National Project Coordinator (LICA 10) - Part time 75

Result of ServiceThe goal of this job function is to support the management and implementation of the Digital Trade Growth project in Ethiopia. Work LocationAddis Ababa, Ethiopia Expected duration11 months, with possibility of extension Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND: The position is located in the section Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness (SEC). The Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness (SEC) section helps developing country SMEs address challenges around trading in global value-chains advisory solutions in access to finance, market and branding, packaging and a number of other areas. SEC also provides more specialized services in selected industries including Agribusiness, Apparel, IT and IT enabled services and Tourism. The section manages two ITC programmes, Value Added to Trade and e-Solutions, which are directly linked to ITC’s strategic focus area of connecting SMEs to value-chains. The Digital Trade Growth project is a one-year pilot initiative (2026 - 2027) led by the and the International Trade Centre (ITC), with funding from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Using a market systems approach, the project leverages digital trade as a driver of inclusive economic growth and decent job creation, by strengthening the competitiveness and export readiness of digitally enabled SMEs and service providers in Ghana and Ethiopia. The project will contribute to national digitalisation, trade and private sector development priorities in Ghana and Ethiopia and is designed as a one-year inception and pilot phase. The primary objective of this phase is not large-scale delivery, but to establish the analytical, partnership and design foundations for a potential subsequent multi-year implementation project. The inception phase will focus on the following core workstreams: • Market systems analyses (MSA) of the digital trade ecosystems in Ghana and Ethiopia, with a focus on digital services and agritech, to identify key actors, market functions, rules, incentives, systemic constraints and leverage points for change. • A dedicated gender and inclusion assessment, examining differentiated opportunities and barriers for women, youth and other under-represented groups in digital trade and agritech markets, and identifying market-based entry points for addressing these constraints. • An environmental and climate assessment, in line with ADA and ITC guidelines, to identify environmental and climate risks, mitigation measures and opportunities to enhance positive environmental and climate outcomes through digital and agritech solutions. • Ecosystem and partner mapping, assessing the incentives, capacities and “will and skill” of key public and private actors (including BSOs, hubs, firms, financial institutions and relevant Austrian/European stakeholders) to drive systemic and scalable change. • Designing and testing a limited number of light-touch pilot interventions, to validate assumptions, partner incentives and feasibility of proposed market-systems pathways. • Development of a full programme design for an implementation phase, including a Theory of Change, logframe, implementation strategy, budget and evidence-based recommendations to ADA on whether and how to proceed with a multi-year programme in Ghana, Ethiopia, or both. The project will adopt a market systems development (MSD) approach, with a strong emphasis on analysis, facilitation and learning. As an inception and pilot initiative, the approach will be evidence-driven, adaptive and partner-led, ensuring that findings from the assessments and pilots directly inform the design, scope and investment rationale of a future implementation phase. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness, and in close collaboration with the Associate Programme Officer, the National Project Coordinator in Ethiopia will be responsible for the following duties: • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned project activities, including during inception and pilot phases; monitors and analyzes project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning and facilitating workshops and other interactive sessions, including stakeholder consultations and validation workshops, and assisting in developing action plans to inform pilot interventions and future programme design. • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources, including contributions to market systems analysis, ecosystem mapping and sector diagnostics relevant to digital trade and agritech. • Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, with attention to digital trade, private sector development, gender and environmental considerations. • Undertakes survey initiatives and analytical assessments; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses; identifies problems and issues; and prepares conclusions and recommendations to inform pilot activities and programme design. • Prepares various written outputs, including draft background papers, analytical sections of reports and studies, inputs to market systems analysis, pilot documentation, and contributions to the drafting of project proposals for subsequent implementation phases. • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences and workshops, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing documentation and presentations. • Undertakes outreach activities and contributes to training workshops, seminars and pilot-related events; makes presentations on assigned topics and activities, as required. • Participates in or leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, engagement with government officials and other stakeholders, and drafting mission summaries and inputs to mission reports. • Coordinates activities related to budget and funding at national level (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reporting, financial tracking, etc.) and prepares related documentation and inputs, in line with ITC procedures. • Performs other duties as required. Copyright : The personnel 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 the prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required. Qualifications/special skillsEDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. EXPERIENCE: Experience working on projects in the digital and agricultural sectors, especially in Ethiopia is desirable. Experience working on projects following a Market Systems Development approach is desirable. Experience in Trade Related Technical Assistance in developing countries is desirable. Experience advising companies on export, investment or business development is desirable. Experience engaging with senior government officials, policymakers, the private sector, and civil society is desirable. Experience in partnership building and effective fundraising is desirable. COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: Computer literacy (Microsoft Suite) required. Familiarity with UN system management tools and processes.Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. LanguagesFluency in English, (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. Additional InformationThis vacancy is open to locally recruited applicants residing in Ethiopia with valid work permit. This 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 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.