Org. Setting and Reporting

The International Trade Centre (ITC) mandate is: "Transforming trade. Changing lives." By enabling trade-led economic development, especially in the Global South, ITC enables small businesses to reach their potential and strengthens ecosystems for long-term impact. This position is located in the Section of Strategies and Policies for Trade and Investment (SPTI), Division of Market Development (DMD), International Trade Centre (ITC). The Programme Officer reports to the Head of the Trade and Investment Policy Unit in SPTI. The position focuses on leading the implementation, coordination and monitoring of a portfolio of projects supporting developing countries in the implementation of WTO agreements and related international trade frameworks. This includes work on investment facilitation, digital trade, and e-commerce, with a strong emphasis on translating multilateral frameworks into operational, country-level technical assistance and capacity-building interventions. The Programme Officer is responsible for ensuring coherence across projects within the portfolio, aligning activities with ITC’s strategic priorities, and structuring delivery in a way that is technically sound, operationally feasible and results-oriented.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Manages a portfolio of related projects, including defining delivery approaches, sequencing activities, and ensuring coherence across analytical work, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.
Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects supporting the implementation of WTO agreements and related frameworks.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation against defined workplans and milestones; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by designing and delivering policy advisory and capacity building activities that support the implementation of WTO agreements, including development of action plans and regulatory roadmaps.
Coordinates policy development and advisory support related to WTO agreements and international trade frameworks, including the review and analysis of regulatory gaps, implementation challenges and reform priorities.
Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences aligned with the project defined outputs., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, ensuring missions contribute to defined project deliverables and follow-up actions.
Coordinates activities related to budget funding, ensuring alignment between financial resources, planned activities and staffing requirements across the portfolio p and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Performs other duties as required

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
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 AND 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.
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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as law. 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 degree and/or non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years (9 years with a first level degree) of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in managing and delivering technical assistance projects, including work related to trade and investment policy and implementation of WTO agreements or similar international frameworks is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN 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 for an initial 11 months and may be subject to extension. Applications from women and nationalities from developing and least developing countries are particularly encouraged. 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. Given the nature of the temporary opportunity, priority consideration may be given to candidates already located at the duty station. 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. 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.

Programme Officer (Trade and Investment Policy- WTO Agreements Implementation), DMD/SPTI (Temporary)