Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme is a major initiative aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the European Union (EU). Funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this four-year program aims to improve market access for specific value chains and increase the export competitiveness of SMEs in these sectors. It also seeks to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance with quality standards, and promote added value and export diversification. By prioritizing women- and youth-led businesses, ATCMA aims to promote economic inclusion and encourage sustainable business practices. The umbrella programme is structured around two intervention levels: 1) the Continental Component and 2) Sub-regional Components in five RECs: COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC. The ATCMA Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Component will cover activities in the 11 countries of the region: Angola, Burundi, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sao Tomé and Principe.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Office for Africa, the overall guidance of the Director, DCP, and in close collaboration with the Programme Officer at ITC HQ, the Programme Officer will be responsible for providing both managerial and technical expertise to ensure the effective implementation and coordination of all ATCMA-ECCAS regional activities implemented with UNIDO. Specific responsibilities include:
- Ensures the effective oversight, management, and performance of the Programme Management Unit (PMU) in Yaoundé.
- Develops, implements and evaluates ATCMA ECCAS programme to ensure the achievement of general and specific objectives as outlined in the programme’s contractual documents; monitors and analyzes programme development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
- Liaises and engages with relevant stakeholders in the region, including national governments, the ECCAS Commission, EU Delegation, and designated national Focal Points, to ensure strong programme ownership and visibility, alignment with governments’ priorities.
- Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) ensuring alignment with financial targets and efficient resource allocation; and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
- Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
- Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
- Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations: ensures the organization and coordination of annual meetings of the Regional Steering Committee and regional Technical Committee meetings; represents and reports on ATCMA-ECCAS progress at the annual overall Umbrella ATCMA Steering Committee Meeting to ensure maximum synergies with the Continental and other ATCMA Sub-Regional Components.
- Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
- Leads and/or participates in large, complex 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: Good understanding of the regional trade integration process in ECCAS and Africa. Knowledge of regional trade integration issues, value chain support, trade policy and facilitation, trade finance and investment, quality and standard issues. Knowledge of EU financial management rules is considered an asset. Familiarity with UN system management tools and processes. 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.
- 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.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
- 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 improvements; 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.
- Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as development, engineering, international relations, trade law. 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 seven years of experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience coordinating and managing large-scale programmes is desirable. Experience working with African development partners is desirable. Experience working with public/governmental and private sector institutions and officials in ECCAS countries is desirable. Experience with programmes funded by the EU is desirable.
Languages
- For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of of Spanish or Portuguese is an advantage.
Application instructions
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