ATCMA-Continental Programme Manager (ICS - 10)

Result of ServiceThe goal of this role is to support the coordination and implementation of the ATCMA Continental Component, ensuring alignment, stakeholder engagement, and achievement of programme objectives across Africa. Work LocationEthiopia, Addis Ababa Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme is aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the European Union (EU). Funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this four-year programme aims to improve market access for specific value chains and increase the export competitiveness of African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in these sectors. The umbrella programme is structured around two intervention levels: 1) the Continental Component and 2) Sub-regional Components in five regional economic communities (RECs): COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC. The ATCMA Continental Component is structured around support to create a robust continental quality infrastructure and enable intra-African trade as well as facilitation for green transition at the continental level. Targeted technical interventions are designed to strengthen a continental regulatory framework that supports trade competitiveness through value addition in priority continental value chains and “Made in Africa” products. In addition to the technical activities included under the ATCMA Continental Component, a critical function of the Component is to ensure coordination between the Continental and Sub-regional Components to ensure the delivery of an overall coherent and impactful umbrella programme aligned to the strategic objectives of the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and RECs. Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Office for Africa, the overall guidance of the Director, DCP, and in close collaboration with the ATMCA-Continental Programme Coordinator at ITC HQ, the ATCMA-Continental Programme Manager located at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa will be responsible for providing both managerial and technical expertise to ensure the effective implementation and coordination of all ATCMA-Continental activities implemented with UNIDO. Specific responsibilities include: • Supports the coordination and implementation of the ATCMA-Continental Component, in close coordination with the ATCMA-Continental Liaison Advisor at the AfCFTA Secretariat, and ATCMA Sub-Regional Component Programme Managers to ensure maximum synergies between continental and REC level interventions. • Contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the ATCMA-Continental Component to ensure the achievement of general and specific objectives as outlined in the programme’s contractual documents; monitors and analyzes programme development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. • Assists in liaising and engaging with relevant stakeholders in the region, including the African Union Commission, AfCFTA Secretariat, Pan-African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) institutions, Africa Business Council (AfBC) and EU Delegation to the African Union, to ensure strong programme ownership and visibility, and alignment with AU and Member State priorities. • Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) ensuring alignment with financial targets and efficient resource allocation; and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources. • Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations: ensures the organization and coordination of annual meetings of the Overall ATCMA Steering Committee (ASC) and Continental Steering Committee (CSC) and periodic meetings of the Continental Technical Committee (CTC), representing the ATCMA Continental Component during these meetings. • Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Performs other duties as 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. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as development, engineering, international relations, trade law. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. Experience coordinating and managing large-scale programmes is desirable. Experience working with African development partners is desirable. Experience working with public/governmental and private sector institutions and officials in the African Union system is desirable. Experience in working on supporting SME competitiveness and market access and promoting trade integration and regional value chain development in Africa is desirable. Experience with programmes funded by the EU is desirable LanguagesFluency in English is required. Knowledge of French or any AU official languages is a plus. Additional InformationThis contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNOPS. Applicants must be authorized to work in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for obtaining a work visa and for covering any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. No FeeTHE 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.