National Consultant – National Project Coordinator in Lao PDR for the project "Enhancing business opportunities of SMEs of Lao PDR to China"

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

1. 1 application form for trade fairs drafted - by 31 July 2024. 2. 3 meetings about the project organized with key stakeholders - by 31 August 2024. 3. 1 participation of delegation of Laotian SMEs to trade fair in China successfully completed - by 30 September 2024. 4. Submission of 1 quarterly individual activity report - by 30 September 2024. 5. 1 capacity-building process successfully launched - by 31 October 2024. 6. 1 quarterly project report submitted - by 31 October 2024. 7. 3 communication items in the Laotian media published - by 30 November 2024. 8. 1 participation of delegation of Laotian SMEs to trade fair in China successfully completed - by 30 December 2024. 9. Submission of 1 quarterly individual activity report - by 30 December 2024. 10. 2 ideas for synergies and cooperation presented - by 31 January 2025. 11. 3 meetings about the project organized with key stakeholders - by 28 February 2025. 12. 3 capacity-building activities successfully organized - by 31 March 2025. 13. Submission of 1 quarterly individual activity report - by 31 March 2025. 14. 2 inputs to research and analysis reports provided - by 30 April 2025. 15. 1 quarterly project report submitted - by 30 April 2025. 16. 3 communication items in the Laotian media published - by 31 May 2025. 17. 2 capacity-building activities successfully organized - by 30 June 2025. 18. Submission of 1 quarterly individual activity report - by 30 June 2025.

Work Location

Home-Based, with possibility of travel to China, Lao PDR and other locations

Expected duration

ASAP – 30 June 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: The 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 will raise awareness of exporters in Lao PDR about trade preferences, especially in the Chinese market, for greater use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework. 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 will work with the Trade and Handicraft Promotion Department (THPD) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) as the institutional focal point. The project will also closely liaise 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. The Consultant will be responsible for the following duties: • Coordinate and analyze the participation of Laotian SMEs to selected trade fairs in China: provide input to the drafting of the application form; contribute to the design of selection criteria; lead 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, policy interpretation dialogue, etc.); collect data on the outcomes immediately after the fair and some months after (business leads; business deals); analyze the results of the fair participation, draw lessons learned and integrate them into new trade fair participation processes. • Act as focal point for the organization of capacity-building in Lao PDR on export management: lead the identification of participants; coordinate the organization of capacity-development activities (training of trainers, general training, coaching) including advising on logistics; participate in the training activities, including by providing inputs to technical teams. • Contribute to other capacity-building activities of the project, e.g. by coordinating Laotian participation from public and private sector and by providing inputs to training material. • Act as a focal point of the project for Laotian partners: Department of Trade and Handicraft Promotion; Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry; other public and private sector stakeholders. • Provide inputs to the research and analysis outputs of the project: contribute to collect data and feedback on the export potential report under the project; contribute to collect data and feedback for trade facilitation analysis. • Draft sections of progress reports. • Propose initiatives about synergies and opportunities with other projects and interventions. • Ensure efficient communication and outreach at the national level, including representation of the project at country events as/if required. Copyright Clause: The Consultant has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/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 prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required. 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

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.

Languages

Advanced English is required. Knowledge of Lao is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.