Result of Service

The four project workstreams may be implemented concurrently. The dates below are completion milestones for the corresponding deliverable packages over the contract period 4 October 2026 to 20 July 2027.  Output 1- The Gambia: Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) – Tourism and Creative Industries. By October 30, 2026, complete and submit to SPTI a status report on the national validation process on the drafts for the Creative Industries Policy, the Cruise Ship Tourism Policy and the Guidelines on Green Public Procurement for The Gambia. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.  Output 2– Making Trade Happen. By 30 November 2026 complete and submit to SPTI planning and coordination records for missions and stakeholder consultations in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.  Output 3 – Making Trade Happen. By 28 December 2026, complete and submit to SPTI a consolidated stakeholder map that captures inputs on e-commerce and digital trade in the EAC. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.  Output 4 – South Sudan: Green and Resilient Agriculture and Climate Economy (GRACE). By 30 January 2027, complete and submit to SPTI a consolidated deliverable package covering: (i) validated terms of reference for the national technical committee on the honey value chain; and (ii) a validated framework for national honey policy (iii) national guidelines on the application of EAC rules of origin and a simplified guidebook for MSMEs and small-scale cross-border traders, prepared/reviewed and supported through validation; and (iii) materials and coordination records for the delivery of capacity-building activities for small-scale cross-border traders on EAC rules of origin. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.  Output 5 –Making Trade Happen. By 28 February 2027, complete and submit to SPTI consolidated reports, action plans and practical policy recommendations, as required, for strengthening the enabling legal and regulatory environment for digital trade. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.  Output 6 –Making Trade Happen. By 31 March 2027, complete and submit to SPTI an assessment/report on intellectual property laws and regulations relevant to digital trade in the EAC. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.  Output 7- The Gambia: EU Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) – Tourism and Creative Industries. By 30 April 2027, complete and submit to SPTI a consolidated deliverable package covering: (i) technical inputs and validation/finalization documentation for The Gambia's Creative Industries Policy and Cruise Tourism Policy; and (ii) status report on the revised Made in The Gambia Strategy and Action Plan, fact-sheet on the revised MiG Strategy and Action Plan, and report on the proposed institutional implementation arrangements; Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.  Output 8 – Sierra Leone: Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies (READY Salone). By 30 May 2027, complete and submit to SPTI a technical review and stakeholder-engagement package covering: (i) technical input on the review of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2019; (ii) design and delivery of the stakeholder engagement process; and (iii) technical guidance provided to the national consultant. Under South Sudan: Green and Resilient Agriculture and Climate Economy (GRACE), complete and submit to SPTI a validated draft national honey policy. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the deliverable package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer  Output 9 – The Gambia: Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) – Tourism and Creative Industries. By 30 June 2027, complete and submit to SPTI a consolidated deliverable package covering: (i) stakeholder consultation report and coordination summary documenting project activities; (ii) creative-industry investment profiles and investment forum materials; (iii) report on the status of the national launch of revised Made in The Gambia Strategy and Action Plan and documentation of the proposed institutional implementation arrangements. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.  Output 10 - Sierra Leone: Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies (READY Salone). By 16 July 2027 complete and submit to SPTI a consolidated deliverable package covering: (i) review and technical input on comprehensive report on stakeholder consultations prepared by the national consultant; and (ii) a consolidated matrix/record of comments received from stakeholders and lead government institutions, together with documented support for their incorporation into the final report. Completion will be evidenced by submission of the package and confirmation of acceptance by the supervising officer.

Work Location

ITC Headquarters (Geneva, Switzerland)

Expected duration

04.10.26 - 20.07.27

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization for trade-related technical cooperation in developing countries. This consultancy supports four projects: the EU Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) – Tourism and Creative Industries in The Gambia; the Green and Resilient Agriculture and Climate Economy (GRACE) project in South Sudan; the Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies (READY Salone) project in Sierra Leone; and the United Kingdom-Making Trade Happen project. Each project has distinct objectives and expected outcomes. The ITC’s Strategies and Policy for Trade and Investment (SPTI) Section is delivering trade and investment policy activities under all four projects, which aim to strengthen national and regional policy and regulatory frameworks, facilitate investment, improve the business environment, advance regional integration and support the development of inclusive and competitive trade and investment laws and policy frameworks. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES The IC will work under the overall supervision of the Chief, Strategies and Policy for Trade and Investment (SPTI), and the Programme Officer, SPTI. The IC will provide technical, policy and project coordination support for the implementation of trade, investment, business environment and digital economy activities under the above-named four projects. Specifically, under The Gambia: EU Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) – Tourism and Creative Industries, coordinate project activities and stakeholder consultations; support the development of creative-industry investment profiles and investment forum materials ( agenda’s, concept notes, briefing notes etc); support the launch of the revised Made in The Gambia Strategy and Action Plan and the establishment of its institutional implementation arrangements; provide technical and coordination support for the review of The Gambia’s Copyright Act; and provide technical support for and facilitate the validation and finalization of The Gambia’s Creative Industries Policy and Cruise Tourism Policy. Under the South Sudan: Green and Resilient Agriculture and Climate Economy (GRACE), coordinate the development, technical review and national validation of a national honey policy; support the development and validation of the terms of reference for the national technical committee on the honey value chain in South Sudan; coordinate stakeholder consultations and technical activities relating to South Sudan’s WTO accession and regional integration; support the preparation, technical review and validation of national guidelines on the application of EAC rules of origin in South Sudan; support the preparation and validation of a simplified guidebook on EAC rules of origin for MSMEs and small-scale cross-border traders in South Sudan; coordinate the delivery of capacity-building activities for small-scale cross-border traders on EAC rules of origin. Under the Sierra Leone: Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies (READY Salone), provide technical oversight for the review of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2019; support the design and delivery of the stakeholder engagement process; oversee and provide technical guidance to the national consultant; review the comprehensive report prepared by the national consultant and provide technical input; consolidate technical comments received from stakeholders and lead government institutions and support their incorporation into the final report. Under the UK-Making Trade Happen project, plan and coordinate missions and stakeholder consultations on digital trade in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda; review and consolidate technical inputs from stakeholders on e-commerce and digital trade in the EAC; assess and prepare a report on intellectual property laws and regulations relevant to digital trade in the EAC; and provide input and, where necessary, prepare consolidated reports, action plans and practical policy recommendations for strengthening the enabling environment for digital trade. 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international economic law, international trade law, or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Professional qualification as a lawyer is desirable.
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in delivering trade-related technical assistance in international trade and development is required.
Experience in facilitating and coordinating legal and regulatory reform, regional integration, and private-sector development initiatives is required.
Experience in delivering capacity-building activities to government and private-sector stakeholders in Africa is required.
Experience coordinating multi-country activities, consultants, policy consultations and national validation processes is required.
Previous experience with ITC or another international organization is desirable. Skills:
Excellent knowledge of international trade, investment policy, business environment reform, regional integration, and e-commerce.
Demonstrated legal and policy research, analysis and drafting skills.
Knowledge of the WTO, AfCFTA, ECOWAS and EAC frameworks is required.
Strong project coordination, stakeholder engagement, consultation facilitation, technical review, report writing and quality assurance skills are required.
Knowledge and experience in managing trade-related technical assistance in investment facilitation, intellectual property, creative industries policy, the digital economy, rules of origin, and WTO accession are desirable.

Languages

Proficiency in English is required.

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.

International Consultant: TRADE AND INVESTMENT LAW AND POLICY EXPERT