CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TEMPORARY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTReference Number: ITC/TVN/45/2019
Date of issuance: 14 November 2019
Deadline for Application: 28 November 2019 (midnight Geneva time)
Post Title and Level: G-5, Programme Assistant* subject to local recruitment
Organizational Unit: Division of Country Programmes (DCP) / Office of the
Director (OD)Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 10 months to commence early January 2020
For ITC purposes the definition of “local” shall be that at the time of application the applicant is
already residing (with the requisite permit) within a radius of 50 kms from the ITC offices on rue
Montbrillant, Geneva or within a 1h15min commuting distance by public transport or car. Applicants
not meeting this criterion will not be consideredITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion and gender parity and considers all qualified
persons 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.
Organizational Setting
The Division of Country Programmes (DCP) houses ITC’s five Regional Offices; the Office
for Africa (OA), the Office for Arab States (OAS), the Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP),
the Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (OEECA) and the Office for Latin America
and the Caribbean (OLAC). The country desks are responsible for country intelligence,
developing and maintaining close relations with partners in ITC programme countries and for
coordinating ITC's various activities at the country and regional levels. Further, the regional
offices take the lead in resource mobilization and project design for country and regional
projects and share project management responsibilities with other technical sections. This
function is supported by a programmatic framework. Two ITC programmes – the “Boosting
Regional Trade Programme” and “South-South Linkages Programme” – are managed by
DCP.
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Apart from the regional offices, DCP also houses the Project Design Taskforce, which
assures effective and responsive design of large and integrated trade-related technical
assistance projects, ITC’s Innovation Lab, which fosters the culture of innovation and
mainstreams innovation in ITC’s projects and services, and the Poor Communities and
Trade Unit, which connects people at the bottom of the pyramid to markets. In connection to
its thematic responsibility related to the Poor Communities and Trade programme, DCP
spearheads ITC’s work on Vulnerable Migration and Forced Displacement.Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer, Refugee Employment &
Skills Initiative, and the overall guidance of the Director, Division of Country Programmes,
the Programme Assistant will be responsible for supporting the work of the Office of the
Director, including but not limited to, the Innovation Lab and the Refugee Employment &
Skills Initiative in Kenya and Somalia. The Programme Assistant will be responsible for the
following duties:? Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for,
typically, a medium-size and complex component of the departmental
programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and
receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval.
? Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific
programmes/project and related topics or issues.
? Reviews project documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and
compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval
and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant
parties upon approval.
? Prepares budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval
and entry in computerized budget system.
? Serves as focal point for administrative coordination of programme/project
implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational
units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on
administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of consultants, travel
arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds,
procurement of equipment and services, etc.
? Compiles, summarizes and enters data on project delivery; drafts related status
reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the
attention of management.
? Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic
reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets,
etc.
? Provides general office assistance; responds to complex information requests and
inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains
files/records; organizes meetings, workshops; handles routine administrative tasks,
such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc.
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? Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff.
? Performs other duties as assigned.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent.Work Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in programme or project
administration, technical cooperation or related area.
Experience in working with Eastern and Southern African region is an asset.
Previous experience working in the UN common system desirable.Languages: Advanced knowledge of English. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.Desirable knowledge and skills:? Working knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP) and in particular
UMOJA desirable.
? Knowledge of UN or international organizations’ workflows and procedures desirable.
Critical Job-Specific Values & Competencies:
All staff members are expected to adhere to the ITC values and competencies, however, the ones
indicated below are particularly relevant for this position:
Values
Integrity
Professionalism
Respect for DiversityCore Competencies
Communication
Teamwork
Planning & Organizing
Accountability
Creativity
Client Orientation
Commitment to continuous learning
Technological awarenessManagerial Competencies
Vision
Leadership
Empowering others
Managing performance
Building trust
Judgment/Decision Making3
