Technical Advisor, Business Support Organizations (NPSA 10)

Result of Service

The goal of this job function is to provide technical advice and capacity-building support for the implementation of Outcome 3 activities.

Work Location

Hanoi, Viet Nam

Expected duration

Six (6) months, with possible extension

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It is the only multilateral organization fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth through trade and international business development. Through its projects and programmes, ITC contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advances the global Aid for Trade agenda. ITC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland (www.intracen.org). ITC is seeking a Technical Advisor (Business Support Organizations) for the SwissTrade+ Programme, implemented by ITC and funded by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The overall objective of this five-year programme is to support Viet Nam in making its exports more sustainable, resilient, and higher in value-added. To achieve this, the programme focuses on the following key Outcomes: • Outcome 1: Development, adjustment and implementation of trade policies is more coordinated and effective. • Outcome 2: Trade expertise and policymaking capacity of mid-level and senior-level government officials and trade experts is enhanced. • Outcome 3: Service delivery of Vietnamese public and private institutions to companies in the area of trade is enhanced Collectively, these interventions aim to enable Vietnamese SMEs to better leverage free trade agreements (FTAs), comply with social and environmental standards, and integrate more effectively into regional and global value chains. The programme is managed by ITC’s Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP), with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) serving as the main national counterpart. The position is based in the project office in Hanoi, Viet Nam. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, the direct supervision of the Team Leader, and in close collaboration with the BSOs experts in HQ, Geneva, the Technical Advisor will be responsible for the following duties to support the implementation of Outcome 3: Capacity building and technical content: • Provide technical support to the roll-out activities under Outcome 3 related to support for business support organizations (BSOs), including defining activity content with ITC technical experts, producing and reviewing activity and event concept papers, identifying and mobilizing partners and beneficiaries, organizing preparatory and follow-up meetings and consultations, presenting activity content, objectives and expected results to stakeholders, moderating technical meetings. • Provide advisory support and guidance for capacity building, ensuring needs driven interventions, skills transfer and exchange of best practices including through training programmes and technical advisory activities. Project implementation: • Keep detailed track of progress of each activity, prepare and provide updates on status and progress as required to project stakeholders and partners. Provide inputs to monitor, evaluate and report on activities under Outcome 3 activities of the project; collect, compile, and analyse data, prepare minutes of meetings, and draft reports of activities held as needed. • Support planning, scheduling and organization of training programmes, workshops, including identifying participants/trainees with relevant expertise/needs to ensure maximum impact and regional coverage. • Contribute to the effective coordination and synergy with the implementation of activities across project Outcomes, including Outcome 3, as applicable. • Identify synergies and opportunities with other projects and initiatives. • Contribute to the effective coordination of gender mainstreaming activities. • Ensure effective coordination and logistical arrangements of Output 3 activities, events and missions including planning, scheduling and organization. Relationship and Stakeholder Management: • Liaise and manage relationships with focal points and contact persons for project activities in Viet Nam, including MOIT and other relevant public and private sector stakeholders. • Ensure ownership of stakeholders, project partners and beneficiaries in Viet Nam; maintain regular communication, ensuring good information sharing; hold regular working level meetings with project partners; convey issues arising to ITC HQ. • Keep abreast with developments of relevance to the project’s technical focus areas in Viet Nam. • Perform other duties as required. NOTE – The selected candidate must be available for duty travel for short periods within Viet Nam and, where required, the region. 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: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in International Trade, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of five (5) years of experience in result-based project/programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in delivering trade related technical assistance in Viet Nam is required. Experience working with Business Support Organizations in Viet Nam - including trade-related ministries, agencies, private trade promotion service providers, and/or industry associations that assist export-ready companies in Viet Nam - is required. Experience working with UN, SECO, and/or other development agencies is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: Expertise in international trade, and trade policy and facilitation frameworks in Viet Nam. Technical expertise in international trade areas such as business support organizations, trade promotion, trade in services, investment, competition, trade facilitation. Understanding of developments on these trade topics within Viet Nam. Understanding of trade policy and facilitation-related institutions and frameworks in Viet Nam as well as private sector needs and expectations in the region. 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 conduct 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. 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. 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. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Languages

Fluency in English and Vietnamese is required.

Additional Information

This vacancy is open for nationals of Viet Nam. This contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNDP. 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.