Trade Programme Manager

Job ID/Title :Trade Programme Manager
Category :Governance and Poverty Reduction
Application Deadline :     21-Sep-12
Duty Station :Ramallah
Type of Contract :Service Contract
Languages Required :Arabic, English,    
Duration of Initial Contract :     One year
Expected Duration of Assignment :4 years

 

Background:
UNDP and ITC in partnership with PALTRADE are in the process of implementing four years Export Development project in West Bank (2011-2015) aims to support SMEs in oPt to become more competitive exporters, to have the capacity to expand their workforce, including women and youth, contribute to the development of exports resulting in economic growth and improved standard of living of the Palestinian people. In this partnership, PalTrade and the Palestinian private sector will receive targeted assistance to enhance the trade support services offered to the local business community in line with global best practice, in the fields of strategic organizational planning, trade policy and advocacy, trade information, trade development, and trade promotion. At the same time, the private sector will receive improved and expanded local export support services from PalTrade. By the end of the project, the private sector companies involved in the project will have succeeded in accessing new markets, increasing their local market share, and enhancing the skills of their staff, while PalTrade will have become a more sustainable and stronger trade support organization.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Poverty Team Leader, the Trade Programme Manger will drive new relations and forms of engagement with the private sector to reduce poverty and the post is responsible for management of a UNDP Project within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The Trade Programme Manager analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides policy, managerial and technical advice services. In particular, s/he will focus on Poverty reduction through improving the incomes and sustaining the livelihoods with an emphasis on private sector development and promoting trade activities.
Within the framework of the UNDP corporate private sector development strategy, the Trade Programme manager will contribute to PAPP’s work in a number of areas including entrepreneurship development, small and medium sized enterprise (SME) development, regulatory environments to support SME growth, value chain to achieve significant impact on people’s livelihoods.

Description of Responsibilities:
- Implementation and  management of the programme strategies in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures
- Management of the Programme various portfolios  with local, regional and international implementing partners, including supervising the technical staff responsible for providing support to the implementation of ongoing partnership agreement
- Provision of top quality technical advice services to the partner NGOs, Government and other stakeholders and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing.
- Building strategic links with the private sector actors in order to improve the incomes and livelihood of local communities
 
1-Ensures implementation and management of  programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Thorough analysis and research of the political, social, and economic situation in the oPt,  contribute to programming in the following areas: entrepreneurship development, small and medium sized enterprise (SME) development, and other topics in private sector development such as ,microfinance - as appropriate
- Produce, analyze and use information from varied and diverse sources to provide in-depth analysis on the private sector and its links to -ustainable livelihoods
- Design and formulation of some parts of private sector programming, translating UNDP’s priorities (including the corporate strategy) into local interventions;
- Co-ordinate the implementation of activities through regular contacts with similar programmes undertaken by the United Nations, and other organizations and institutions; and promote regular exchange of information of activities and events.
- Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
- Preparation of inputs for reporting, including donor reporting.
- Facilitate and support participation of various stakeholders in all stages of the project and promote the creation of informal networks in order to identify and mobilize resources for the follow-up activities to ensure sustainability of project results
- Work with governments to work towards a more enabling environment for private sector

2-Supports creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy  in cooperation with Poverty Team Leader support focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects,
- Capacity development for counterparts and gradual transfer of knowledge and experience of the project concepts and outputs
- Liaises and networks with other international organizations working in the field of private sector development in the region (e.g. the World Bank / IFC, EBRD, UNIDO, ILO, UNCTAD, USAID, SIDA etc.)
- Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results
- Supervising the technical staff responsible for providing support to the implementation of results.
- Lead the planning process and set out all necessary plans for implementation, procurement and delivery.
- Ensure the achievement of outputs in line with the approved work plan through the day-to-day planning, management coordination and implementation of activities.
 
3-Provides top quality advisory services to the Government / NGOs and  ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification of sources of information related to private sector policy-driven issues, and livelihoods programming and overall management of all aspects of the program and . Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
- Professional growth through active learning
- Any other duties as assigned by the Poverty Team Leader to achieve progaramme goals.
 

 Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of PAPP programming and policy within specific areas of private sector development, including Trade/ export development. In particular, the key results have an impact on the project design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets
 
Competencies :
Competencies and Critical Success Factors
Corporate Competencies:
-Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
-Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
-Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
-Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
-Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness
-Ability apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
-Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
-Strong IT skills

Management and Leadership
-Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
-Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
-Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
-Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
-Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Qualifications :
Education:
Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Development, political or social sciences or related field.
 
Experience:
Up to 8 years of relevant experience working with governmental and non-governmental structures, and international agencies, in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
Demonstrated ability to ensure and facilitate the co-ordination and collaboration of diverse stakeholder groups and possess good managerial
experience.
Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems
Language Requirements: Fluency in the English and Arabic.
“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”

UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
Important message to all applicants!

-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted. 
-For more detailed information about UNDP/PAPP please visit our website at www.undp.ps.