Head, Office for the Middle East and North Africa, DCP/OMENA

Organizational Context

The International Trade Centre's Division of Country Programmes (DCP) ensures the coherence and impact of ITC's country and regional programs. This role, as Head of the Office for the Middle East and North Africa (OMENA), is a senior management position within DCP, reporting to the Director. The incumbent leads technical cooperation activities to enhance trade capacity and promote sustainable economic growth in the region.

Job Purpose

The Head of the Office for the Middle East and North Africa (OMENA) is responsible for leading technical cooperation activities to strengthen trade capacity and promote inclusive, sustainable economic growth in the region. This involves developing coherent project and programme responses to regional trade development needs, building strong relationships with key stakeholders including governments, the private sector, and international partners. The role ensures effective collaboration, gathers intelligence to inform program development, and oversees the quality and sustainable impact of ITC's interventions. The incumbent implements ITC's vision and strategic objectives, contributing to regional strategy development, resource mobilization, and tailored responses to evolving trade challenges and development priorities, with a focus on vulnerable groups.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement regional strategies for trade development in the Middle East and North Africa, aligning with ITC's strategic plan and country engagement strategy. Identify and translate regional trade opportunities and challenges into actionable programme proposals, focusing on overcoming trade barriers and integrating value chains. Oversee the coherence of projects and programmes, identifying capacity-building needs, developing proposals, and supporting resource mobilization to meet beneficiary country priorities. Ensure programme activities contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth, with a focus on vulnerable populations. Engage with donors and partners to diversify funding sources and coordinate efforts. Represent ITC in regional and international forums, contributing to agendas on trade development. Provide strategic oversight for programme and project management, ensuring quality implementation, sustainable impact, and risk management. Oversee financial resources and budgets for the region. Contribute to corporate documents and manage a multidisciplinary team.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive professional experience in trade development, preferably in a multicultural environment, is required (nine years with a first-level degree). This includes at least five years in trade-related technical assistance, supporting SMEs, business support organizations, or policymakers, and in programme development and management in the Middle East and/or North Africa. Five years of experience in resource mobilization and partnership development, along with experience managing multicultural teams, is also required.

Skills

Professionalism, communication, leadership, managing performance, knowledge of trade development, international trading system, results-based management, project management, networking, analytical skills, diplomacy, representation, resource mobilization, team management.

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