International Consultant, Central Africa – Regional Trade Facilitation Lead

Result of ServiceTo be specified based on ATCMA Programme progress in the ECCAS Region. Work LocationHome-based (mandatory) in countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and preferably in Cameroon. Expected duration4 months. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre (ITC) has a unique mandate in the United Nations system to promote increased competitiveness of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing, transition and least developed countries and assisting them to better use trade as a platform for growth, development, and employment creation. As such, ITC supports these countries to improve their business environment and facilitate better management of border operations, including through the implementation of inclusive and sustainable trade facilitation reforms and in particular the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). About the project: From November 2024 to November 2028, ITC implements jointly with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) – Component Central Africa, in close collaboration with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and funded by the European Union (EU). This large-scale joint initiative aims at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the EU by improving market access for selected value chains through Trade and Investment Policy and Facilitation assistance, by strengthening compliance with quality standards, and by promoting strengthening value addition and diversification, as well as by increasing the export capacities of companies and realizing business opportunities. Among other interventions under Output 1 Market access barriers are identified and reduced, ITC implements the following trade facilitation activities: • Activity 1.1.2: ECCAS Member States are supported in the implementation of trade facilitation provisions and other relevant trade agreements to eliminate market access barriers on target priority value chains. • Activity 1.1.3: Performance at corridor level, including border management, is improved. • Activity 1.1.4: Small-scale cross-border trade is supported to participate in priority value chains. In this context, ITC seeks to hire an International Consultant – “Trade Facilitation Lead” – to serve as technical advisor on trade facilitation initiatives under the ATCMA Programme in the ECCAS Region. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: The International Consultant – “Trade Facilitation Lead” – will work under the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer on Trade and Investment Facilitation and the overall guidance and technical direction of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Advisor both at the ITC headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Throughout the assignment, the Consultant will accordingly perform the following duties: 1. Stakeholder engagement and coordination for trade facilitation activities in ECCAS: • Foster and maintain positive working relations with public officials, private sector representatives and other key stakeholders to ensure smooth project implementation and effective collaboration on Trade Facilitation activities. This includes briefing and engaging government officials, private sector stakeholders, development partners and other relevant entities to discuss and advertise project outcomes and insights before, during, and after field missions. • In close coordination with relevant ITC Office of Africa officer, act as liaison for the purpose of Trade Facilitation activities between ITC Trade and Investment Facilitation team and: o National and/or regional stakeholders involved in Trade Facilitation activities, including international organizations (e.g., ECCAS Commission), government counterparts (e.g., Ministry of Trade, Customs), Border Regulatory Agencies (BRA), SMEs, private sector organizations, field consultants, and other stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of Trade Facilitation activities. o Other UN agencies and development partners evolving in the Trade Facilitation area in the region to align and find synergies in the delivery of Trade Facilitation activities. o Other ITC and UNIDO teams including when applicable with relevant ITC sections to ensure that Trade Facilitation activities are delivered building synergies with other technical teams for delivering as “one ITC”. 2. Technical and strategic guidance on Trade Facilitation Reforms in ECCAS: • Provide advisory to help guide the design, implementation, and refinement of the ATCMA Programme interventions on trade facilitation balancing beneficiaries’ expectations and project’s objectives and expected outcomes. This includes hands on inputs and to refine trade facilitation interventions, ensuring interventions are tailored to the specific needs of the project and the local context. • Carries out research on selected aspects of the ATCMA Programme, operations and other activities, etc., and review and/or analyze emerging issues and trends. • Participates or contribute to data collection exercise: this means assist with design of data collection tools and analyses and interprets responses. • Identify problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions, liaises with relevant parties, identify and track follow-up actions, and when as required, assist in developing the action plan for the client to manage the change. • Contributes to the development, review and finalization of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Regularly organize and lead meetings with relevant actors and partners to monitor the progress of trade facilitation initiatives as required by the project objectives and timelines. • Participate and/or organize field missions of the Trade and Investment Facilitation team, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. 3. Event management: • Assist in the planning/facilitating workshops and/or participation to conferences following a collaborative approach and ensuring high value for money thanks to tangible technical results while managing project partners expectations. This includes checking positions beforehand, reviewing agenda with project partners, identifying topics and participants as required. • Prepare participant lists, send invitations, and manage follow-up communications to ensure efficient coordination. • Ensure targeted participation in training sessions, achieving or exceeding predefined benchmarks for participant engagement. • Document events comprehensively by preparing detailed meeting minutes, and workshop reports. • Monitor and analyse specific aspects of project development and implementation. 4. Logistics and operations: • Assist in ensuring operational excellence in Trade Facilitation Activities delivered by the Trade and Investment Facilitation team. • Support in identifying relevant service providers and Trade Facilitation Activities’ partners (e.g., hotels, interpreters, media companies, event organizers, etc.) in line with applicable UN rules of procedures. • Provide support to the management (e.g., venue bookings, participant management, and post-event evaluations) in line with applicable UN rules of procedures: o Facilitate the collection and review of quotes, supporting documents and relevant data. o Assist project service providers and Trade Facilitation Activities’ partners (i.e. legal entities, vendors, consultants or meeting participants) in applicable registration process. o Liaise as appropriate for managing successful relationships and fostering ITC’s operational efficiency. 5. Project Monitoring and Reporting under ATCMA Programme in ECCAS: • Provide support in the preparation of Project Steering Committees and other project committee and/or working groups in close coordination with relevant officer of the Office for Africa, inputs on PowerPoints, preparing minutes, ensuring that all activities and decisions are recorded comprehensively. • Contribute to qualitative and quantitative reporting following established guidelines, and/or templates in line with ITC standards: o Prepare and disseminate reporting documents (i.e., evaluation and attendance sheets, or exams) o Collect required means of verifications for ensuring quantitative reporting. o Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and/or yearly progress reports that summarize key project activities, and challenges achievements, and the status of ongoing tasks following established templates or standards aligned with ITC’s work. o Follow-up on project metrics • Identify opportunities for offering technical assistance in resource mobilization, planning, piloting, and execution of trade facilitation initiatives, ensuring they adhere to international best practices and are suited to the needs of the country or region. 6. Communication and outreach: • Contribute to outreach activities for the ATCMA Programme in ECCAS and specifically for the Trade and Investment Facilitation team and contribute to the development of marketing strategies and communication materials. • Contribute regularly (at least once every two months) to ITC facilitates Trade communication channels liaising with the Trade and Investment Facilitation team communication task force by providing proactively communication inputs (i.e., concept notes (if available), bullet points, results figures, photos, testimonials, …) • Prepare report and materials that highlights project achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for future actions. 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 skillsMaster’s Degree or higher in development studies, law, international business, international trade, economics, or related fields. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience working in trade facilitation or trade-related technical assistance projects. • Demonstrated experience in project management, particularly in multi-stakeholder projects. • Strong established network within relevant government agencies (e.g. Ministry of Trade, Customs), and private sector actors. • Previous experience in implementing projects in Central Africa region will be considered a strong asset. • Experience working on projects funded by international organizations, such as the European Union, GIZ, or other multilateral development entities, is highly desirable Languages• Excellent proficiency in English and French is mandatory. • Proficiency in Spanish and other languages spoken in countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is considered an asset. 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.