Programme Officer (Making Trade Happen), DECI/SEC (Temporary)

Organizational Context

The International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the UN and WTO, provides trade-related technical cooperation to developing countries. Within the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions (DECI), the Sector Competitiveness Section (SEC) develops and disseminates sector-level expertise for sustainable market-driven solutions. This role leads the 'Making Trade Happen' project and other SEC initiatives focusing on market entry and trade development.

Job Purpose

The Programme Officer's primary purpose is to lead and manage key programmes and projects within the International Trade Centre's (ITC) Sector Competitiveness Section (SEC), specifically the 'Making Trade Happen' project and other initiatives focused on market entry and trade development. This role is crucial for advancing ITC's mandate of providing trade-related technical cooperation to developing countries by delivering sustainable, market-driven solutions. The officer will be responsible for the full project lifecycle, from development and implementation to evaluation, ensuring effective project execution and strategic coordination. This involves performing consulting assignments, coordinating policy development, conducting research, and initiating outreach activities to support clients and achieve sustainable trade outcomes. The position contributes significantly to enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises in developing countries through strategic interventions, expert guidance, and data-driven planning, ultimately fostering economic growth and integration into global markets.

Responsibilities

The Programme Officer is responsible for the comprehensive management of assigned programmes and projects, including their development, implementation, and evaluation. This involves monitoring progress, analyzing outcomes, identifying and resolving issues, and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure timely follow-up actions. The role includes performing consulting assignments, facilitating workshops, and assisting clients in developing action plans for change management. Key duties also encompass conducting thorough research, analyzing diverse information sources, and coordinating policy development through issue analysis, trend review, and the preparation of evaluations and studies. The officer will generate and manage survey initiatives, design data collection tools, and interpret responses to inform conclusions. Furthermore, responsibilities extend to organizing and preparing various written outputs, providing substantive support for meetings and conferences, and leading outreach activities such as training workshops and presentations. The role also involves leading or participating in complex field missions, offering guidance to consultants and government officials, and coordinating budget-related activities, including financial statements and work programme submissions. A critical aspect is collecting and analyzing data to identify trends, providing insights through data visualization for informed planning and decision-making.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in project or programme management, or a related area, is required (nine years with a first-level degree). This must include at least five years of experience in business matching for trade and investment. Desirable experience includes working with funding agencies, developing countries, and advising companies on export, investment, or business development.

Skills

Professionalism: Project/programme management, data collection, analytical and evaluative research, judgment, planning, priority management, deadline adherence, persistence, gender perspective integration, data analysis and interpretation. Communication: Clear and effective written and verbal communication, active listening, tailoring messages, and information sharing. Leadership: Role modeling, empowering, strategic development, relationship building, conflict resolution, driving change. Building Trust: Fostering open environments, transparent management, confidence in colleagues, and follow-through on actions.

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