Programme Manager, Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme

Position description

1. INTRODUCTION

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs services across the globe. The WCO represents 187 Customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.

As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a range of Conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their Customs administrations, as well as foster international cooperation amongst them.

2. PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

Customs administrations perform a range of important functions on behalf of their governments including revenue collection, trade facilitation, protection of society, and national security. Their compliance with international standards and capacity to simplify and harmonize customs formalities are vital for the competitiveness of their national economy, the improvement of the investment climate and further development of international trade. Therefore, investing in Customs reform and modernization has become a key development priority in recent years.

The adoption of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), including its mandatory provisions on modernized Customs procedures, has reinforced the need to support Customs administrations in developing and least developed countries to modernize and reform Customs in line with international standards. As an ‘Annex D organization’ the WCO supports its Members in the implementation of the WTO TFA.

The Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme (the “Programme”) brings together the WCO, the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in a partnership to support implementation of the WTO TFA through the use of WCO instruments and tools under the WCO Mercator Programme. The Programme leverages the respective strengths of each organization: the WCO’s Customs-to-Customs approach and accredited experts, and UNCTAD’s complementary support to National Committees on Trade Facilitation. Building on a collaboration that began in 2015, the Programme contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. For more information about the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme and its work, please consulthere.

3. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The main objective of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme is to foster sustainable development by supporting Customs administrations to implement the TFA, through providing technical assistance and capacity building on TFA implementation. This includes technical assistance focusing on Risk Management, Post Clearance Audit, Authorized Economic Operators, Time Release Study and Coordinated Border Management, among others. This is done through the organization of national diagnostics or capacity building/technical assistance training, workshops, and regional and international events, promoting experience sharing and building on a Customs-to-Customs partnership.

4. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

The main accountability of the assignment is to achieve the Programme’s objectives and outputs, outlined in the Grant Agreement between the WCO and the Donor, on budget and on time through management, in line with the WCO policies and procedures, of all aspects of this multi-component Programme which includes TFA implementation support.

Under the supervision of the Head of Facilitation Implementation Unit and guidance of the Programme Steering Group, the Programme Manager will focus on the following key activities:

i. Management

• Manage project staff in accordance with the WCO’s values, Staff Manuals and policies, including management of leave and attendance, recruitment, onboarding, offboarding and associated knowledge transfer, as well as staff welfare, liaising with the Human Resources (HR) Service and other relevant services, as required
• Assign tasks to project staff, ensuring alignment with individual skills and capacities, balancing workloads to the extent possible, and setting deadlines and expectations
• Provide guidance and direction to project staff, ensuring ongoing two-way feedback, setting objectives and development plans, conducting performance evaluations, and identifying opportunities for development
• Ensure effective communication and knowledge-sharing within the project, and in coordination with other managers in the WCO.

ii. Programme Delivery Management

• Lead engagement with Partner administration to identify strategic priorities and entry points for WCO-mediated TFA implementation support and facilitate structured multi-stakeholder dialogue process
• Review WTO self-assessments, WCO assessments and other relevant analytical works from a trade facilitation perspective of the Partner countries
• Develop, maintain and regularly update work plans outlining the indicative schedule for delivery, monitoring, and review of Programme activities in each Partner country
• Oversee implementation of Programme activities and the work plan
• Lead missions to Partner countries to assess progress and adjust or re-prioritise implementation plans and ensure alignment with evolving needs
• Prepare high quality narrative, half-year, and annual reports and presentations for the relevant Programme governance structures; and
• Promote the WCO’s role within a trade facilitation and development partner environment.

iii. Support to Experts

• Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of the WTO TFA and and its relevance to the Programme’s strategic objectives
• Collaborate closely with WCO subject-matter experts and accredited experts from the global Customs community to define technical inputs to the Programme
• Ensure that experts are well briefed on how their actions support the Programme’s strategic objectives
• Ensure that experts are appropriately briefed, supported, and debriefed, and that mission reports are produced to WCO standards and timelines; and

iv. Partnerships, Coordination, and Communication

• Maintain active collaboration with national, regional and international TFA-related initiatives were overlapping and/or complementary activity exists
• Implement the Programme’s communication activities in line with WCO policies and the donor’s communication priorities and visibility requirements
• Maintain regular dialogue with donors, Partner administrations, WCO experts, and other stakeholders.

v. Financial, Procurement, and Administrative Management

• Plan and propose programme expenditures in accordance with WCO financial rules and the activities of the Programme
• Maintain accurate financial forecasts and expenditure tracking using WCO systems.
• Support audits, evaluations, and monitoring exercises, and contribute to financial reporting.
• Lead programme procurement processes in compliance with WCO procurement policies.
• Ensure travel and logistical arrangements for programme activities are managed in accordance with WCO procedures.

vi. Other tasks

• Prepare presentations, briefing notes, texts for presentations/speeches given by the WCO Secretary General and other senior Secretariat staff
• Contribute to the work/reports of the Directorate.
• Perform other programme-related duties as assigned by line manager.

5. EDUCATION

University level degree in international development, economics, political economy, Customs studies or a related field or an equivalent combination of education, skills and experience.

6. EXPERIENCE AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION

a. Professional Experience

• Minimum of eight years (8) experience at middle to senior level in programme or project management, preferably in trade, economic development, or public sector reform.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded programmes, including planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
• Proven experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and development partners
• Proven experience in the planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of capacity building and technical assistance initiatives in a public sector context.
• Experience working in international and multicultural environments

b. Analytical, Reporting and Facilitation Skills

• Demonstrated experience in drafting high-quality reports, working papers, briefing notes and materials, and working documents related to programme management
• Strong knowledge of the WTO TFA
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to undertake structured diagnostics, evaluate technical reports, and develop practical, implementation-oriented recommendations
• Strong facilitation, moderation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to present clearly and build effective professional networks

c. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively with WCO Secretariat staff, Member administrations, Programme partners, technical experts, and other stakeholders in a multicultural and international environment; and
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational environments.

7. ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE BUT NON ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE-2) would be an asset.
• Specific experience in Customs, trade facilitation, trade policy or public financial management would be an asset.
• Proven experience in managing projects related to WTO TFA implementation would be a strong asset
• Knowledge of Customs standards related to the WTO TFA, including the Revised Kyoto Convention; and
• experience in working with LDCs and developing countries could be an asset.

8. LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken is required.
• Fluency in French would be a strong asset.

9. CONTRACT AND CONDITIONS

• Staff member under short-term contract of 2 years (with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding);
• Envisaged start of short-term contract: as soon as possible;
• Probationary period: 6 months;
• Full-time employment (37 hours and 40 minutes weekly) at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium;
• Travel to Partner countries required;
• 30 days of annual paid leave;
• Relocation package available (conditions apply);
• Salary from EUR 8,850 EUR/month all-inclusive
• Remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium (it is the applicant’s responsibility to verify his / her tax obligations outside of this arrangement);
• Compulsory WCO health insurance deducted from the salary (around 71 EUR/month for the staff member);
• Immediate family members (limited to spouse and dependent children) are eligible for health insurance cover on the WCO policy, with full premiums at the charge of the staff member.

This position is subject to the Manual for Short-Term Contractors. The successful applicant shall not acquire the right subsequently to occupy a permanent post within the WCO. The successful applicant will not be affiliated to any retirement fund or pension scheme taken by the WCO. If a candidate is related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), they are required to expressly indicate this in the Application.

Application instructions

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