Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 226247
Job Network : Economic, Social and Development
Job Family : Programme Management
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-5
Duty Station : GENEVA
Department/Office : International Trade Centre
Date Posted : Jan 19, 2024
Deadline : Feb 18, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting
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 and strengthened country engagement for all projects. The regional sections are responsible for country coordination, for gathering country intelligence, for needs assessments and design of demand led projects, for in-country resource mobilization and for managing multiyear, multi-disciplinary projects.

The purpose of this job function is to lead ITC’s contribution to development of trade capacity in beneficiary countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with a particular focus on activities which lead to inclusive and sustainable growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Chief, Office for Latin America and the Caribbean will develop coherent and coordinated project and programme responses to country and regional trade development needs within the ambit of ITC’s mandate; build effective relations with key counterparts in the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean and related institutions, national governments and regional organizations; enhance collaboration with principal donors and other international partners at country and regional level; and feed related intelligence back to ITC to ensure quality programme development with a clear focus on sustainable impact. The performance of the Section will be measured in terms of its contribution to capacitating beneficiary countries to increase inclusive and sustainable trade.
Responsibilities
The Chief, Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (OLAC) will be directly supervised by the Director of the Division of Country Programmes, based on ITC’s vision and related strategic objectives as elaborated in its Strategic Plan 2022-2025.

The position involves the following responsibilities:

A- Programme Development, Resource Mobilization and Country Coordination
• Develop a common vision, strategic objectives and support related planning for ITC’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean in line with ITC’s strategic plan.
• Identify and translate opportunities and associated key challenges in relation to trade development in Latin America and the Caribbean -including deepening regional integration, overcoming barriers to trade, and ensuring sustainable integration within regional and international value chains – into actionable and bankable programme proposals.
• Oversee the coherence of ITC’s projects and programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean; from identifying capacity building needs and priorities, and producing related project proposals to identifying resource mobilization opportunities to ensuring that ITC’s methodologies for trade development interventions and related capacity building initiatives in beneficiary countries respond fully to the needs of the continent.
• Ensure that ITC’s programme activities in Latin America and the Caribbean contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth, with a particular focus on vulnerable and marginalized communities (women, youth, refugees and internally displaced persons as well as people with disabilities).
• Apply a results-based management (RBM) approach towards programmes and projects under his/her portfolio, with a focus on agile project cycle management.
• Lead programme funding initiatives for the region, elaborate a corresponding strategy and effectively coordinate efforts of country managers in resource mobilization.
• Engage closely with donors and partners in the region with the objective to enlarge and diversify the funding sources for the region.
• 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) and related statements, thereby contributing to ITC’s communication with stakeholders.

B- Collaboration and Representation
• Ensure good collaboration with project partners, external stakeholders and across ITC in relation to planning and implementation of trade development programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Collaborate effectively with ITC staff working in projects and programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• 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.

C- People Management
• Lead, manage and capacitate a diversified multi-cultural team.
• Effectively delegate responsibility to and ensure accountability of staff.
• Regularly discuss performance and provide feedback and mentorship to staff.
• Perform other duties as required
Competencies
Professionalism:
Knowledge of trade development needs and challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean, the international trading system, and the TRTA environment. Knowledge of RBM and project management. Good collaborative and people skills to ensure integration, synergies and consistency of his/her activities with other parts of ITC. Proven networking skills ideally with established network of trade-related contacts in the region including ministries, the private sector, heads of business associations and non-governmental organizations, senior officials in UN and other international organizations and donor agencies. Proven analytical, communication and representation skills. Proven track-record of resource mobilization. Familiarity with the UN operations and related rules. Expertise in project development. Exposure to sustainability and inclusiveness concepts in trade. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Vision:
Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

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 improvement; 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.
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 improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands
Education
Advanced university degree in economics, business management, development studies, social sciences or in a similar field.
A first level university degree in economics, business management, development studies, social sciences may be considered with an additional two years of qualifying work experience.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of trade development, ideally in a multi-cultural and multilateral environment is required.

At least 5 years’ experience in relation to trade related technical assistance (TRTA) and related programme development and managerial experience is required.

At least 7 years’ experience working with MSMEs and trade promotion in or with Latin America and the Caribbean, preferably within TRTA is required.

Experience in resource mobilization and in programme development is required.

Substantial senior level experience with proven experience of managing large teams and direct reports is required.
Languages
For the position advertised, fluency in both English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.