Chief, Trade and Market Intelligence, DMD/TMI

Org. Setting and Reporting

Within ITC, the Division of Market Development (DMD) leads two of the organization's four core services areas, namely "Improved business, trade and market intelligence (public goods)" and "A more conducive policy and regulatory environment for MSMEs".

DMD is composed of three sections, which jointly offer competitive intelligence tools and services, provide trade data and analytical trade products, develop thought leadership and applied research on MSME competitiveness, support governments in the design and implementation of trade development strategies, advise on trade and investment policy and regulatory reforms and assist countries in facilitating trade and building a conducive business environment for the benefit of the business sector.

This recruitment is for the position of Chief of the Trade and Market Intelligence section, one of the three sections within the DMD, responsible for the following programme areas:

Transparency in Trade, TMI has developed a range of trade related tools for strategic and operational market analysis, focusing on products and markets of interest to developing countries and economies in transition, assessing sectoral and national trade performance and trade competitiveness and help businesses navigate international trade regulations, optimize market opportunities, and benefit from preferential tariffs.

These tools are made available to Governments, Trade & Investment Support Institutions and the business community (particularly MSMEs) as well as to research and consultancy organizations.

They provide an important input for the design of trade development, promotion and trade negotiation and competitiveness strategies.

Competitive intelligence:
Provides customized trade information solutions at the national, regional and global level.

Drawing on the data available through ITC's market analysis tools, and complementing with other information sources, the unit creates trade intelligence online portals that provide myriad market information to MSMEs, trade and investment support institutions, and governments.

These portals may be of global reach (e.g. Global Trade Helpdesk), tailored to regions and subregions (e.g. African Trade Observatory), as well as national, and are complemented by capacity building and advisory services.

Trade Analytics:
Based on these databases, develops analytical products, including tailored studies, reports and briefs, and trackers.

These products address various themes, including value chain identification, measurement of trade and employment potential, trade policy impact assessments, assessments of FDI attractiveness and country or sector competitiveness.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Division of Market Development (DMD), the Chief, TMI will be responsible for the following.

• Provides support to the Director of the Division of Market Development to develop organizational strategies and manage their implementation through intra and inter-divisional programmes, policies and procedures.
• Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Plans and oversees activities undertaken by the Trade and Market Intelligence section; ensures that substantive work programmes and activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section.
• Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Unit/Section under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Unit/Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others.
• Provides substantive input in the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Joint Advisory Group and the Consultative Committee of ITC Trust Fund, funders and beneficiaries, as appropriate. These include reporting on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
• Recruits staff for the Section taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries.
• Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars on issues covered by the Section.
• Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on issues covered by the Section, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Leads the development of a financial sustainability strategy for the continued offering of the market analysis tools as a free public good, thereby aggregating private funding with public funding.
• Oversees related fund raising activities in coordination with the corporate fund raising process including liaising with donors.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Ability to analyze and interpret national trade issues, performance and trends, relevant statistical data and other information to draw objective conclusions and make practical recommendations.

Understanding of export competitiveness issues Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others.

Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations.

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.

Creativity:

Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree in international economics, trade or closely related field. A PhD in the above subjects is desirable.

A first level university degree in the above subjects or closely related area may be considered with an additional two years of qualifying professional experience.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years (12 with a first level degree) of progressively responsible experience in international trade, quantitative market analysis and research, or related field is required.

Experience managing development projects, from concept through plan and implementation is desirable. Experience fundraising for development projects is desirable Experience in high level organizational representation and advocacy is desirable

Languages

Fluency in English and working knowledge of French required. Knowledge of another UN official language may be an advantage.

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.

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- 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:

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.

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