Regional Coordinator

Result of Service The consultancy will lead to the implementation of the MSG Green Trade Project though the development of synergistic linkages between green trade promotion and national sustainable development strategies at national level and the strengthening of the MSG multi-stakeholder partnership at the regional level through support to the MSG Secretariat. In particular, the project will be implemented in close partnership with regional institutions, magnifying the positive effect of the project and ensuring efficient use of limited resources.

Work Location International recruitment (Port Vila, Vanuatu)

Expected duration Duration is estimated between 01.02.2022 and 31.01.2023. One or several contracts may be issued for a total effective working time of 11 months Place of work: International recruitment (Port Vila, Vanuatu)

Duties and Responsibilities CONTEXT: Four Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) that are the members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) - Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands - indicate the importance of green economic growth and trade promotion in their national sustainable development strategies. However, they have not yet defined policy frameworks that would enable synergistical interactions between green export promotion and socioeconomic and environmental sustainability. Against this background, UNCTAD implements the project on "green trade for sustainable development in Pacific SIDS of the MSG" (hereafter, the MSG Green Trade Project) under the 12th Tranche of UN Development Account. This project aims to increase the capacity of the four MSG countries to identify and strengthen synergistic linkages between green trade promotion and their sustainable development in a regionally collaborative manner. Especially, the project will strengthen the MSG regional integration by supporting the MSG Secretariat's Trade and Economic Development (TED). The project will be implemented in close coordination with the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Initiative (PQII), the Pacific Regional Integration Support (PRISE) programme, the UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UNRCO) in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), other United Nations agencies and regional cooperation groupings in the Pacific.

RESPONSIBILITY: The Regional Coordinator will be based in the MSG Secretariat located in Port Vila, Vanuatu to facilitate the economic integration and sustainable development at the regional level. Under the direct supervision of UNCTAD and in collaboration with MSG Secretariat, the Regional Coordinator will be responsible for the following main tasks. 1. Implementation of the MSG Green Trade Project by: - organizing several rounds of regional and national workshops in the MSG countries, including the invitation of government officials from different ministries/agencies and participants representing different stakeholder groups, especially women and youth. The workshops is to be held in a virtual, hybrid or offline format, depending on the feasibility. - supporting UNCTAD with the hiring of a national consultant in each MSG country. - leading and undertaking with the national consultants, non-tariff measure (NTM) data collection, voluntary sustainable standards (VSS) assessment and the key product export guide development in the MSG countries, including providing timely support in coordination with the government officials, stakeholder groups, international consultant and partner institutions. - contributing to the development of synergic linkages between green trade promotion and national sustainable development strategies which will be led by an international consultant under UNCTAD's supervision, including soliciting necessary inputs from a relevant person/agency/institution and ensuring that the development is coordinated with the MSG Secretariat and the PQII. - contributing to the drafting of a regional action plan and a proposal of coordination mechanism to the regional action plan, which will be led by UNCTAD in partnership with the MSG Secretariat, including soliciting necessary inputs from a relevant person/agency/institution and ensuring the coordination with partner institutions. - conducting communication and outreach activities including presenting the project in other institutions' workshops, forums, etc. and publishing reports, news items, etc. for websites and social media of UNCTAD and partner institutions. - monitoring progress on the MSG Green Trade project and other institutions' initiatives and activities in the Pacific. - reporting to UNCTAD regularly inclusive of the elements relating to the logical framework and monitoring plan. 2. Support to the MSG Secretariat to strengthen the regional economic integration, especially in regard of the MSG Green Trade Project, the PQII and the PRISE programme by : - supporting the MSG Secretariat's Trade and Economic Development Progamme under the supervision of the Programme Manager Trade & Economic Development to maximize the coordination and collaboration between the MSG Secretariat and UNCTAD for the MSG's economic integration. - identifying areas where the MSG Secretariat and UNCTAD can collaborate and create synergy with other partner institutions at the activity, output and outcome levels, particularly with respect to the operation of the MSG Green Trade Project, the PQII and the PRISE programme. (examples of collaboration areas: sharing contact lists of stakeholders; organizing back-to-back workshops; utilizing the MSG regular institutional meetings and established mechanisms). - support the MSG Secretariat in actively engaging with the partner institutions in order to facilitate and achieve such collaboration. - support the MSG Secretariat in exchanging information with other partner institutions on the MSG Green Trade Project, the PQII, the PRISE programme and other TIED work, as well as on the partners' initiatives, activities, workshops, forums, etc.. - building relationship with government officials from each MSG country, stakeholder groups including women and youth, and other partner institutions to facilitate the MSG multi-stakeholder partnership for the regional integration.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications : An advanced degree (Master's level or equivalent) in Trade, Economics, Finance, Development, Public Policy, or related field.

Experience : At least 6 years of professional experience required in public or private sector linked to business or public administration, project coordination, project management, trade and economic affairs. Moreover, the following experience would be an advantage. - Experience in the areas of Trade and/or economic development in Small Islands Developing States, preferably in the Pacific region - Experience of the MSG Trade Agreement and associated rules, procedures, requirements, including other regional trade agreements such as PICTA - Experience in project formulation and project management in similar organizations working with development partners (e.g., the UN organizations, the EU)

Language : Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Skills : OTHER SKILLS that would be an advantage are the followings. - Demonstrated understanding in the areas of Trade and/or economic development in Small Islands Developing States, preferably in the Pacific region - Demonstrated understanding of the MSG Trade Agreement and associated rules, procedures, requirements, including other regional trade agreements such as PICTA - In-depth contextual understanding of the challenges and barriers to trade in the Pacific including specificities of each Member in the MSG - Strong analytical skills in trade policy development analysis and implementation - Good understanding of government processes and facilities, including policies, strategies, assistance and incentives to stimulate and facilitate trade and investment in both domestic and export markets - Ability to network with multiple stakeholders and maintain good working relationship with member countries - Appreciation of the business culture in small island developing states such as MSG Member countries - Good analytical skills and ability to quickly grasp and convey complex issues simply and concisely - Strong negotiation skills, oral and written communication skills - Computer literate with strong capabilities in word and data processing, analysis and conducting research via the internet

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.