Result of Service

The goal of this job function is to lead day-to-day in-country implementation and coordination of the project.

Work Location

Hanoi, Viet Nam

Expected duration

One year, 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). ITCs 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 Team Leader 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 ITCs 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 general guidance of the Chief of OAP and the direct supervision of Project Manager of OAP, both based in Geneva, Switzerland, the National Team Leader will be responsible for the following duties: Partner and Client Relationship Management and Project Outreach:
• Engage tactfully, develop partnerships and manage relationships with the relevant government counterparts and all project partners and beneficiaries, maintaining constant liaison, information sharing and communication, obtaining support for project implementation, ensuring commitment and ownership.
• Hold regular meetings and updates with the PMU Project Director, MOIT and SECO as relevant, supporting the organization of meetings, incl. providing guidance on meeting objectives, agendas and presentations.
• Facilitate interactions, exchanges and cooperation among project stakeholders, including between the public and private sectors.
• Represent the project and deliver presentations and interventions at national events and meetings.
• Identify and manage linkages and synergies with other programmes and initiatives in Viet Nam, including those funded by SECO and other development partners. Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Reporting:
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of project activities and events within Viet Nam and as per agreed workplans, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
• Ensure synergies between and across activities, outputs and stakeholders, with due consideration to beneficiaries needs and expectations, skills transfer and exchange of best practices.
• Keep detailed track of progress of project activities, prepare and provide updates on status and progress to ITC HQ, and as required to project stakeholders and partners.
• Provide technical support to the roll-out of project components, lead Outcome 1 in close collaboration with the Technical Officer and BSO Technical Officer, provide guidance for capacity building, ensure needs driven interventions, and the effective coordination of gender mainstreaming activities.
• Develop, review and finalize annual project workplans with ITC project team, technical experts and the MOIT, for approval by the Programme Steering Committee.
• Oversee project monitoring and reporting against the project logical framework, assessment and evaluation missions.
• Contribute to the drafting of result-based project progress reports for governance bodies, produce and submit monthly reports to ITC HQ.
• Identify risks to project implementation and propose mitigation actions, discuss and agree on them with ITC HQ and project partners.
• Manage the ITC project office in Hanoi and organize regular team meetings, provide guidance for the work of the experts, attend and contribute to project management meetings led by the Project Manager and involving the whole project team. Support for Project Governance:
• Organize the meetings of project governance, including Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meetings and other meetings as relevant (incl. planning the meetings with project partners, devising meeting contents, preparing agendas and notice of meetings, preparing and undertaking presentations).
• Make the necessary follow-ups on the adoption/implementation of the recommendations/inputs provided by project governance bodies, in liaison with the project team in ITC HQ. NOTE The selected candidate must be available for duty travel for short periods within Viet Nam 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 (Masters or equivalent) in International Trade, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelors 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 seven (7) years of experience in result-based project/programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in trade-related technical assistance, business support or related field is required. Experience working with trade-related institutions and/or private sector networks in Viet Nam is required. Experience working with UN, SECO and/or other development agencies is desirable.COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of international trade and economic regional integration in Viet Nam, incl. of the regions institutional and private sector level challenges for effective participation in trade. Knowledge of emerging issues in trade, particularly trade policy and facilitation, digital trade, sustainable value chains, inclusive trade in Viet Nam. Solid understanding of trade-related technical assistance environment and related initiatives, results-based management or coordination of development projects. 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…