ITC’S VALUES are: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

ITC’S CORE COMPETENCIES are: Communication, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, Accountability, Creativity, Client Orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Technological awareness.

ITC’S MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES are: Vision, Leadership, Empowering Others, Managing Performance, Building Trust, and Judgment/Decision making.

For further information on competency based interview please click here

CRITICAL JOB-SPECIFIC VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies

• Teamwork
• Client Orientation

Managerial Competencies

• Vision
• Leadership
• Managing performance

For further information on the competency framework click here and for competency based interviews please click here

TERMS OF SERVICE

Appointments with ITC are service-limited to this organization. The conditions of service are governed by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. This is a fixed term appointment.

INDICATIVE ANNUAL SALARY AT THE P-5 LEVEL

Annual Salary (net of tax)

Starting from 84,721US$, with annual increments subject to performance.

Post Adjustment

In addition to the above annual salary a monthly post adjustment is paid. The rate as at XX 2017 is 77.5% of the monthly salary. This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

For further information please consult the International Civil Service Commission website: http://icsc.un.org

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For information on how to apply please click here.

Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.

Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Information on the status of a vacancy can be obtained at: http://www.intracen.org/jobs

Please note that candidates to this position may be considered for other ITC job openings subject to meeting the relevant eligibility and competency requirements.

ITC does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, nationality, religion or other social criteria. ITC is fully committed to the implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly for gender mainstreaming and applications from qualified women and men are equally welcome.