Crafts Sector Specialist (Uganda) - National Consultant

Result of ServiceOutput 1 (by end of April 2026) – Development of training and market access plan • Worked jointly with the national craft and artisans sector specialist based in Uganda to design and prepare the Craft Sector Training and Market Access Plan. • Designed and prepared the webinar series outline, session content, and presentation materials, and submitted these to ITC for review and approval. Output 2 (by end of May 2026) – Baseline and partner assessment • Contributed to the design and delivery of the baseline and institutional assessment for partners and women-led MSMEs in the craft sector. • Participated in consultative and validation meetings with ITC and implementing partners. • Produced a concise Craft Sector Assessment Summary Note highlighting key opportunities, value chain gaps, stakeholder maps, and recommendations for training, market access, and partnership development. Output 3 (by end of July 2026) – Coordination and stakeholder engagement: Delivery of Second Webinar Series (2 sessions) and Reporting • Conducted initial mapping and classification of key stakeholders in the craft and creative sector ecosystem. • Facilitated and documented at least two (2) stakeholder engagement meetings with partners such as Bayimba, Motiv Uganda, UWEAL, and relevant BSOs. • Developed a stakeholder contact matrix outlining roles, relevance, and engagement level. • Produced a Stakeholder Engagement Summary Note, including partnership opportunities, gaps, and collaboration models. • Co-created a shared draft activity calendar with partners and ITC for Q2–Q3 2026 implementation. Output 4 (as needed by ITC throughout the contract) - Partnership briefs and MoU inputs • Provided technical inputs for at least two (2) partnership briefs or MoUs with business support organizations, TVETs and relevant organizations • Documented case examples of value-add partnerships and cross-programme synergies (e.g. access to exhibition space, co-branded events, or shared technical trainers). • Flagged risks or overlaps in scheduling and proposed mitigation strategies. Work Locationhome-based in Uganda Expected duration01.04.26 - 30.09.26 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and World Trade Organization based in Geneva. ITC’s mission is to enable small business export success in developing and transition- economy countries, by providing, with partners, sustainable and inclusive development solutions to the private sector, trade support institutions (TSIs) and policymakers. About the “Enhancing Skills and Enabling Financial Inclusion for Young Women in the Creative Economy” Programme (Uganda Creative Economy programme) This is a three-year programme designed to expand dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young women in Uganda’s creative industries. The project will reach over 84,000 women, enabling 40,000 to access employment or self-employment through skills development, entrepreneurship support, and financial inclusion. It builds on ITC’s experience in youth and creative sector programming and contributes to the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy and Uganda’s 2030 private-sector-driven vision. Through a consortium led by ITC with partners including Bayimba Foundation, NextCom, Wowzi, and Steadman Global, the initiative will: ● Strengthen market-relevant creative and business skills; ● Support growth of women-owned MSMEs in the creative sector; and ● Pilot innovative financial products tailored to women creative entrepreneurs. About the ITC SheTrades Initiative SheTrades, ITC's flagship Women and Trade programme, strives to eliminate barriers to women's trade participation. By engaging governments, the private sector, and entrepreneurs, SheTrades enhances the business capabilities of women, promoting a fairer and more sustainable global economy. The initiative targets all stakeholders in the trade and business ecosystem, offering women entrepreneurs access to essential knowledge, resources, and networks. Furthermore, it supports policymakers in adopting inclusive policies and fosters public and private partnerships to amplify the impact. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Under the supervision of the ITC SheTrades Programme team, the Craft Sector Specialist will contribute to the implementation of the Uganda Creative Economy programme by strengthening knowledge and market readiness within Uganda’s craft and creative sectors. The consultant will be responsible for the following key deliverables: Phase 1 – Baseline and partner assessment • Participate in consultative meetings with ITC and implementing partners to define assessment tools and data collection priorities. • Provide technical input into the design of the baseline assessment, focusing on: o Mapping of women-led MSMEs, young women artisans, and creative entrepreneurs in the craft sector o Identifying clusters, subcategories (e.g. beadwork, embroidery, recycled paperware), and regional hubs • Assess institutional capacities of partner BSOs, TVETs, and associations engaged in craft production and marketing. • Identify value chain gaps, product development needs, potential lead firms, and opportunities for collaboration. • Review existing data, partner reports, and policies to contextualize the craft sub-sector within Uganda’s Creative Economy. • Map key stakeholders in the ecosystem, including buyers, aggregators, logistics providers, cultural institutions, and government bodies. • Identify existing and potential partners for collaboration, including Bayimba, NextCom, Motiv Uganda, UWEAL, and others. • Participate in validation meetings and contribute to synthesis of findings with ITC’s SheTrades Associate Programme Officer and MEL team. • Produce a Craft Sector Assessment Summary Note highlighting key opportunities and priority actions for training, market linkage, and partnership development. Phase 2 - Mobilisation and participant targeting • Support the mobilisation, outreach, and categorisation of women entrepreneurs and young women artisans operating in the craft sector, in close coordination with ITC, Bayimba, and implementing partners. • Contribute to the development of clear targeting criteria to identify and segment participants by: o Women-led MSMEs and early-stage enterprises o Young women artisans and creatives o Product category (e.g. home décor, textiles, jewellery, paperware, beads) o Market readiness level (local, regional, export-oriented) • Support partner organizations and creative hubs in disseminating calls for participation and programme information. • Assist in screening and shortlisting participants for training and webinar activities to ensure alignment with programme objectives. • Ensure mobilisation approaches are inclusive and accessible, with attention to youth, informal-sector operators, and women with disabilities where relevant. • Coordinate with ITC’s MEL and programme teams to ensure participant data is captured consistently and supports reporting requirements. Phase 3 – Planning and capacity support • Co-develop a Craft Sector Training and Market Access Plan, integrating insights from the baseline. • Identify priority partner organizations and women-led businesses for participation in the pilot training and webinar series. • Provide technical guidance to partners on training design, curriculum focus, and relevant case studies for local artisans and export-oriented SMEs. • Participate in coordination and review meetings with ITC, Mastercard Foundation, and implementing partners to align training and market access activities with other programme pillars (skills, entrepreneurship, finance). • Support the design of collaboration frameworks or MoUs with key stakeholders. Phase 4 - Ongoing coordination and stakeholder engagement • Coordinate regularly with ITC, implementing partners, and Mastercard Foundation to align timelines and ensure delivery of expected outputs. • Supported the mobilization and categorization of up to 200 women entrepreneurs and young women artisans in the craft sector, ensuring inclusive outreach and alignment with programme targeting objectives. • Support the scheduling of trainings, webinars, meetings, and field activities with all relevant stakeholders. • Act as liaison with national partners (e.g. Bayimba, Motiv Uganda, UWEAL) and facilitate engagement with public and private actors in the craft and creative ecosystem. • Ensure consistent communication and collaboration across stakeholders and maintain updated activity calendars. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform 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. 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 skills• Undergraduate degree (BA/BSc or equivalent) in a relevant field such as: International Development, Trade, Economics, Business Administration, Gender Studies, Sociology/Psychology, or Creative Industries disciplines (e.g., Textiles & Crafts, Fashion, Design). • Extensive relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree. Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in at least one of the following areas: creative industries/crafts sector development, MSME development, value chain development, market systems, or trade/market access programming: o Demonstrated experience conducting baseline assessments, sector/value chain studies, stakeholder mapping, and partner/institutional capacity assessments (including data collection tools, interviews/FGDs, and synthesis of findings). o Proven ability to produce high-quality written outputs (assessment summary notes, stakeholder matrices, training/market access plans, partner briefs, and presentations). o Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders (private sector, business associations, hubs, TVETs, government, cultural institutions, and development partners) and supporting partnership development (including MoU inputs). o Experience supporting mobilisation/outreach and participant targeting for programmes (screening, shortlisting, categorisation, and maintaining participant databases). o Strong facilitation skills for consultative and validation meetings, using participatory approaches and culturally sensitive engagement. • Experience working on trade and gender and/or supporting women-led MSMEs to access markets (local/regional/export). • Direct experience in Uganda’s craft and creative sector (for example: textiles, jewellery, paperware, home décor, cultural products). • Strong engagement with relevant sector bodies (for example: women’s business associations, craft associations, creative hubs, chambers, export promotion actors). Skills • Strong communication, coordination, and outreach skills, including engaging women entrepreneurs, hubs, associations, and partners. • Diplomatic and tactful, able to facilitate discussions and handle sensitive topics with professionalism. • Excellent research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills (clear synthesis notes, stakeholder maps, plans, and briefs). • Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills, including participatory approaches for consultative and validation meetings. • Adaptable and culturally sensitive, able to build trusted relationships in a multi-cultural environment and work effectively with diverse stakeholder groups. • High attention to detail and ability to deliver quality outputs under time pressure. • Ability to work reliably and independently with minimum supervision, while coordinating closely with ITC and partners. • Previous experience producing communication and knowledge products related to trade/market access, private sector development, women’s economic empowerment, or development programming is an advantage. Languages• Fluency in English Additional InformationNot available. 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.