Associate Programme Advisor, Fibres, Textiles and Clothing (LICA 9)

Result of Service

The goal of this job function is to provide reliable support and effective coordination to ensure the successful development and implementation of projects, especially GTEX Egypt which is one of the five country projects implemented under GTEX/MENATEX programme.

Work Location

Cairo, Egypt

Expected duration

One year, with possibility of extension

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: This position is located in the International Trade Centre’s Section on Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness within the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions The Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness (SEC) Section helps developing country micro-small medium size enterprises (MSMEs) to address the challenges around sustainable value-chain development, catalysing sector-wide transformation, and improving market linkages – including using new digital channels. The Fibres, Textiles and Clothing (FTC) unit improves the international competitiveness of the fibres, textiles and clothing as well as leather sector in developing countries. Working along the value chain, special emphasis is given on how the sector can improve its competitiveness, while addressing important development aspects such as women’s empowerment, youth employment and contributing to reducing climate change. FTC emphasizes the business case for addressing these overarching challenges while helping companies as well as the T&C sector in selected countries to meet ever increasing market requirements. The unit builds capacity of SMEs to take over additional functions along the value chain at production, pre- and post-production stages. In addition to the work with SMEs directly, the programme supports the institutional ecosystem around the sector to improve support services creating a holistic approach to the sector. As part of this approach, the FTC unit puts special emphasis on south-south cooperation as an effective tool to improve performance, link stakeholders across the value chain and to tap into new markets. After having suffered disproportionally from the disruptions of Covid-19, SMEs in the sector are in the process of restarting their businesses and re-entering markets. At the same time, they are being pushed to show they are producing in a responsible and sustainable way in response to increasing market pressure and mandatory due diligence and eco-design requirements being put in place by markets such as the EU, Switzerland and the United States. The EU Strategy for sustainable & circular textiles and about 16 regulations in the making by the EU will affect the T&C sector, both in Europe and those that would like to sell in Europe. The market will, thus, impose new challenges to developing country textile and clothing manufacturers that need to be addressed. FTC flagship programme is Global Textile and Clothing (GTEX) that enhances the export competitiveness of the T&C in selected countries. Phase II of the GTEX/MENATEX programme helps the four MENA countries of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia as well as Sri Lanka to stay on top of emerging market requirements for the textiles and clothing (T&C) sector by moving towards greener practices and being able to adhere to strict forthcoming EU regulations for T&C products sold in Europe. Being a key sector for exports and employment in all five countries, the project will ensure that employment is retained, and new higher value-added decent jobs are being created through the exports of quality, socially and environmentally conscious products. The project will also contribute to the required systemic change of the T&C industry towards more environmental sustainability, circularity and digitalization RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer, Fibres, Textiles and Clothing (FTC) and the general supervision of the Programme Manager (FTC), the Associate Programme Advisor will be responsible for the following duties: • Works with key clients to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects activities.; monitors and analyzes specific aspects of programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Carries out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities, etc., to include collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources. • Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies. • Assists in performing consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change. • Participates in survey initiatives; assists with design of data collection tools; issues data collection tools, reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions. • Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provides administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposed participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc. • Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars, etc.; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. • Contributes to developing communication tools and marketing materials for outreach purposes at country project level (flyers, case studies, newsletters, presentations, web success stories, etc.) and provides inputs to communication tools developed at programme level; • Performs other duties as required. NOTE – The selected candidate must be available for duty travel for short periods. 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 skills

EDUCATION: An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in the above subjects in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, administration or area related to international trade. Experience in projects in the fibre, textiles and clothing or manufacturing sector desirable. Experience with or supporting enterprises and business support organizations in developing countries to benefit from international trade desirable. COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: Knowledge of trade policy aspects important to FTC trade (e.g. rules of origin requirements in trade agreements). Knowledge on circularity and traceability solutions for the T&C or leather sector. 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 assist with 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. • 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. • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Languages

Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

This contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNOPS. This vacancy is open for locally residing Egypt nationals. 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 Fee

THE 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.