Regional Team Leader
Organizational Context
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the WTO and UN dedicated to supporting SMEs' internationalization and competitiveness. Its mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth through trade. This role is within ITC’s Office for Asia and the Pacific, based in Kathmandu, Nepal, leading a regional programme.
Job Purpose
This role leads the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the South Asia Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the EU. The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of institutions and businesses across South Asia to understand, utilize, and comply with EU market access requirements. The objective is to leverage trade for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and inclusive socio-economic outcomes by enhancing readiness for EU trade legislation, environmental sustainability, and due diligence standards. The position contributes to regional cooperation and resilient value chains between South Asia and the EU.
Responsibilities
Lead the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the regional Trade Facilitation Programme for South Asia. Manage partnerships and outreach with government counterparts, project partners, beneficiaries, and EU Delegations. Ensure close coordination with national and regional stakeholders across South Asian countries. Facilitate interactions and cooperation among stakeholders, representing the project at events. Monitor project activities against work plans, ensuring operational synergies and reporting progress to ITC headquarters. Coordinate the preparation of annual work plans and support project monitoring and reporting. Identify and mitigate implementation risks. Manage the project office in Kathmandu, including team meetings and guidance for experts. Organize and support project governance meetings, ensuring follow-up on recommendations.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of experience in result-based project/programme management is required. Experience in trade-related technical assistance, business support, and working with trade institutions or private sector networks in South Asia is also required. Experience with UN, EU, or other development agencies, particularly EU projects, is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, in-depth knowledge of international trade and value chains in South Asia, understanding of trade policy and facilitation, sustainable value chains, EU sustainability and due-diligence requirements, inclusive trade, results-based management, research and analysis, planning and prioritization, teamwork, communication, and client orientation.