Senior Technical Lead - Regional Integration (IICA-3) - Part-time 50%, Lusaka, Zambia

## Senior Technical Lead - Regional Integration (IICA-3) - Part-time 50%, Lusaka, Zambia - Organization:ITC - International Trade Centre UNCTAD-WTO The goal of this job function is to provide technical expertise and coordination to ensure the coherent and effective implementation of the ATCMA COMESA programme. One year, with possible extension Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme is a major initiative aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the European Union (EU). Funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this four-year program aims to improve market access for specific value chains and increase the export competitiveness of SMEs in these sectors. It also seeks to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance with quality standards, and promote added value and export diversification. By prioritizing women- and youth-led businesses, ATCMA aims to promote economic inclusion and encourage sustainable business practices. The umbrella programme is structured around two intervention levels: 1) the Continental Component and 2) Sub-regional Components in five RECs: COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC. The current opening pertains to the COMESA sub-regional component of the ATCMA umbrella programme. The COMESA ATCMA programme is thematically structured into five components, leading to 5 outputs as follows: In relation to Specific Objective 1: Output 1.1: Market access barriers identified and reduced Output 1.2: Strengthened quality compliance and standards Output 1.3: Value-chain revision mechanism facilitated In relation to Specific Objective 2: Output 2.1: Enhanced value addition and diversification Output 2.2: Enhanced SME capacities and opportunities for business and export ITC is responsible for the implementation of output 1.1, 1.3 and 2.2. and UNIDO is in charge of implementing outputs 1.2 and 2.1. RESPONSITIBILITES: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Office for Africa, the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Country Programmes, and in close collaboration with the Programme Officer at ITC HQ and UNIDO Regional Programme Manager, the Senior Technical Lead (Regional Integration) will be responsible for providing technical expertise to ensure the effective implementation and coordination of all ATCMA COMESA regional activities. Specific responsibilities include: - Develops, implements and evaluates the ATCMA COMESA programme and assigns projects to ensure the achievement of general and specific objectives, as outlined in the programme’s contractual documents. This includes monitoring and analyzing programme and project development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties; ensuring appropriate follow-up. - Ensures coordination and sequencing among programme activities across different programme Outputs. - Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, action plan the client will use to manage the change. - Liaises and engages with relevant stakeholders in the region, including national governments, the COMESA Secretariat, EU Delegation, and designated national Focal Points, to provide technical inputs on trade and market access-related topics, ensuring alignment with regional priorities while supporting strong programme ownership and visibility. - Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources. - Informs and coordinates trade policy and trade facilitation reforms and development, including the review and analysis of trade and market access-related issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. - Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. - Provides substantive technical backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc., supports the organisation and coordination of annual meetings of the Regional Steering Committee and regional Technical Committee meetings. - Initiates and coordinates technical outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes expert presentations on relevant trade and market access topics. - 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, etc. - Supports activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). - Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. - Performs other duties as required. 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 degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field such as development, international relations, international trade, or international trade law. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of seven years (nine with a first level degree) of progressively responsible experience in technical advisory roles, project or programme management, administration, or related area is required Experience in supporting and coordinating technical components of regional trade programmes, with a focus on market access barriers, non-tariff measures, trade facilitation, and policy reforms is desirable. Experience working with development partners in Africa, especially the COMESA region, is desirable. Experience working with public/governmental and private sector institutions and officials in COMESA member states is desirable. Experience with programmes funded by the EU is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: Extensive knowledge of trade-related policy instruments of the COMESA region and its member states. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Good understanding of the regional trade integration process in COMESA and Africa. Knowledge of regional trade integration issues, non-tariff barriers (NTBs), sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade (TBT), rules of origin, customs procedures, and other regulatory or policy-related impediments to market access. Knowledge of EU financial management rules is considered an asset. Familiarity with UN system management tools and processes. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct