Job: Senior Officer, Trade Institutional Development

Location: Geneva 
Deadline: Tuesday, 22 October 2013 

Description

ITC job openings are available on http://www.intracen.org/about/itc-careers JOB OPENINGDate: 24 September 2013The International Trade Centre is looking for a: Senior Officer, Trade Institutional Development Post level: P-4

Job Opening No.: ITC/VN/21/2013

Division/Section: Division of Business and Institutional Support (DBIS) / Trade Support Institutions Strengthening (TS)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Deadline for application: 22 October 2013 (midnight Geneva time)

Entry date: as soon as possible

Duration of appointment: two years, renewable

THE ITC

The work of the International Trade Centre (ITC) is focused on delivering ‘Export Impact for Good'. We target the private sector, trade support institutions and the promotion of government policies which contribute to competitive trade and sustainable and inclusive development. We support developing and transition countries in seeking out and promoting export opportunities – leading to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. If you are a passionate and committed individual who wants to make a lasting difference, then ITC is the place to be. For further information and details of how to apply, please visit ITC's website: www.intracen.org

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The Division of Business and Institutional Support (DBIS) provides appropriate solutions to Trade Support Institutions (TSI) in developing countries and economies in transition. It aims to build TSI managerial capacities; facilitate the work of their networks; and enable a conducive business environment, to assure and develop the international competitiveness of SMEs and small exporters. DBIS delivers demand-driven solutions to support Businesses and Institutions in three major areas: - Strengthening the capacity of TSIs selected as ITC's multipliers in the field, offering services in line with the best practices obtained through benchmarking methodology, maintaining TSIs networking of networks and helping them improve the market share of their clients (exporting SMEs). - Building exporting SMEs competitiveness, improving their management skills to achieve export readiness; optimize their products value chain; gain market share through marketing and branding; and capitalize on information and communication technologies (E-enabling). - Facilitating a conducive Business Environment, designing and developing programmes covering legal issues related to Export transactions; linking financial institutions to exporting enterprises; addressing issues relevant to access to finance; and providing trade facilitation services to reduce trade transaction costs.

MAIN PURPOSE AND KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Trade Support Institution Strengthening (TS) and under the general guidance of the Director, Division of Business and Institutional Support (DBIS), the incumbent will:

INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE

Managerial duties and responsibilities

- Lead the team in charge of designing, formulating and implementing technical cooperation programmes and projects in the area of institutional development.

- Supervise other professional staff and general service staff in the Section.

- Coordinate and supervise teams of international and national consultants and experts.

- Deputize for the Chief TS in his/her absence when requested.

- Develop, maintain and monitor all forms of communications with TSI network members to improve client relationships, including surveys, focus groups and electronic media.

- Coordinate the institutional development activities of the Section.

- Establish close working linkages with other ITC technical sections, with a view to promote TS methodologies and tools.

- Ensure full integration of TS components into the ITC corporate initiatives and large programmes.

- Intervene in the field to provide training, advisory and coaching support to TSIs.

- Liaise with key donor agencies to promote the TS programmes.

Technical duties and responsibilities:

Contribute to the successful development, management and delivery of the TS Section activities in the area of institutional strengthening, benchmarking, trade support service portfolio development and institutional networking, articulated around the two following key areas for which the incumbent will have full responsibility:

Institutional capacity building package:

- Design methodologies and tools addressing TSI needs.

- Conduct research and analysis on TSI status and outcomes with a view to constantly upgrade and enrich the TS section set of methodological tools. - Organize and conduct training programmes and business advisory services to improve the managerial and operational capacities of institutions to design, deliver and evaluate export development and promotion services to their constituencies. Programme/Project design, formulation and implementation: - Keep abreast of the key issues affecting the international trade and export environment and their implications on the development and implementation of national and/or regional trade development strategies.

- Provide recommendations on the scope and means for strengthening those TSIs, national and/or regional mandated to support the effective and successful implementation of trade strategies.

- Conduct needs assessment missions in developing countries with a view to identify the specific needs of TSIs to better serve their business communities and design project proposals.

- Take the lead in developing programmes for TSI strengthening and provide active technical contribution to their effective implementation, through training, advisory and coaching services. Particular focus should be given to ITC large programmes.

- Promote the interaction between key institutional players involved in trade development and promotion.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE

- In partnership with other ITC sections, develop and maintain information systems to collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence to build TSI networks, improve service delivery and monitor TSIs performance and their effective impact on trade development and promotion.

- Perform other duties as required.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA EDUCATION:

Advanced university degree in economics, business administration or an international trade related field.

Note: A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of seven years of relevant demonstrated professional experience, at a progressively higher level of responsibility, preferably working at a senior level within a Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO) or a Trade Support Institution (TSI), providing services and/or strategic planning for the organization. Proven writing skills and project management experience, including the management of organizational performance programmes and/or trade related technical assistance projects. Experience in trade institutional development applied in a broad range of developed and developing countries. Experience in designing, developing and delivering TSI strengthening programmes and services.

LANGUAGES:

Advanced knowledge of English with a working knowledge of French and/or Spanish. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

The incumbent should possess in-depth knowledge of strategies, plans, operations and services aimed at developing and promoting exports. Understanding of the structural, managerial and operational issues related to the performance of TPOs and TSIs in the areas of leadership and direction, resources and processes, service delivery and result measurement. Ability to assess the performance improvement needs of TPOs and TSIs so as to formulate and manage Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) programmes. The incumbent should possess diplomacy, discretion and tact, and be sensitive to issues of cultural diversity.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of the institutional framework, the social-economic and policy factors that affect the internationalization of SMEs on developing countries. Practical experience of directly developing and delivering performance improvement advice to enterprises and TSIs. Demonstrated experience with counseling and training TSIs and/or SMEs in developed and/or developing countries. Ability to manage a network of international and national consultants to carry out headquarters and field based activities in support of the TS section work plan. Ability to consult with ministers, senior government officials and business leaders on national trade policy, institutional strengthening strategies and action plans, taking into account the specific local circumstances. Familiarity with the rules, regulations and procedures of the UN system

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

INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE

CRITICAL JOB-SPECIFIC VALUES AND COMPETENCIES ITC Values

• Integrity Core Competencies
• Teamwork Managerial Competencies
• Vision
• Managing Performance
• Judgment/Decision Making

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-4 LEVEL

Annual Salary (net of tax) US$ 67,483 at single rate US$ 72,467 with primary dependants

Post Adjustment Plus 99.4% (September 2013 rate) of the above figure(s). 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 HOW TO APPLY Candidates are required to complete an on-line application.

To apply, please visit the ITC website at http://www.intracen.org/about/itc-careers which provides all related instructions on how to complete the on-line personal history form (PHF). Candidates should also submit a motivation letter.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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. A written test may be held for this position.

Candidates must ensure that they are the sole author of the answers.

Reference materials including candidate's own work and material may be used if properly cited.

Please be informed that software that detects plagiarism will be used to verify candidate's answers.

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. Applications from women and nationalities from developing and least developing countries are particularly encouraged.

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