Chef of Section, Institutions and Ecosystems (IE), DECI/IE
Organizational Context
The International Trade Centre (ITC) aims to transform trade and change lives by enabling trade-led economic development, particularly in the Global South. The Institutions and Ecosystems (IE) Section within the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions (DECI) supports Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in developing countries. IE focuses on enhancing the capacity of BSOs to deliver effective services, recognizing their critical role in fostering sustainable, system-wide impact and acting as multipliers for ITC projects.
Job Purpose
This role leads and mentors the DECI/IE team, focusing on defining the functions and capacity building of Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in public and private sectors. The Chief oversees programmatic and administrative tasks, including budget management, performance monitoring, and staff evaluation. A key responsibility is forging strategic alliances with diverse partners and fostering teamwork across the organization to meet BSO needs. The role involves representing ITC at inter-agency meetings, providing technical expertise, and building national, regional, and international networks of BSOs. It also includes overseeing the design and delivery of new products and services, developing ITC's profile as a center of excellence in BSO capacity building, and diversifying the range of supported BSOs to include specialized services for vulnerable groups. The Chief will also establish ITC as an authority on measuring BSO impact on enterprises.
Responsibilities
The Chief of Section is responsible for leading and mentoring the DECI/IE team, defining the role and functions of BSOs with an emphasis on capacity building and cost-effective services. This includes overseeing programmatic and administrative tasks such as budget preparation, performance monitoring, and staff evaluations. The role involves forging strategic alliances with public and private sector partners, including donors and foundations, and fostering teamwork within the section and across organizational boundaries. The Chief will advocate for ITC’s BSO strengthening services and represent ITC at inter-agency meetings, providing programmatic and substantive expertise. Key technical duties include building and providing expertise to BSO networks through capacity building and advisory programs, overseeing the design and delivery of new products and services, and developing ITC's profile as a center of excellence in BSO capacity building. This also entails diversifying supported BSOs, including those serving vulnerable populations, and establishing ITC as an authority on measuring BSO impact.
Work Experience
A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience is required (12 years with a first-level university degree). This includes senior management and advisory experience in a leadership role with trade or business support organizations, experience in high-level organizational representation, and managing/advising BSOs across different cultures. Experience in designing and leading complex projects and managing cross-cultural teams is essential. Advisory experience and established networks within SME competitiveness, entrepreneurship, TVET, or innovation ecosystems are also required. Experience with change management, particularly integrating digital technology and AI, is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Accountability, Client Orientation, Leadership, Vision, knowledge of business environments, BSO operations, capacity building, trade development, data analysis, and intergovernmental organizations.