Programme Officer (Market Access)

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme is a major initiative aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the European Union (EU). Funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this four-year program aims to improve market access for specific value chains and increase the export competitiveness of SMEs in these sectors. It also seeks to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance with quality standards, and promote added value and export diversification. By prioritizing women- and youth-led businesses, ATCMA aims to promote economic inclusion and encourage sustainable business practices. The umbrella programme is structured around two intervention levels: 1) the Continental Component and 2) Sub-regional Components in five RECs: COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC. The current opening pertains to the ECOWAS sub-regional component of the ATCMA umbrella programme.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Office for Africa, the overall guidance of the Director, DCP, and in close collaboration with the Programme Officer at ITC HQ, the Programme Officer (Market Access) will be responsible for providing technical expertise to ensure the effective implementation and coordination of all ATCMA ECOWAS regional activities implemented with UNIDO.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the effective oversight, management, and performance of the Programme Management Unit (PMU) in Abuja by providing technical leadership and expert guidance on market access barriers and other relevant topics to ensure informed decision-making and strategic implementation.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates the ATCMA ECOWAS programme and assigned projects to ensure the achievement of general and specific objectives, as outlined in the programme’s contractual documents. This includes monitoring and analyzing programme and project development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties; and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
• Ensures coordination and sequencing among programme activities across different programme outputs.
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the review client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other the research activities and studies, action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Liaises and engages with relevant stakeholders in the region, including national governments, the ECOWAS Commission, EU Delegation, and designated national Focal Points, to provide technical inputs on trade and market access-related topics, ensuring alignment with regional priorities while supporting strong programme ownership and visibility.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Informs and coordinates trade policy and trade facilitation reforms and development, including the review and analysis of trade and market access-related issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive technical backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.; support the organization and coordination of annual meetings of the Regional Steering Committee and regional Technical Committee meetings.
• Initiates and coordinates technical outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes expert presentations on relevant trade and market access topics.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Supports activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Extensive knowledge of trade related policy instruments of the ECOWAS and its member state. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Good understanding of the regional trade integration process in ECOWAS and Africa. Knowledge of regional trade integration issues, non-tariff barriers (NTBs), sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade (TBT), rules of origin, customs procedures, and other regulatory or policy-related impediments to market access. Knowledge of EU financial management rules is considered an asset. Familiarity with UN system management tools and processes. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as development, international relations, international trade, international trade law. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in technical advisory roles, project or programme management, administration, or related area is required. Experience in supporting or coordinating technical components of regional trade programmes, with a focus on market access barriers, non-tariff measures, trade facilitation, policy reforms is desirable. Experience working with development partners in West Africa is desirable. Experience working with public/governmental and private sector institutions and officials in ECOWAS member states is desirable. Experience with programmes funded by the EU is desirable.

Languages

• For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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