Project Adviser, Policy & Value Chain Engagement (LICA 9)

Job Description

Result of Service

• Vacancy open for nationals of ECOWAS Partner States.
• Provide support focused on trade and investment policy programming and facilitation of regional value chain review mechanisms in selected sectors.

Work Location

• Abuja, Nigeria

Expected Duration

• Until 31 December 2026, with possibility of extension.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background

• The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme aims to increase intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the EU.
• Funded by the EU and implemented by ITC and UNIDO.
• Focus on improving market access, export competitiveness of SMEs, reducing trade barriers, enhancing compliance with quality standards, promoting added value and export diversification.
• Prioritizes women- and youth-led businesses.
• Structured around Continental Component and Sub-regional Components (COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, SADC).
• Current opening relates to the ECOWAS sub-regional component.

ATCMA ECOWAS Programme Components and Outputs

• 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 review mechanism facilitated
• Specific Objective 2:
  • Output 2.1: Enhanced value addition and diversification
  • Output 2.2: Enhanced SME capacities and opportunities for business and export
• Implementation Responsibility:
  • UNIDO: Outputs 1.2 and 2.1
  • ITC: Outputs 1.1, 1.3, and 2.2
• Ensure coordination and complementarity between continental and sub-regional components.

Focus of the Position

• Address regulatory and policy market access barriers related to trade and investment, including:
• • Intellectual property rights
  • Competition
  • Digital trade
  • Investment facilitation
  • Harmonization with AfCFTA and ECOWAS regional instruments
• Design and implement inclusive policy reforms to improve market access and increase SME export competitiveness.
• Activate regional value chain review mechanisms (VCRMs) and support national value chain working groups.
• Conduct value chain assessments and Public-Private Dialogues (PPDs) to align regional and national interventions.
• Articulate a shared regional vision for priority value chains and provide advisory services to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support ECOWAS Commission or nominated agencies in programming and organizing trade/investment and regional VC meetings.
• Prepare technical documents: reports, concept notes, technical notes, policy briefs, workplans, presentations.
• Work with ECOWAS Commission and national institutions to identify and prioritize regulatory barriers, supporting policy reforms.
• Facilitate design, implementation, and monitoring of regional VCRMs for selected sectors.
• Collect, analyze, monitor, and present data related to VCRM results.
• Support entry of implementation progress and sector-specific outcomes into strategy tracking tools and update success stories.
• Provide support for policy advocacy and VCRM-related research, evaluations, and impact assessments.
• Prepare or review written outputs, including progress reports, communication briefs, press releases, social media posts.
• Provide administrative and substantive support for VCRM meetings, workshops, and events.
• Conduct outreach activities to communicate results and engage national/international funding partners.
• Participate in field missions, providing technical and analytical support aligned with trade and investment policy and VCRM objectives.
• Maintain regular communication with the ATCMA ECOWAS Programme Management Unit (PMU) in Abuja.
• Ensure copyright compliance and obtain permissions for intellectual property use under ITC dissemination requirements.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, trade, law, business management, public policy, or related field.
• • Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 2 years in trade and investment, economic research, policy/strategy formulation, development programs.
  • Experience in value chain and sector development desirable.
  • Experience in project monitoring and reporting desirable.
• Competencies:
  • Professionalism: project monitoring and reporting, understanding of EAC processes, ability to interface theory with practice, independent research skills, computer proficiency (Microsoft Office).
  • Communication: clear and effective speaking and writing, active listening, tailored communication to audience.
  • Planning & Organizing: sets goals, identifies priorities, manages time and resources, anticipates risks.
  • Client Orientation: builds partnerships, anticipates client needs, monitors environment, communicates progress.

Languages

• Fluency in English required.
• Knowledge of French and Portuguese is an advantage.

Additional Information

• Open to nationals of ECOWAS Partner States.
• Contract administered on behalf of ITC by UNOPS.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the duty station.
• Relocation expenses are the responsibility of applicants if selected from outside the duty station.

Deadline : Dec 7, 2025