Programme Assistant, DCP/OA (Temporary), G5

Org. Setting and Reporting

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is currently implementing two regional programmes in Central Africa, funded by the European Union (EU), aimed at boosting trade in both goods and services which runs from 2025-2029. These initiatives, the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ECCAS ATCMA) and the Central Africa Services Trade Capacity Building Programme (ECCAS Services), seek to improve market access, enhance competitiveness, and promote economic integration across the region, while also advancing inclusive and sustainable trade practices. The programmes cover the 11 member states of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which include Angola, Burundi, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe. ECCAS ATCMA focuses on increasing intra-African trade, improving export competitiveness of SMEs, and reducing trade barriers, while ECCAS Services targets the liberalization and growth of services trade across these countries in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Both programmes emphasize the empowerment of women- and youth-led businesses to promote economic inclusion and sustainable trade practices. A local office in Yaoundé, Cameroon, hosts professional teams responsible for implementing both ECCAS ATCMA and ECCAS Services. The outputs expected from this job include: • Supporting the programme management and coordination of both ECCAS ATCMA and ECCAS Services, including at country level. • Supporting the achievement of targets set for implementation through support to the programme managers, particularly on recruitments, official travels, legal affairs (including MoUs), grants, and partnership agreements), procurement, staff administration, and related administrative actions.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the ECCAS ATCMA Programme Officer, in close collaboration with the ECCAS Services Programme Officer, and the general guidance of the Chief, Office for Africa, DCP, the Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Assists in the coordination of planning and preparation work for the two programmes; monitors status of programme proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval. • Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes and related topics or issues. • Reviews programme documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes programme documents to relevant parties upon approval. • Reviews budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system. • Serves as focal point for administrative coordination of programme implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc. • Compiles, summarizes and enters data on programme delivery; drafts related status reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of management. • Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc. • Provides general office assistance; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains files/records; organizes meetings, workshops; handles routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc. • Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. • 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. • 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years (three for candidates that have completed a university degree) of experience in programmes or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required. Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Umoja is desirable. Experience with working with Central Africa region is desirable. Previous experience in the UN common system is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIFrenchUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III Assessment Assessment will be undertaken through a comparative analysis of the applications. The assessment may also include a competency-based interview and/or other appropriate evaluation mechanisms. Special Notice The conditions of service are governed by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. This is a temporary appointment (parental leave) for 6 months and may be subject to extension. Since this is a parental leave cover the expectation is that the selected candidate will commence duties rapidly around mid July. 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. ITC also offers attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work/life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to hrs-jobs@intracen.org. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. ITC Internal staff on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, if selected, may be entitled to Special Post Allowance as per Staff Rule 3.10. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations 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. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. For information on salary and entitlements, please consult the International Civil Service Commission website: http://icsc.un.org THE USE OF AI AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS IS PROHIBITED AND ITS USE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. United Nations Considerations In accordance with the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with ITC if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, Inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on "Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side of the Inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances, and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in Inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised in Inspira will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No Fee ITC does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ITC are fraudulent and should be disregarded.