Title:  ECOWAS Regional Programme Coordinator

1. Supporting countries to benefit from trade opportunities by enabling them to conform with standards and technical regulations, requiring quality infrastructure and conformity assessment services, as well as by streamlining regulatory and procedural frameworks at the regional and national levels. The programme will help the African countries to benefit from trade opportunities by being able to conform with standards and technical regulations, which requires establishing efficient testing, certification and accreditation mechanisms that conform to the requirements of the SPS and TBT agreements and benefit from international recognition. It will also strengthen governmental institutions in their capacity of creating a more conducive business environment for MSMEs. 

2. Maximizing MSME export potential and access to new markets by overcoming constraints or developing enablers like value addition, and export capacities: In order to maximise MSMEs export potential and support them to enter new markets, the Programme will also address other market access constraints or enablers: enhance value addition and export capacities through marketing, labelling, branding strategies, sustainability and environmental issues, technology transfer and processing for export, business promotion through market linkages and capacitate trade and investment support institutions. Support will be provided both at institutional and policy level, as well as at private sector level, with a primary focus on selected key export-oriented regional priority value chains. Particular focus on intra-African exports as well as exports to the EU will be given, so regions can fully exploit their trade-driven growth potential, with a view to contribute to sustainable growth and jobs creation.  

The 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 

While UNIDO is in charge of implementing output 1.2 and 2.1., ITC is responsible for the implementation of output 1.1, 1.3 and 2.2. 

To ensure an overall coherent umbrella ATCMA framework, coordination and complementarity between the Continental component and sub-regional components will be ensured throughout the overall programme implementation.  

• Facilitate the comprehensive review and analysis of ECOWAS trade and market access policies, such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), Common External Tariff (CET), ECOWAS Trade & Investment Promotion Strategy (ECOTIPS) and ECOWAS Industrial Policy, ECOWAS Quality Policy and identification of inter-relations and complementarities with ATCMA ECOWAS Programme.
• Map the ATCMA Programme objectives with ECOWAS priorities and recommend adjustments to ensure full alignment.
• Facilitate inter-directorate coordination and intra-ECOWAS (i.e. across ECOWAS bodies and specialized agencies) flow of information on the ACTMA implementation.
• Facilitate regular meetings and dialogues between UNIDO, ITC, ECOWAS Commission, and other stakeholders to ensure the programme’s activities align with regional integration goals and trade facilitation priorities.
• Facilitate the identification and exchanges with ATCMA ECOWAS programme national focal points.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Serve as liaison between the ECOWAS Commission and the other key stakeholders, including the implementing partners (UNIDO and ITC), and other stakeholders involved in trade and market access projects across the region.
• Facilitate coordinating meetings, workshops, and consultations between ECOWAS, UNIDO, ITC, and national counterparts to ensure alignment and joint implementation of the ATCMA Programme.
• Build and strengthen programme partnerships with regional organizations such as UEMOA, AU, and private sector entities engaged in trade and market access.

• Ensure coordination of the ATCMA ECOWAS programme with other key intervention by ECOWAS and other Development Partners on related matters and topics
• Guide conceptualization of capacity-building workshops and webinars focusing on regional trade integration, compliance with international trade standards, and trade facilitation.
• Guide the conceptualization of further development partner support.

Ad-hoc requests

• Any other assignments related to a timely and effective implementation of the project as deemed necessary.
• A final report is to be provided at the end of each contractual period, covering the activities and the results of the assignment.

The tasks mentioned in the job description above will be implemented in accordance with the principles and guidelines of UNIDO, ITC, and the EU, and in compliance with their respective communication and visibility requirements. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES 

Core Values 

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially. 

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner. 

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective. 

Key Competencies 

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity. 

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those, we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world. 

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work. 

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another. 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: 

Advanced university degree in engineering, or any other related field, with a strong understanding of international trade, industrialization and quality infrastructure in general is required 

Technical and functional experience: 

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in the area of regional economic community development, in particular in the area of SME development, trade competitiveness, quality infrastructure and standards compliance, market access in Sub-Saharan Africa, is required.  

• Working experience in West Africa is desirable. 

• Good Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions, sectors, programmes, policies is required. 

• Good understanding of ECOWAS regional trade integration and private sector development/value addition related challenges is required. 

• Experience in relationship management with donors and technical assistance providers, preferably in the area of SME development, competitiveness, quality infrastructure and standards compliance and trade is desirable.  

Language Skills:  

Fluency in written and oral English and French is required.  Working knowledge of Portuguese is desirable.