Senior Technical Adviser (Export Quality Management), DECI/SEC (FT-LTD), P5

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is based in the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions (DECI) and attached to the Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Section (SEC). DECI works to connect micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to international value chains, strengthen business support organizations and related ecosystems, increase MSME compliance with quality standards and promote digital trade and entrepreneurship. DECI focuses on innovative and inclusive market-driven approaches to strengthen the international competitiveness of MSMEs from developing countries. Within the Section for Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness (SEC), ITC’s Export Quality Management (EQM) team improves the competitiveness of enterprises in developing countries/economies in transition by enhancing their capacity to meet technical requirements in export markets and overcome technical barriers to trade (TBT) and comply with sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS). A 2026 evaluation of ITC’s EQM work found it highly effective, with strong customer satisfaction, and representing a unique integrated approach to building export quality from creating the ecosystem to taking companies to market. As ITC enters a new strategy period 2026-2030, the challenge is to consolidate this successful approach while building scale and embracing the rapid technological and governance changes remaking world trade. The goal of this position is to develop and lead the consolidation and modernization of ITC’s EQM offer while delivering the quality component in ITC's trade-related technical assistance programmes and ensuring high impact delivery through a pool of highly qualified expert advisors and a global network of certified trainers and counsellors (Quality Champions) trained by ITC.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief SEC and the general guidance of the Director DECI, the Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Takes the lead to develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects, and designs the export quality component of technical assistance projects and programmes.; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment and works closely with programme managers on issues related to export quality and standards.; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions. • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Directs research and programme evaluation on EQM and presents information gathered from diverse sources; Keeps abreast of ongoing developments in EQM and maintain regular contact with key global players and relevant partner institutions in the area of quality, standardization, metrology, conformity assessment, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. • Coordinates policy development; reviews the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies; regularly updates the strategy of the EQM practice reflecting changing requirements in the area of quality and standards in world markets. • Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions; carries out diagnosis of the quality and SPS infrastructure in developing countries and economies in transition and analyses problems related to TBT and SPS • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities: Provides guidance to, and supervises the work of trainers and expert advisers on enterprise value chain — export quality management; provides advisory services to trade support institutions (national standards bodies, metrology services, conformity assessment bodies) to strengthen their capability to support SMEs for market access • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. Manages and expands ITC's network of intermediary organizations specialized in export quality and standards, international quality experts and ITC's certified network of trainers and counsellors (Quality Champions) in export quality • Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.; works closely with other technical staff of ITC to implement an export quality management practice in the organization • Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentors staff • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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. • LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. • JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as science, engineering, technology. Note: 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Successful completion of either/or degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years (12 years with a first level university degree) of experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in at least two of the following areas: standards, quality management, metrology, conformity assessment (testing, certification, and inspection) is required. Experience working in or with developing countries or economies in transition on standards/quality management is required. Experience in export related quality management is required. Experience of leading the implementation of quality/food safety systems at enterprise level is required. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish is desirable. 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 III

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level ISpanishUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The conditions of service are governed by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. This is a fixed term appointment for an initial period of one (1) year. The candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTA-limited") for project related needs. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. At the completion of the project funding of the position, the external candidate selected holding a FTA-limited will be separated upon expiration of appointment in accordance with staff rule 9.4. ITC staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA-limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. 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. Applications from women and nationalities from developing and least developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. 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.