TERMS OF REFERENCE –INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT
Vacancy No: ITC/ICA/39/2021
Assignment Title : Project Officer – SheTrades West Africa (Agriculture Value Chains)
Category/Grade : UNOPS – ICSC 10
Requesting Division / Section : Division of Enterprises and institutions/Sustainable & Inclusive Value Chain (DEI/SIVC)
Duty station : Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Duration 1 year, with possibility of extension
Application period : 1 October – 24 October 2021
BACKGROUND
The International Trade Centre launched the SheTrades initiative to create an ecosystem of integrated solutions that empower women economically through greater integration in trade and investment.
• The Goal: Connect 3 million women to market by 2021.
• A Plan: To work with partners including governments, private sector, international organizations, and others to expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs by acting on 7 pillars to catalyse trade.
THE SHETRADES WEST AFRICA PROJECT
The SheTrades West Africa project is financed by the Korea Development Cooperation Agency and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) until 2023. The project aims to contribute to improving the livelihoods of women working in selected value chains in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The project’s primary beneficiaries are poor women in agricultural value chains in farming households that grow cash crops (such as cashew, shea, cocoa) and associated crops as part of an integrated farming system. By 2023 the project will improve the livelihoods of 10,000 women farmers and help to increase their incomes by improving their gender relationships within the household, building their technical capacity and expanding their markets through trained supply chain intermediaries.
Targeted country level interventions are focused on:
• Raising awareness of policy makers and developing policy options to boost women’s economic empowerment
• Training and technical capacity building for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) and private service providers to reinforce their capacity to provide effective services for both men and women in the cash crop value chains, and thereby help to address gender inequalities; equipping them with necessary gender tools and approaches
• Working with value chain operators (including women-owned businesses, cooperatives, farmer associations, traders, exporters, and multinational corporations), to increase their
• Organise capacity building activities to better equip women owned businesses/ entrepreneurs in the targeted value chains to reach new markets, identify and facilitate new business/market connections, create local value addition, facilitate investment opportunities, etc.
FUNCTIONS
Under the overall supervision of the SheTrades Portfolio Programme Officer and in close collaboration with the Project Manager, the Project Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of activities and partnerships with service providers, consultants and private sector partners; selects, provides guidance and oversees the work of technical experts and coaches;
• Assists in the management of grant agreements; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties;
• Ensures exchange of knowledge, experts, best practices; identifies and tracks follow-up actions in all four implementing countries;
• Performs assignments by planning and facilitating workshops, outreach events and seminars with government officials, Business Support organisation and the private sector on women’s economic empowerment and inclusive value chain development;
• Provides technical guidance on sustainable value chain development, considering inclusivity and relevant topics such as digitalisation, environmental sustainability, gender lens investing etc.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, speeches, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• As required coordinate responses to requests from HQ for information on success stories, case studies, specific ITC reporting and any additional information related to monitoring and evaluation.
• Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, project budget, etc.).
• Performs other duties as required.
KEY DELIVERABLE AND MONITORING / PROGRESS CONTROLS
Outputs and Delivery Timelines:
Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates assigned projects. Provides thorough, well reasoned written contributions, e.g., background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. Develops and maintains effective working relationships. Promulgate coherent policies, and consistent adherence to these by clients. Efficiently uses of resources
RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum education and qualifications (level and field of study)
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field.
Note: A first-level university degree in business administration, management, economics or a related field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Minimum experience (nature, length and field of experience)
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. Experience working in the area of developing and/or implementing projects related to agricultural value chains and/or women’s economic empowerment.
Desirable experience
Experience of working in the project countries (Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone). Experience
of working in the target value chains (cashew, shea, cassava). Experience of working on sustainable value chain development with the private sector.
Minimum language requirement
Fluency in English and French is required.
Mandatory skills and knowledge
• Project management
• Project reporting, monitoring and evaluation
• Ability to negotiate with a wide array of stakeholders and partners
• Computer literate in MS office applications (PowerPoint, Excel and Word)
Critical job-specific competencies
ITC’S VALUES are: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
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& 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.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For information on how to apply please click here. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
