International Consultant: Partnerships Outreach

Result of Service

The consultant will report progress against these deliverables to the PTF on a monthly basis, or as otherwise agreed with the supervisor. Performance will be assessed against the deliverables and timelines, based on monthly progress reviews with the PTF and periodic feedback from relationship owners and management. Month 1: Establish and operationalize the Partnership Pipeline Tracker, including a prioritized target partner contact list, relationship ownership assignments, and an outreach workplan. Submit the first monthly pipeline status report. Month 2: Update and maintain the Partnership Pipeline Tracker; prepare tailored engagement materials (partner briefs, outreach emails, talking points and presentations) for priority partners; coordinate outreach activities; and submit a monthly progress report summarizing engagements, opportunities and follow-up actions. Month 3: Maintain the Partnership Pipeline Tracker; support the preparation and coordination of outreach meetings with priority partners; monitor responses and follow-up actions; update engagement records; and submit a monthly partnership pipeline report with recommendations for management. Month 4: Continue managing and updating the Partnership Pipeline Tracker; support relationship owners throughout outreach activities; identify bottlenecks and high-priority partnership opportunities; prepare briefing materials as required; and submit the monthly progress report. Month 5: Maintain accurate partnership records and engagement tracking; coordinate follow-up meetings and communications; support the preparation of partnership documentation where applicable; and submit the monthly pipeline report highlighting confirmed opportunities, risks and next steps. Month 6: Update the Partnership Pipeline Tracker and engagement database; support negotiations and documentation for prospective partnerships; prepare management briefing notes and partnership summaries; and submit the monthly progress report. Month 7: Continue outreach coordination and partner engagement support; maintain all partnership tracking tools and documentation; assist in preparing announcement-ready materials for confirmed partnerships, where applicable; and submit the monthly pipeline report. Month 8: Maintain the Partnership Pipeline Tracker; monitor progress against partnership targets; support relationship owners in concluding priority engagements; prepare briefing materials for management; and submit the monthly progress report, including recommendations for the remaining implementation period. Month 9: Deliver the final updated Partnership Pipeline Tracker; complete all outstanding partnership documentation and engagement records; prepare a comprehensive final report summarizing outreach activities, partnership outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future engagement; and hand over all working files and knowledge products.

Work Location

ITC Headquarters (Geneva, Switzerland)

Expected duration

9 months from ASAP

Duties and Responsibilities

The ITC Global SME Ministerial Meeting is the world's only dedicated country-level platform for Ministers responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Following the inaugural 2025 Ministerial in Johannesburg, the 2027 edition — hosted in the Geneva Trade Hub in partnership with Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) — will take stock of progress, announce new partnerships, and advance concrete co-creation and co-investment solutions among governments, the private sector, and development partners. Over 80 countries and hundreds of public- and private-sector delegates are expected to attend. Private sector engagement is a core strategic priority for ITC in the lead-up to the 2027 Ministerial. A cross-divisional Partnerships Task Force (PTF), led by the Division of Sustainable and Inclusive Trade (DSIT) has been established to identify, cultivate, and coordinate strategic relationships with private sector partners, foundations, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. To deliver on its workplan, the PTF requires dedicated support to implement day-to-day outreach activities, maintain the partnership pipeline, and coordinate engagement between relationship owners and target partners. Purpose of the Assignment The Partnerships Outreach Consultant will provide dedicated operational and coordination support to the PTF to implement its outreach activities, ensuring that engagement with prospective and existing private sector partners is timely, well-organised, and consistent with ITC's private sector engagement strategy and value proposition. Scope of Work / Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of Director DSIT and the direct guidance of the PTF coordination team, the consultant will: • Maintain and update the Partnership Pipeline Tracker, including prospective partners, assigned leads, engagement status, and follow-up actions. • Support the categorisation and mapping of existing and prospective private sector partners by category, geographic region, and industry. • Consolidate contact details for prioritised target partners and support the identification of relationship owners as focal points. • Adapt the ITC private sector value proposition and pitch materials for specific partners, in coordination with OED/CE. • Draft and issue invitations and outreach communications, and support relationship owners in preparing tailored engagement plans, defining the ask, modality, and timeline for each priority partner. • Coordinate scheduling and logistics for outreach meetings, calls, and follow-ups with priority partners. • Track responses and engagement progress, flagging priority partners or issues requiring PTF or management attention. • Prepare regular status updates, briefing notes, and summary reports for the PTF, in line with SME Ministerial briefing cycles. • Support documentation of confirmed partnerships and formal commitments, and assist in preparing announcement-ready materials for flagship partnerships. • Support the preparation of the private sector agenda and structure for Ministerial-related activities. • Perform other related duties as required to support the PTF's work programme. Copyright clause: The consultant has to ensure to have obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform their 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 skills

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in international relations, business administration, economics, communications, or a related field. • A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. • At least 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in partnership development, resource mobilisation, business development, stakeholder engagement, or a related area. • Demonstrated experience coordinating outreach or engagement activities involving multiple stakeholders, ideally including private sector, foundations, or international organisations. • Experience with CRM or pipeline-tracking tools and maintaining structured contact/engagement databases. • Prior experience supporting high-level events, conferences, or ministerial-level processes is an asset. • Familiarity with international trade, SME development, or development financing is an asset. Skills and competencies: • Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple work streams and deadlines simultaneously. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft polished, partner-facing materials. • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across divisions and with external partners at senior levels. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); familiarity with data visualisation or CRM tools is an asset. • Discretion in handling sensitive partner information and correspondence.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required • Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.