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Senior Officer, Trade in Services Post level: P-4

Division/Section: Division of Market Development (DMD) / Sector Competitiveness (SC)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland.

THE ITC Vacancy Notice No.: ITC/VN/06/2013

Deadline for application: 19 March 2013 (midnight Geneva time)

Entry date: as soon as possible

Duration of appointment: Two years, renewable. 

The work of the International Trade Centre (ITC) is focused on delivering ‘Export Impact for Good’. We target the private sector, trade support institutions and the promotion of government policies which contribute to competitive trade and sustainable and inclusive development. We support developing and transition countries in seeking out and promoting export opportunities – leading to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. If you are a passionate and committed individual who wants to make a lasting difference, then ITC is the place to be. 

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING 

The Sector Competitiveness (SC) section within the Division of Market Development (DMD) aims to enhance the competitiveness of producers and exporters, with the overall aim of improving the livelihoods of beneficiaries and contributing to employment creation in developing countries. SC promotes a holistic value chain perspective to assist small and medium enterprises, trade support institutions, sector stakeholders and associations to:

• develop market strategies in specific product/sectors and support them in enhancing product value; 

• match supply-side requirements to demands in destination markets; 

• convert commercial opportunities into actual business, for instance by facilitating linkages with buyers and marketing advice in export markets; 

• support enterprise trade development, for instance by strengthening export marketing, product and service delivery; 

• design and implement sector strategies and sector development programmes in coordination with ITC programmes on export strategy and enterprise competitiveness . 

The Services Sector Development Team falls within the Sector Competitiveness section. The overall goal of the Team is to deliver the ITC Trade in Services Strategy focused on increased exports of services in developing countries and contributing to income generation and job creation and increased entrepreneurial opportunities in beneficiary countries. 

MAIN PURPOSE AND KEY RESULTS EXPECTED 

The goal of this job function is to provide the ITC with technical expertise in trade in services. The candidate will develop and implement technical assistance trade in services projects and activities, as well as provide expert knowledge to the organization and beneficiaries in the field. The performance of the job will be measured in terms of the quality of technical expertise provided and the contribution towards the achievement of the team goals and strategy, particularly relating to increased exports of services, employment and income and linked to the achievement of the MDGs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 


Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Sector Competitiveness, the incumbent will:

• Support the development of ITC’s Service Sector Development Team in line with ITC’s overall trade in services strategy and ITC’s Strategic Plan;

• Support partners in conducting value chain (VC) analyses for selected services in developing countries; 

• Based on the VC analysis, support Trade Support Institutions (TSIs), policy makers and stakeholders in formulating strategies for strengthening the competitiveness of selected services industries; 

• Advise and enable services enterprises on the identification of business prospects, selection of distribution channels, strategic alliances and joint venture opportunities as well as the marketing of services; 

• Design and implement technical co-operation projects in sector development; 

• Communicate regularly with- and provide technical support to ITC’s projects for trade in services in other divisions; 

• Support the Programme Manager in Results Based Management (RBM), in particular in monitoring the programme’s outcomes and impact on trade in services; 

• Support knowledge management trade in services. This includes the dissemination of best practices and case studies, producing publications in the area of trade in services, including market briefs, guidebooks, manuals and export opportunity surveys; Regularly update ITC’s Trade in Services web-page; 

• Liaise and build professional relationships with associations engaged in the export of services and with other international organizations working in trade in services; 

• Perform other duties as required. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree in business administration, international trade, international economics or a related field. Note: A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

WORK EXPERIENCE: A minimum of seven years of relevant demonstrated professional experience, at a progressively higher level of responsibility. A part of the professional experience should be in relation to services development in developing countries and/or transition economies. Proven track record in utilizing a demand driven approach to capacity building in relation to trade related technical assistance as well as in co-ordinating needs and interests in designing and implementing technical cooperation projects in the services sectors. Proven operational experience at the sector level, encompassing activities relating to sector strategy work, support to sector specific trade support institutions or improving of exporter competitiveness. Proven leadership role in either a public or private sector organization in the area of sector development. Sector development and Value Chain development experience. Proven track record in developing and managing sector-development programmes for services sector in developing countries and/or transition economies. Proven experience in programme management, in particular in Results Based Management. 

LANGUAGES: Advanced knowledge of English. Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an advantage. 

HOW TO APPLY Candidates are required to complete an on-line application. To apply, please visit the ITC website at http://www.intracen.org/jobs which provides all related instructions on how to complete the on-line personal history form (PHF). Candidates should also submit a motivation letter.