Lao PDR: Enhancing business opportunities for SMEs of Lao PDR in China Project: National Project Coordinator

Result of ServiceEXPECTED OUTPUTS AND TIMELINES 1. 1 data collection exercise after trade fair participation (by 31 July) 2. 1 coaching session organized for a first batch of companies (by 31 July) 3. 1 application form drafted for the China – ASEAN expo (by 31 July) 4. 1 group of companies selected to the CA Expo (by 31 August) 5. 1 draft programme of the CA expo participation, including agenda of the policy dialogue event (by 31 August) 6. 1 participation of a delegation of Lao PDR MSMEs and officials in the CA Expo (by 30 September) 7. Submission of a quarterly report (by 30 September) 8. 1 coaching session organized for a first batch of companies (by 31 October) 9. 5 meetings with project counterparts organized (by 30 November) 10. 1 selection process for a second batch of companies for capacity-building successfully organized (by 31 December) 11. Submission of a quarterly report (by 31 December) 12. 1 coaching session organized for a first batch of companies (by 31 January) Work LocationHome-based in Lao PDR Expected duration7 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe project \"Enhancing business opportunities of SMEs of Lao PDR to China\" was signed between UNDESA and ITC on 23 May 2024. It aims to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, mitigation of vulnerability and job creation in Lao PDR through enhancing Lao MSMEs’ export competitiveness in China. The project started on 1 June 2024 and will last until 31 May 2026. The project is aiming at raising awareness of exporters in Lao PDR about trade with China. It aims at increasing business opportunities for exports of agricultural and light industrial products from Lao PDR to China. The expected outcomes are: 1. increased trade competitiveness for agriculture and light manufacturing products export from Lao PDR to China and 2. improved capacity of public and private stakeholders in Lao PDR for export promotion and facilitation. The project works with the Department of Trade and Handicraft Promotion (DTHP) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) as the institutional focal point. The project also closely liaises with private sectors entities - companies, and with trade-support institutions such as the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Based on this background, the project is looking for a National Project Coordinator in Lao PDR. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES The National Project Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer and project manager for this project; in close cooperation with the Programme Management Officer; and under the overall supervision of the Chief, Office for Asia and the Pacific. He / she will be responsible for the following duties: • Support the capacity-building activities for MSMEs: contribute to the selection of companies to be coached on export management; act as focal point for companies in the process; coordinate the organization of coaching activities; gather and analyse first results of the coaching • Support the participation of Laotian SMEs to selected trade fairs in China: draft the application form; advise on the selection process (e.g. through dissemination of the application documents); coordinate the capacity-development process prior to and during the fairs (coaching sessions, training); contribute to the organization of side events during the fairs (business matchmaking, other parallel events such as side field visits, etc.); collect data on the outcomes immediately after the fair and some months after (business leads; business deals); analyse the results of the fair participation, draw lessons learned and integrate them into new trade fair participation processes • Advise on the e-commerce activities of the project: support selected companies in getting their online portal on e-commerce platforms in China • Contribute to the organisation of policy dialogue events in Lao PDR and in China: organize the logistics, disseminate invitations; centralize requests and questions from Laotian stakeholders • Facilitate communication with the Lao PDR national counterparts: the Department of Trade and Handicraft Promotion (DTHP); the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI); companies; other public and private sector stakeholders • Contribute to the dissemination of project work (e.g. the report on Analysing the bottlenecks of trade with China and Thailand with a focus on the railway and the report on China – Lao PDR: Opportunities for Export Expansion) • Propose initiatives about synergies and opportunities with other projects and interventions. 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. Qualifications/special skills• Advanced university degree in International Trade, Business Administration, Development Studies or related field. • Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • Minimum of ten years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. • Previous working experience with UN and other development agencies an asset. Experience of implementing trade-related technical assistance projects is desirable. Previous working experience in Asia and Lao PDR in particular is an advantage • Knowledge of trade-related and development assistance issues, economic and social issues in Asia and trade facilitation. • Knowledge of challenges to trade and private sector development in Lao PDR is an asset. LanguagesAdvanced English is required. Knowledge of Lao is an advantag 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.