National Consultant - Risk Management Lead

Result of Service

Output 1 Report and Roadmap Validation Supported Participation in and technical support to stakeholder consultations to facilitate the validation of the Report and associated Roadmap(s), including consolidation of feedback from relevant agencies (by 30 April 2026). Output 2 Technical Inputs and Materials for Pilot Design and Stakeholder Engagement Developed: Preparation of technical inputs, consultation summaries, draft agendas, and supporting materials to inform the implementation workplan and stakeholder discussions on the proposed IRM pilot (including concept note review and preparatory engagement with BFDA and relevant agencies) (by 15 May 2026). Output 3 Technical Workshop Reporting and Documentation Prepared: Preparation of relevant reporting materials and documentation for the Technical Workshop, including summaries of discussions, key outcomes, and agreed follow-up actions (by 30 May 2026). Output 4 Awareness-Raising and Capacity-Building Materials Adapted: Relevant awareness-raising and capacity-building materials adapted to the Bhutanese context to support understanding of the IRM approach and pilot implementation (by 30 June 2026). Output 5 Agencies and Officers Registered on the IRM Online Training Curriculum: Agreed set of agencies and designated officers registered and enrolled in the online IRM training curriculum to support the launch of the course (by 31 August 2026).

Work Location

home-based in Bhutan

Expected duration

01.04.26 - 31.08.26

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), is implementing a three-year technical assistance project in Bhutan, funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF): “Modernizing Bhutan’s Border Management Ecosystem to Facilitate the Safe Trade of Agri-Food Products”. The project started in 2025-2027 is designed to address systemic challenges in Bhutan’s border management by introducing targeted reforms at the intersection of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance, risk-based border controls, and trade facilitation practices. Under Output 1, the project aims to institutionalize national border and risk management frameworks for selected border regulatory agencies (BRAs) to implement risk-based controls that improve SPS compliance while facilitating the safe trade of agricultural and food products. The goal is to support BFDA, the Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC), and other key agencies in transitioning from manual inspection practices toward a more systematic, data-driven risk management system aligned with World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) provisions and international best practices. Despite the importance of risk management, implementation remains limited in Bhutan. Agencies often lack formal risk criteria, inspection profiles, and integration with pre-arrival data. These limitations result in inefficient inspections, poor targeting of high-risk consignments, and avoidable trade delays. Addressing these challenges is both urgent and strategic, especially as Bhutan resumes its WTO accession process and commits to regulatory modernization. In Year 1 (2025), the project has assessed the current risk management and pre-arrival processing (PAP) systems in BFDA and DRC, RBP through desk research and semi-structured interviews, followed by a dedicated validation process. Based on the findings, the project developed actionable recommendations tailored to Bhutan’s institutional context. In Year 2 (2026), the project will support the rollout and institutionalization of selected and validated recommendations and targeted capacity-building activities. To this end, ITC will recruit a National Risk Management Coordinator to support Output 1 endeavours. The Consultant will ensure technical and operational coordination among national stakeholders, provide ongoing support to international experts and national counterparts, and help oversee the rollout and institutionalization of risk-based practices across relevant agencies. Description of Duties/Responsibilities Under the supervision of the responsible Project Officer from ITC’s Business-driven Trade and Investment Facilitation (BTIF) section at ITC, and in collaboration with the National Project Coordinator and international experts, the national consultant will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Technical Support, Facilitation and Stakeholder Engagement • Act as the national technical focal point for Output 1 activities. • Facilitate regular liaison among BFDA, DRC, Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) other border regulatory agencies (if applicable), and other key stakeholders. • Design, schedule and support stakeholder consultations, workshops, and technical meetings. • Ensure timely communication and follow-up with ITC and international experts. 2. Support the Implementation of Risk Management Technical Assistance and Reforms based on recommendations from the Diagnostic Assessment of Risk Management and PAP Frameworks • Support ITC and the national agencies in translating validated diagnostic recommendations into practical implementation actions and workplans. • Assist in the prioritization and sequencing of technical assistance in line with institutional capacities and operational needs. • Support the preparation of a dedicated series of technical assistance sessions with BFDA, DRC, RBP and other relevant agencies to support the development, adaptation, and application of risk criteria, inspection profiles, and standard operating procedures related to risk-based controls and pre-arrival processing. • Facilitate coordination among BFDA, DRC, RBP, and other relevant agencies to ensure coherent implementation. • Provide technical and operational support during pilot activities. • Collect and consolidate implementation feedback from stakeholders and contribute to continuous improvement of technical assistance and reform measures. • Support international experts in delivering requested areas of technical assistance related to the implementation of risk management. 3. Assist in Capacity-Building and awareness-raising related activities • Support the adaptation of awareness-raising material to the Bhutanese context and the development of capacity-building content for key stakeholders and beneficiaries. • Design and facilitate, if applicable, training and awareness-raising activities. • Support the roll-out of a capacity-building programme based on the RM online training curriculum developed under the project, and delivery of initial training sessions to priority agencies. • Follow up on capacity-building outcomes and identify further support needs. 4. Documentation, Monitoring, and Reporting • Maintain detailed records of project technical activities, decisions, and technical outputs under Output 1. • Track progress, identify risks or delays, and escalate issues to the ITC Project Officer, National Project Coordinator and ITC as needed. • Provide regular written updates and contribute to project reporting. 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 skills

• Postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA, PHD or other), master’s degree in international business management, economics, organizational management, international development, trade policy, or related field. • Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • At least five (5) years of experience working in technical roles related to project management, trade, trade facilitation, regulatory systems, SPS, or related fields. • Proven experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder projects, research, diagnosis, or assessments. • Familiarity with Bhutan’s border control system, key regulatory agencies, and SPS/import-export processes, is highly desirable. • Experience in working with international organizations or technical assistance projects is an asset. • The consultant should have completed the ITC Online Curriculum on Risk Management. Skills • Solid understanding of trade facilitation, particularly risk management in the context of border controls and SPS compliance. • Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to build trust with different audiences, including senior and mid-level staff in Customs administrations, Ministries, and other agencies • Excellent organizational, coordination, and communication skills. • Proficiency in MS Office and relevant data management tools.

Languages

• Dzongkha as a native language is mandatory. • Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.

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.