A4A Programme Adviser on Value Chain and EPA Implementation

Result of ServiceEXPECTED OUTPUTS AND TIMELINES / RESULT OF SERVICE: The Consultant will submit a monthly report on the progress and completion of project activities for validation, as follows: • Progress on SBR activities: implementation status, formation of SBR technical and thematic working group, key documents prepared and/or reviewed as input towards SBR discussions. • Progress on SBR stakeholders consultations, preparation/implementation of awareness raising activities and/or capacity building activities related to competitiveness as per identified areas in the selected policy briefs. • Witten input on implementation of Eswatini programme workplan and implementation strategy/report and programme development. • Progress on delivery of trainings and/or working sessions with programme stakeholders, MSME/BSOs on selected topics. • Input/review on MSME/Entrepreneurs/SEs/CSOs development methodology, data collection tool etc. • Written mission reports, including findings. Work LocationHome-based, South Africa Expected duration12 months renewable Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization for trade-related technical cooperation in developing countries. The Eswatini Government identifies agriculture as one of the main drivers of growth and jobs as stipulated in the Eswatini National Development Strategy and Vision 2022 and developed the Economic Recovery Plan 2020 which identifies the private sector as an engine for economic growth. In collaboration with the Eswatini Government and through funding from the European Union, ITC is supporting the Eswatini Government to achieve its development objectives through the implementation of a Programme comprised of three interconnected programmes, namely: “Support for Job creation and the investment climate (JC & IC); Support to the implementation of the EU-SADC agreement (EPA) and the Livestock programme”. The programme aims to unlock the key constraints to competitiveness in Eswatini by improving the policy and regulatory framework for private sector development and through the development of selected value chains; and supports the enablement of a public-private platform for improving the country’s national competitiveness. With a major focus on the development of agriculture and agri-business value chains and crafts, the Eswatini programme is designed to achieve two key outcomes: (1) adopting and implementing business-friendly, inclusive, and responsible national policies and legal frameworks, and (2) strengthening productive, processing, promoting, and marketing capabilities of and for targeted value chains. The specific objectives for JC & IC programme are: Specific Objective 1 (SO1): Competitiveness’ of the value chain actors assessed, and capacity of support ecosystem analysed. Specific Objective 2 (SO2): Public Private Alliances convened in selected value chains resulting in improved jobs and growth. Specific Objective 3 (SO3): Capacities of business support institutions and associations enhanced with improved and more inclusive delivery of support services to MSMEs. Specific Objective 4 (SO4): MSMEs, SEs and Producers’ association investment strategies developed. The specific objectives of EPA programme are: Specific Objective 1 (SO1): Strengthen public-private dialogue on ease of doing business and MSME competitiveness. Specific Objective 2 (SO2): Increase value addition, productivity, and competitiveness through responsible producer-buyer alliances. Specific Objective 3 (SO3): Enhance the capacity of trade and investment promotion bodies and/or MSMEs and private sector associations to take advantage of opportunities offered by the SADC-EU EPA. The specific objectives of the Livestock programme are: Specific Objective 1 (SO1): Improved smallholder livestock productivity, with a more inclusive and sustainable management of assets at community/household level Specific Objective 2 (SO2): Inclusive, efficient, and transparent VC actors’ alliances strengthened in the livestock value chain. Specific Objective 3 (SO3): MSMEs/Social Enterprises’ competitiveness and value addition capabilities strengthened in a more sustainable and inclusive manner. The Programme is overseen by the ITC Division of Sustainable and Inclusive Trade (DSIT) which leads ITC’s work about sustainable and inclusive value chains. The Green & Inclusive Value Chains section (GIVC) within DSIT is responsible for sector-wide transformation and improving market linkages and private sector competitiveness linked to responsible production and consumption, climate resilience, food security, sustainable standards, and market systems. The section utilizes the Alliances for Action (A4A) methodologies to implement the programme in Eswatini. The A4A is a participatory partnership model that engages smallholder farmers and MSMEs to manage risk and facilitate networks that provide the required technical expertise and capacity building. It aims to increase the competitiveness of value chain actors while ensuring compliance with environmental, economic, and social requirements through mapping of the key environmental, economic, and social risks affecting value chain operations in Eswatini. The direct beneficiaries will be: Target value chain operators to be defined and identified during the programme's inception phase: 1. MSMEs 2. Social enterprises (SEs) 3. Producer Associations including cooperatives, farmers’ organisations and farmers/artisans groups 4. Smallholder farmers 5. Arts and crafts producers Support institutions to be defined during the programme's inception phase • Trade and Investment Support Institutions (TISI) • Business support and training institutions (BSOs) • Professional associations • Farmers support institutions • Financial institutions This assignment will focus on coordinating and ensuring the policy level discussions and decisions are informed by input from value chain consultations, capacity development needs of Business Support Institutions (BSOs) and MSMEs and State Business Relations (SBR) technical working groups. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the A4A Head of Agribusiness (DSIT/GIVC) and in close collaboration with the Eswatini Programme Manager, the Programme Adviser will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Facilitate the effective implementation of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on Public-Private Dialogue Forum (SBR): • Prepare and/or consolidate SBR related activities based on consultations with private sector (represented by Business Eswatini (BE)) and Government counterpart (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade). • Evaluate SBR workplan and activities including planning and implementation and provide guidance to SBR secretariat, BE, Government and local research institution (ESEPARC). • Review and finalize inputs to the SBR including technical and thematic working group ToRs, policy briefs for the SBR Technical and Thematic working groups, in coordination with programme team, SBR secretariate, Business Eswatini and local research institution (ESEPARC). • Identify key competitiveness gaps for policy actions, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, and studies on competitiveness to facilitate the SBR working groups and/or Government of Eswatini. • Review SBR relevant documents, reports, policy briefs, and inform the programme team on issues to be addressed including follow-up actions. • Coordinate awareness raising workshops with partner institutions on key competitiveness topics to government and private sector and compile input on possible policy actions. • Initiate outreach activities to support policy makers; conduct training workshops, seminars, and make presentations on assigned topics/activities. 2. Contribute to the effective implementation of the Eswatini Programme: • Deliver capacity development support to selected MSMEs and BSOs on selected management topics and assisting in developing action plan/s the BSO/MSME will use to manage change. • Review MSME/Entrepreneurs/SEs/CSOs etc M&E survey initiatives, data collection tools; review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions. • Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to programme documents, concept notes, programme development etc. • Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Lead and/or participate in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Review different reports with the programme team: Programme workplan, M&E data/tools, project reports, concept notes, project inception report, programme-policy documents, PSC presentations etc. Copyright The Consultant has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, business administration, management, or a related field. A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in conducting policy, value chains, sector related research, development. Skills: • Understanding and direct knowledge of policy issues in Eswatini • Understanding of policy issues affective the competitiveness of Eswatini • Proven research and analytical skills LanguagesFluency in written and speaking of English Additional InformationExpected duration: 12 months with possible extension, starting on 01/07/2025 No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.