Programme Officer

Posting Title: Programme Officer (Business Development), DCP/OMENA, P3 (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: Programme Management Officer

Organization: International Trade Centre (ITC)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Posting Period: 14 July 2023 - 30 July 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Programme Management-ITC-214014-J-Geneva (R)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Office for Middle East and North Africa (OMENA), housed within the Division of Country Programmes (DCP), is in charge of the overall liaison and relationship management with partner countries in the MENA region. OMENA is responsible for coordinating ITC technical assistance projects and activities in the region, to achieve synergies and impact. The Office ensures strengthened partnership in the MENA region with international, regional, bilateral and national institutions with the aim to have substantive field interventions in critical and priority development areas.
The goal of this job function is to assist the Chief, OMENA and country managers in: (1) designing and managing development of OMENA projects' portfolio responding to priority needs of partner countries in the MENA region and in line with priorities of donors and development partners; (2) supporting OMENA’s resources mobilization efforts in line with the overall resources mobilization strategy at corporate level ; (3) drafting project concept notes and projects proposals to benefit MENA countries in coordination with relevant technical sections and divisions at ITC, UN agencies based in Geneva and in the field, development partners, and other external partners as relevant.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Office for the Middle East and North Africa
(OMENA), the general guidance of the Director of the Division of Country Programmes, in collaboration with OMENA country managers, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Participates in business development efforts for the section, including participation in needs assessment missions where needed, and contribute to the design of high quality project concepts and project documents, working with country managers, ITC technical sections, and partners in the field,. for submission to development partners and partner countries;
• Develops and/or strengthens relationships with traditional and non-traditional development partners including private sector and foundations, and mobilizes funding for projects in the MENA region.
• Monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on multilateral trade issues and overall social and economic trade in the region.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Contributes to outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. Ensures section’s marketing and promotional material are up to date and of high quality
• Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their interlinkage with economic, social and environmental issues is desirable. Knowledge of Trade and economic development issues in the MENA region . Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Knowledge of the multilateral trading system and the WTO agreements. Understanding of macro-economic issues and their impact on sustainable development is important. Understanding of critical issues faced by Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and possible solutions to overcome them is desirable. Knowledge of trade related technical assistance programme design, management and reporting. Knowledge of resource mobilization approaches for technical assistance projects. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field.

A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.

Experience in business development is desirable.

Experience in resource mobilization is desirable.

Experience working with donors and managing economic development projects is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in French and Arabic and knowledge of English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The conditions of service are governed by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. This is a temporary appointment for an initial 06 months and may be subject to extension.
Applications from women and nationalities from developing and least developing countries are particularly encouraged.
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. ITC also offers attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work/life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
Given the nature of the temporary opportunity, priority consideration may be given to candidates already located at the duty station.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.
ITC Internal staff on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, if selected, may be entitled to Special Post Allowance as per Staff Rule 3.10.
For information on salary and entitlements, please consult the International Civil Service Commission website: http://icsc.un.org

United Nations Considerations

In accordance with the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Candidates will not be considered for employment with ITC if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.

Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, Inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on "Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side of the Inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances, and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in Inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised in Inspira will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

ITC does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ITC are fraudulent and should be disregarded.

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