National Consultant: Trade Facilitation Lead for South Sudan

Result of ServiceOutput 1: A monthly progress report compiling alternatively detailed mapping, gap analysis, roadmaps, and/or recommendations for trade facilitation is developed and validated by ITC – 31 October 2025 Output 2: A monthly progress report compiling alternatively detailed mapping, gap analysis, roadmaps, and/or recommendations for trade facilitation is developed and validated by ITC – 30 November 2025 Output 3: A monthly progress report compiling alternatively detailed mapping, gap analysis, roadmaps, and/or recommendations for trade facilitation is developed and validated by ITC – 31 December 2025 Work LocationHome-based (mandatory) in South Sudan. Expected duration3 months - from ASAP Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe International Trade Centre (ITC) has a unique mandate in the United Nations system to promote increased competitiveness of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing, transition and least developed countries and assisting them to better use trade as a platform for growth, development, and employment creation. As such, ITC supports these countries to improve their business environment and facilitate better management of border operations, including through the implementation of inclusive and sustainable trade facilitation reforms and in particular the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). About the projects: From August 2023 to June 2027, ITC implements the Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) funded by the European Union (EU) to promote economic growth in the East African Community (EAC) through private sector development and export promotion focused on selected sectors (i.e., avocado, cocoa, coffee, essential oils, French beans, gum Arabic, horticulture, leather, packaging, spices, and tea). MARKUP II seeks to enhance sustainable and inclusive intra-African trade, pan-African trade, and trade with the EU through value addition, compliance, trade facilitation, investment, technology transfer, and institutional support. Among other trade facilitation interventions under MARKUP II, ITC supports the Republic of South Sudan through Sub-activity 1.1.3.2 to enhance risk management practices among non-custom border agencies to optimise border controls and inspections on priority value chains. A particular focus will be given to capacity-building on and identifying opportunities for integrated risk management. An integrated approach by all regulatory agencies helps ensure the efficiency of risk management at the border, as it creates a common risk management language and processes, leads to more efficient cooperation among regulatory authorities and saves resources by enabling regulators to pool respective risk management expertise, IT infrastructure, software tools and processes when developing and applying risk profiles. To this end, ITC seeks to engage services of a TF lead to support the international expert(s) in conducting risk management assessment among border regulatory agencies and capacity-building activities for border officers. In parallel, from January 2025 to December 2028, ITC implements the Green and Resilient Agriculture and Climate Economy (GRACE) in South Sudan funded by the European Union is a joint collaborative initiative of the FAO, WFP and ITC. It has an overall goal of promoting green, sustainable, and climate-resilient economic development by contributing to increased food and nutrition security, resilience to shocks, and job creation in South Sudan. Under GRACE, ITC seeks to support an enabling business environment; supporting market development, value addition and quality compliance capacities through training, advisory, and experience sharing; create market linkages; and build capacities to facilitate regional, continental and global trade integration for South Sudan. Among other interventions under GRACE, ITC supports the Republic of South Sudan through Result Area 2.3.3.2: \"Provide advisory and training to streamline the trade facilitation roadmap for effective implementation of trade facilitation reforms and to strengthen the capacity of the NTFC.\" In this context, ITC seeks to hire a national consultant – “Trade Facilitation Lead for South Sudan” – to serve as technical advisor on trade facilitation initiatives under the EU-funded MARKUP II programme and GRACE project. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES The national consultant – “Trade Facilitation Lead” – will work under the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer on Trade and Investment Facilitation and the overall guidance and technical direction of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Advisor both at the ITC headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Throughout the assignment, the Consultant will accordingly perform the following duties: 1. Stakeholder engagement and coordination for trade facilitation activities in South Sudan • Foster and maintain positive working relations with public officials, private sector representatives and other key stakeholders to ensure smooth project implementation and effective collaboration on Trade Facilitation activities. This includes briefing and engaging government officials, private sector stakeholders, development partners and other relevant entities to discuss and advertise project outcomes and insights before, during, and after field missions. • In close coordination with relevant ITC Office of Africa officer, act as liaison for the purpose of Trade Facilitation activities between ITC Trade and Investment Facilitation team and: o National and/or regional stakeholders involved in Trade Facilitation activities, including international organizations (e.g., EAC Secretariat), government counterparts (e.g., Ministry of Trade, Customs), Border Regulatory Agencies (BRA), SMEs, private sector organizations, field consultants, and other stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of Trade Facilitation activities. o Other UN agencies and development partners evolving in the Trade Facilitation area in the region to align and find synergies in the delivery of Trade Facilitation activities. 2. Technical and strategic guidance on Trade Facilitation Reforms in South Sudan • Provide advisory to help guide the design, implementation, and refinement of trade facilitation interventions balancing beneficiaries’ expectations and project’s objectives and expected outcomes. This includes hands-on inputs and refining trade facilitation interventions, ensuring interventions are tailored to the specific needs of the project and the local context. • Carries out research on selected aspects of the project and programme, operations and other activities, etc., and review and/or analyze emerging issues and trends • Participates or contribute to data collection exercise: this means assist with design of data collection tools and analyses and interprets responses. • Identify problems and issues to be addressed and recommend corrective actions, liaises with relevant parties, identify and track follow-up actions, and when as required, assist in developing the action plan for the client to manage the change. • Contributes to the development, review and finalization of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Regularly organize and lead meetings with relevant actors and partners to monitor the progress of trade facilitation initiatives as required by the project objectives and timelines. • Participate and/or organize field missions of the Trade and Investment Facilitation team, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. Event management • Assist in the planning/facilitating workshops and/or participation to conferences following a collaborative approach and ensuring high value for money thanks to tangible technical results while managing project partners expectations. This includes checking positions beforehand, reviewing agenda with project partners, identifying topics and participants as required. • Prepare participant lists, send invitations, and manage follow-up communications to ensure efficient coordination. • Ensure targeted participation in training sessions, achieving or exceeding predefined benchmarks for participant engagement. • Document events comprehensively by preparing detailed meeting minutes, and workshop reports • Monitor and analyse specific aspects of project development and implementation Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform 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 the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind. Qualifications/special skillsMaster’s Degree or higher in development studies, law, international business, international trade, economics, or related fields. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience working in trade facilitation or trade-related technical assistance projects. • Demonstrated experience in project management, particularly in multi-stakeholder projects. • Strong established network within relevant government agencies (e.g. Ministry of Trade, Customs), and private sector actors. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: • Previous experience in implementing projects in the East Africa region will be considered a strong asset. • Experience working on projects funded by international organizations, such as the European Union, GIZ, or other multilateral development entities, is highly desirable REQUIRED SKILLS: • Excellent understanding of international trade, trade-related policies and multilateral trade agreements. • Advanced project management skills, including leading teams, project planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting. • Good knowledge of trade facilitation measures and of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). • Strong networking skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government and private sector actors. • DESIRABLE SKILLS: • Very organized and meticulous with a great sense of detail. • Ability to work independently under limited supervision. • Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines. Languages• Excellent proficiency in English is mandatory. • Proficiency in French and other languages spoken in South Sudan is considered an asset. Additional InformationNot available. 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.