Closing date: Sunday, 26 April 2015
Advertisement Junior Professional Officer
International Trade Centre
Closing date: 26 th April 2015 I
General information
Title: Junior Professional Officer
Country: Ethiopia
Location (City): Addis Ababa
Agency: International Trade Centre, Regional Office Africa (Addis Ababa)
Duration of Assignment: Initially one year with the possibility to extend up to 3 years
Grade: P1 step 1 or P2 step 1 in the first year, depending on the level of education and relevant working experience
Note :
this post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer
(JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is
addressed exclusively to people with the Dutch nationality. For criteria
see the website of Nedworc Foundation:
http://www.nedworcfoundation.nl/Index.htm?hoofdpath=/NL/JPO/General%20Information.htm&ho
ofdhash
Please read the criteria and FAQ section carefully before considering applying
Duties, responsibilities and Output Expectations
General
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United
Nations and the World Trade Organization, focusing in particular on
developing the export capabilities of small and medium-sized businesses
in developing and transition economies. ITC is 100% 'Aid for Trade',
supporting trade that delivers inclusive and sustainable development
results.
ITC is setting up a new corporate office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to
support the development of trade capacity in African partner countries.
The functions of this office is to contribute to ITC's country
intelligence, develop and maintain close relations with partners in
programme countries in particular with the African Union and to help
coordinate ITC's various activities at the country and regional levels.
In addition, the office will contribute to designing and implementing
country- and region-specific projects and to mobilize donor support
based on trade-relate needs and priorities expressed by African partner
countries.
The Junior Professional Officer will assist the head of ITC's office in
Addis Ababa in performing these functions by providing relevant and
timely trade policy expertise. The goal of this job function is to
support and build ITC presence on the ground in Africa through
coordination with the African Union, UNECA, UNDP and foreign Missions in
Ethiopia. It will also serve to strengthen the relationship with
Ethiopia.
1. Provide timely analytical information and coherent trade policy advice
- Keep abreast of
economic and trade developments in Africa, including regional economic
integration, undertake research on issues relevant to ITC's work in the
region and prepare/update country profiles and briefing notes.
- Support the head of the Office through high level meetings and prepare high quality and actionable follow-up in a timely manner.
- Analyse, compile
and prepare papers/notes and presentations for relevant policy and
operational discussions related to ITC's work.
- Draft speeches,
forewords and other published statements for the Head of the ITC Office,
review and finalize talking points based on inputs from Headquarters.
2. Contribute to formulate and implement ITC's technical assistance to programme countries in Africa
- Assist in
preparation of field missions as required in connection with needs
assessment and project design, project implementation, monitoring and
evaluation.
- Undertake analysis of trade development needs using ITC needs assessment methodologies;
- Assist in drafting technical assistance projects.
- Actively engage
with HQ Staff to acquire information on substantive project development
and implementation, as and when required.
- Provide support towards regular performance measurement and assist in the preparation of progress reports.
- Serve as a focal
point, coordinate logistics and prepare substantive documentation for
high level headquarters missions and special events in coordination with
senior management staff and/or concerned units/projects.
3.
Provide strategic inputs and contribute to the successful coverage,
integration and coordination of ITC's work in national and regional fora
including UN Country Teams
- Contribute to
coordination and review of preparatory inputs of ITC's substantive
contribution to the United Nations Country team, roundtables and other
key events in close consultation with counterparts in government,
bilateral and multilateral partners.
- Represent ITC in public and private stakeholder meetings.
- Liaise with other development partners and contribute to effective coordination of ITC's work.
- Organize and coordinate thematic group meetings in support of ITC projects, as and when required.
- Contribute to ITC's visibility in Africa by preparing news and media content.
- Perform any other related duties as required.
Training component: Learning elements and expectations
Through the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer will:
- Gain knowledge in trade development issues in Africa;
- Have a strong
knowledge of how trade policy affects competitiveness as well as public-
private interaction for informing trade policy decision making;
- Develop a clear
understanding of trade related technical assistance in selected partner
countries and also the design of solutions that are country driven as
well as making the private sector a key partner in solving export trade
issues;
- Have acquired a good understanding of ITC's methodologies for conducting needs assessment and project design;
- Be able to
understand how services of Trade Promotion Agencies and the UN agencies
support trade development as well as build capacity of countries to use
export trade as a direct tool for addressing poverty reduction
challenges
The JPO training programme includes the following learning elements:
- The Junior
Professional Officer will be involved in analysing the economic and
trade related environment in African partner countries and in tailoring
trade-related technical assistance according to the needs identified.
- The JPO will
participate in relevant conferences and selected field visits in order
to gain a better understanding of ITC's work on the ground.
- The JPO position
includes a Duty Travel and Training Allowance (DTTA) of $ 4,000 per year
to be used for learning activities related to the assignment and career
development.
Supervision
Title of supervisor: The JPO will work Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the ITC Office in Addis Ababa
Content and methodology of supervision
The JPO will, in collaboration with the Head, prepare a personal work
plan which will identify the key objectives and actions to be achieved
as well as a personal development plan for the JPO. It is expected that
the JPO will work independently to a large extent however, the Head will
be on hand to provide coaching and mentoring when required. In addition
to regular informal feedback the Head will provide formal feedback to
the JPO through the performance appraisal system. Following an agreed
work plan a performance discussion will take place mid-term and then a
final evaluation discussion will take place at the end of year review.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Advanced university degree in trade policy, economics, business administration, development studies or a related field.
Note
A first level university degree in trade policy, economics, business
administration, development studies or a related field and at least 3
years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the
advanced university degree.)
Experience
- Preferably two
with a maximum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in
economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of
economic principles in development programmes or related area.
- Previous experience in formulating technical assistance projects would be desirable.
Languages
- Advanced English is necessary and working knowledge of French desirable.
- Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.
Mandatory knowledge and skills
- Advanced skills in economic and trade analysis
- Good
understanding of the international trading system, TRTA environment and
recent trends in trade development particularly related to trade
development needs and challenges in Africa
- Good communication skills including drafting and writing of technical reports
- Ability to take responsibility and work with minimum supervision;
- Basic knowledge
of relevant project management methodologies, processes and standards. .
Ability to carry out research and write clearly and concisely.
Desirable knowledge and skills
- Knowledge of the UN, WTO, African Union and other trade-related organizations.
Background information on Agency/Department/Section
The new ITC Office in Addis will comprise of a Head of Office (D1). It
will report to the Office of the Executive Director The position will
imply interaction with all Sections in ITC, in particular with Office
for Africa. The position implies work on all type of ITC activities and
projects.
Information on living conditions at Duty Station
Climate
There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.
Security
Official ITC (UN) visitors to Ethiopia require a security clearance to
enter the country and further require a security briefing and security
clearance / travel notification to travel outside of Addis Ababa. Crime
in Addis Ababa is similar to that of many African capital cities. Addis
Ababa city centre is relatively safe. Housing for staff must comply with
the UN Minimum Operating Security Standards.
Health
Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health
certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also
required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera- infected
area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia. Both UNECA and UNHCC
have medical facilities and there are several other hospitals and
clinics available.
How to apply
For information on how to apply please click here.
Or copy the following web link in your browser HTTP://WWW.INTRACEN.ORG/ITC/ABOUT/WORKING-WITH-ITC/ITC-CAREERS/HOW-TO-APPLY/
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious
consideration. Applications received after the deadline (26th April
2015) will not be accepted. 1 Note this information is taken from
Security Advance for UN Visitors to Addis Ababa - Ethiopia provided by
the Department of Safety and Security, April 2013
