Deputy Executive Director, ITC

UN Secretariat; Genf; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat, within the International Trade Centre, seeks a Deputy Executive Director to lead operationalization of ITC programs, ensuring resources align with delivering practical trade solutions for beneficiary countries.

The role advises the Executive Director, oversees division leadership, external audits, and staff development, while representing ITC in international forums and coordinating intergovernmental reporting.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in economics, business, international relations, law or equivalent.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in trade development or related field, with multi-country/complex programs.
• Experience leading diverse teams, high-level representation, and public-private partnerships.
• English language required; other languages desirable.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage ITC program operationalization, aligning resources to deliver solutions.
• Provide leadership to Division Directors and oversee administrative/technical divisions.
• Coordinate reporting to intergovernmental bodies and manage external audits.
• Represent ITC at international meetings and foster strategic partnerships.
• Oversee recruitment and staff development, ensuring gender and geographic balance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Public administration

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Audit oversight

Team management

Policy development

Communication

Negotiation

Partnership building

Fundraising

Education

Master’s degree in economics, business administration, international relations, or law

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Organizational context: The International Trade Centre (ITC) focuses on transforming trade to change lives by assisting developing and transition countries in leveraging expanding trade and investment opportunities. This role operates within the UN Secretariat, specifically within the International Trade Centre department, contributing to its mission.

Job purpose: The Deputy Executive Director is responsible for directing and managing the operationalization of ITC's programs, ensuring human and financial resources align with delivering practical solutions to beneficiary countries. This role contributes to the formulation of ITC's overall strategies and policies, acting as an advisor to the Executive Director. The position involves providing leadership to Division Directors, overseeing administrative and technical divisions for synergy and efficiency, and developing trade support services aligned with global MSME trends. The Deputy Executive Director also oversees external audit activities, fosters inter-organizational relationships, and coordinates reporting to intergovernmental bodies. Additionally, the role involves managing staff recruitment, development, and fostering teamwork, while representing ITC in international forums and providing programmatic expertise.

Responsibilities: Direct and manage the operationalization of ITC's programs, ensuring alignment of human and financial resources for effective delivery of solutions. Contribute to the formulation of ITC's overall strategies and policies, advising the Executive Director and participating in overall management. Provide leadership to Division Directors, oversee administrative and technical divisions to optimize synergies and efficiencies, and develop trade support services considering global MSME trends. Oversee external audit management and foster relationships with partner bodies and international stakeholders. Coordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for intergovernmental bodies. Oversee staff recruitment for the Executive Director's office, ensuring geographical and gender balance. Manage, guide, and develop supervised staff, fostering teamwork and communication. Chair meetings on substantive issues, represent ITC at international meetings, and provide programmatic expertise. Perform other duties as requested by the Executive Director.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, business administration, international relations, law, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative.

Work experience: A minimum of 15 years of experience in trade development in developing or transition countries is required. Extensive experience is needed in leading multi-country/complex aid-for-trade programs, working with MSMEs, leading diverse teams, driving organizational change, high-level representation, and establishing public-private partnerships.

Skills: Professionalism, Accountability, Leadership, Building Trust, Judgement/Decision-making, Development economics, International trading system, Global trade trends, Results-based management, Project management, UN regulations and policies, Staff management, Teamwork, Communication, Representation, Advocacy, Fundraising, Partnership building.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, French, Russian