International Trade Centre is looking for a Director, Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions

Organization: International Trade Centre
Location: GENEVA
Level: PD - D-1
Job Family: SUS
Application Deadline: 22 June 2026 at 03:59 UTC
Job Opening Number: 26-Sustainable Development-DOS-277032-R-GENEVA (R)
Apply via: UN Inspira Portal

Org. Setting and Reporting

The International Trade Centre (ITC) assists developing and transition countries to take advantage of expanding trade and investment opportunities. ITC supports “Transforming trade, changing lives”, promoting sustainable and inclusive development through trade. The Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions (DECI) works from an innovative and inclusive market-driven approach to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs from developing countries and to connect them to international value chains and markets supported by strong business support organisations and institutional ecosystems. DECI contributes to enhancing exporters’ competitiveness through provision of thought leadership, technical assistance and project implementation through divisional teams on sector development, digital entrepreneurship, packaging, supply chain, marketing, branding, e-commerce, export quality management and institutional strengthening.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Director (DED) and under the general guidance of the Executive Director (ED), the Director will;

• Lead and provide substantive and strategic support to the relevant Division through the Chiefs of Sections.
• Provide strategic leadership for the development of innovative trade support services responding to the evolving needs and demands of partner countries.
• Manage preparation of the work programme and budget of the Division and determine strategic priorities for DECI's work in the context of ITC's multi-year Strategic Plan and related annual Operational Plans.
• Coordinate and manage the timely preparation of information for inclusion in ITC corporate reports, to inter-governmental bodies such as the Joint Advisory Group (JAG) and the Consultative Committee on the ITC Trust Fund and to external United Nations Secretariat and Common System authorities.
• Contribute to resource mobilization, in co-ordination with the Office of the Executive Director (OED) ensuring optimal allocation of human and financial resources in order to meet agreed objectives and the timely implementation of projects.
• Manage, guide and develop staff under their supervision; effectively assist, guide and support programme managers in meeting their objectives and outputs.
• Participate effectively as a member of ITC Senior Management Committee (SMC).
• Foster teamwork and communication among the Division's staff, Sections and Offices and across ITC.
• Coordinate and manage the timely provision of project performance information and the continuous monitoring of projects and programmes within ITC's Results Based Management (RBM) Framework.
• Ensure that outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards, and make a significant contribution to ITC's mandate, delivery and reputation.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with key ITC's stakeholders (clients, partners, funders).
• Represent ITC at international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic/ substantive expertise on international business issues and global trade developments.
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Thorough understanding of development economics and the international trading system. Familiarity with the trade-related technical assistance environment. Expert knowledge about recent trends in trade development and the contribution of trade to poverty reduction and development objectives such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Good knowledge and a thorough understanding of Results Based Management principles and practices. Thorough knowledge of project design and management methodologies processes and standards. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• 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.
• VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, business administration, international relations, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in the above areas may be accepted with an additional 2 years of relevant professional work experience.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years (seventeen years with a first level degree) of experience in trade policy, trade and/or investment promotion in developing and/or transition countries, or Aid for Trade at the national, regional and /or international level is required.

Extensive experience in leading multi-country/complex aid for trade programmes, particularly those focused on the following topics: global supply chains, market expansion, improving enterprise competitiveness, ensuring access to finance, enhancing export capacity and market access, optimizing production systems, strengthening value chain integration, and supporting upgrading for SMEs and manufacturing firms is required.

Experience of leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams and driving organizational change is required.

Experience in high-level representation including interacting and influencing high-level stakeholders and SME competitiveness ecosystems is required.

Experience in advocacy, fund raising and establishing public and private sector partnerships is required.

Extensive experience in supporting the strengthening of Business Support Organizations (BSO) in developing and transition countries is required.

Experience driving digital transformation and integrating digital tools into trade enterprise support is desirable.

Experience in vocational education, training, and employment promotion, especially in high-growth, trade-oriented sectors is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Desirable Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

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