Project Adviser, Policy & Value Chain Engagement (LICA 9)
Organizational Context
The International Trade Centre (ITC), within the UN Secretariat, focuses on enhancing trade and investment. This role is situated within the Strategies and Policy for Trade and Investment (SPTI) Section, Division of Market Development (DMD), and operates across ECOWAS member countries, supporting partnerships and addressing market access barriers.
Job Purpose
This role supports trade and investment policy programming and the facilitation of regional value chain review mechanisms within the ECOWAS sub-regional component of the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme. The primary objective is to identify and address regulatory and procedural market access barriers, design and implement policy reforms to improve market access, and increase SME export competitiveness. The role also involves activating regional value chain review mechanisms and fostering alignment between national and regional workplans to achieve a shared regional vision for priority value chains.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include supporting the ECOWAS Commission and regional institutions in organizing trade policy and value chain meetings, and preparing technical documents. The role involves identifying and prioritizing trade and investment barriers, and supporting policy reform development through stakeholder engagement and dialogue. It also entails facilitating the design, implementation, and monitoring of regional value chain review mechanisms, collecting and analyzing relevant data, and supporting the tracking of implementation progress and success stories. The position requires providing substantive support for policy advocacy, coordination, and evaluation functions, including research and impact assessments, and contributing to progress reports and communication materials.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in trade and investment, including economic research, analysis, policy formulation, and applying economic principles in development programs. Experience in value chain development and project monitoring/reporting is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, strong analytical and research skills, ability to interface economic theories with practice, proficiency in Microsoft Office, effective communication (written and verbal), planning and organizing, and client orientation. Fluency in English and French is required; Portuguese is an advantage.