National Project Manager - International Trade Centre (ITC)

Contract

This is a SC-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about SC-10 contracts.

Background

About the International Trade Centre

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It is fully dedicated to the success of small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs), connecting markets, improving lives. In Iraq, we build trade-led growth for inclusive prosperity. ITC is a fully operational resident agency in Iraq, member of the UNCT with offices in Baghdad (UN compound), Erbil and Mosul.

About the “STRENGTHENING THE AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD VALUE CHAIN AND IMPROVING TRADE POLICY IN IRAQ” project

ITC is implementing the project “Strengthening the agriculture and agri-food value chain and improving trade policy in Iraq” that runs from 2020 to 2025. This project, funded by the European Union, aims to contribute to inclusive growth and job creation, particularly for youth for Iraq citizens. It seeks to enhance the trade competitiveness of Iraq’s agribusiness value chain, while improving the country’s trade policy.

The principal government counterparts for this project are the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade.

The Project focuses on:

• ER1: Addressing farm- and firm-level challenges and business environment hurdles through national strategies for high-potential products.
• ER2: Building productive and commercial agricultural value chain alliances to enhance competitiveness of farmers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
• ER3: Fostering a conducive ecosystem for the growth of youth-owned agribusinesses and the upskilling of young entrepreneurs and workers.
• ER4: Strengthening trade policy framework, supporting the WTO accession process, economic policy formulation, institutional capacity building and awareness raising.

The National Project Manager will integrate ITC’s project offices in Iraq. He/she will be responsible for overseeing project planning, implementation and assume day-to-day coordination with ITC HQ and national counterparts. The Project Manager will work closely with implementing partners and local stakeholders to ensure effective coordination, communication, and collaboration in the project's activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of ITC Programme Officer in Baghdad and in close coordination with the ITC HQ and Iraq-based team, the selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

Management:

• Develop and implement regular work plans (annual / monthly) with SAAVI team and partners, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines.
• Monitor and evaluate project activities, tracking progress, and identifying areas for improvement in coordination with M&E team
• Supervise project’s team, including field officers towards implementation of the project’s work plan and achievement of delivery targets and results.
• Provide comprehensive guidance, support, and supervision to project implementation partners throughout the project lifecycle. Monitor their progress, promptly addressing any challenges or issues that arise.

Coordination:

• Manage relationships with national counterparts and ensure ownership of project initiatives the different stakeholders and beneficiaries in Iraq. Maintain regular communication, ensure good information sharing; liaise with the relevant government departments, ministries, local authorities, and private sector partners to obtain support for project implementation.
• Participate and co-facilitate Project Steering Committee (PSC) and working group meetings, support the preparation of meeting agendas and other documents required for the review of the committee, including quarterly updates and annual reports. Conduct follow-up on the adoption of recommendations provided by the PSC and ITC.
• Seek the approval of the Project Steering Committee of the project annual work plan, in close consultation with ITC and Iraqi counterparts.
• Ensure synergies during project implementation, coherence with partners and beneficiaries' needs and expectations as well as with relevant projects in Iraq;
• Keep abreast with developments in the country and identify synergies and opportunities with other projects and initiatives.

Technical guidance:

• Technical oversight of locally recruited experts ensuring that their deliverables are timely and meet expected quality standards.
• Technical backstopping and quality control regarding partners’ work, including regular monitoring visits of projects activities and draft written reports to be shared with the project team
• Provide ground intelligence to technical leads and technical inputs required by the project team and experts;
• Engage in technical dialogue in project-related topics, such as private sector growth, MSME development and agriculture and agri-food sector, at national level with key partners, including key line Ministries, donors, NGOs, private sector, and civil society.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Participates in or leads field missions, including provision of guidance to ITC staff, external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.

Communication:

• Ensure sufficient project visibility and respect of communication guidelines throughout project activities.
• Lead in various communication and networking activities to highlight project results and ensure donor and ITC visibility.
• Document project monitoring visits and share pictures or short videos on a regular basis.
• Participate in outreach activities, design and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

Reporting and accountability:

• Provide regular updates and reports on project implementation to ITC headquarters, national counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders
• Ensure compliance of rules and procedures thus guaranteeing smooth operation of the project including staff management, budget management, activity and results monitoring, project progress reporting, and compliance with UN and EU regulations.
• Contribute to progress reports against the project monitoring and results framework, including undertaking/coordinating information and data collection.
• Identify risks to project implementation and propose/put in place mitigation actions
• Maintain up to date records of all project-based activities and documents
• Undertake any other tasks agreed with the ITC HQ Project Manager, in support of efficient implementation of the project

Competencies

ITC’S VALUES are: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

ITC’S CORE COMPETENCIES are: Communication, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, Accountability, Creativity, Client Orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Technological awareness.

ITC’S MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES are: Vision, Leadership, Empowering Others, Managing Performance, Building Trust, and Judgment/Decision making.

For further information on competency based interview please visit: www.intracen.org.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge on issues regarding international trade, market access and competitiveness, particularly as they relate to MSMEs in Iraq is desirable. Knowledge of value chain diagnosis and strategy design is desirable. 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. Knowledge of the UN system, rules and procedures specific to fragile settings desirable. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• 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.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Managerial competencies:

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each member of the project. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Work experience:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, international trade, business administration, development studies, agronomy or related field with minimum of 5 years’ experience in the field of technical assistance and trade development including experience in project management, SME development, agricultural and rural development, administration or related field

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in economics, international trade, business administration, development studies or related field With 7 years’ experience in the field of technical assistance and trade development including experience in project management, SME development, agricultural and rural development, administration or related field

Required knowledge and skills:

• Experience working on delivering trade-related technical assistance in Iraq
• Experience in the areas of market access, trade and competitiveness with a specific focus on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
• Experience in value chain analysis and development and strategy design

Desirable knowledge and skills:

• Experience in working with government and/or private sector counterparts is desirable
• Knowledge of the UN system and procedures or experience of EU-related projects would be an asset

Language Requirements:

• Advanced English with excellent written and oral communication skills is essential
• Fluency in Arabic is required