Programme Officer (Trade and Investment Policy- WTO Agreements Implementation), DMD/SPTI (Temporary)

UN Secretariat; Genf; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva seeks a Programme Officer to lead the implementation and coordination of a portfolio of projects that support developing countries in WTO agreements and related trade frameworks.

You will translate multilateral frameworks into country-level technical assistance, conduct capacity-building, and oversee delivery, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement with a focus on investment facilitation, digital trade, and e-commerce.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in business, economics, law or related field.
• Minimum 7 years progressive experience in project or programme management.
• Experience with technical assistance projects and WTO/international frameworks desirable.
• Proficiency in English; French desired.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of projects on WTO agreements and related frameworks.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programmes with monitoring against work plans.
• Design and deliver policy advisory and capacity-building activities.
• Coordinate policy development and advisory support; analyze regulatory gaps and reform priorities.
• Provide backing for meetings, field missions, and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate budget funding and staffing alignment.

Skills

Professionalism

Teamwork

Planning & Organization

Accountability

Analytical skills

Research & Analysis

Data Collection

Project Management

Policy Advisory

Capacity Building

Stakeholder Engagement

Budget Coordination

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

First-level university degree + 2 years qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: The International Trade Centre (ITC) aims to transform trade and change lives by enabling trade-led economic development, particularly in the Global South. This Programme Officer role is within the Section of Strategies and Policies for Trade and Investment (SPTI), Division of Market Development (DMD). The position reports to the Head of the Trade and Investment Policy Unit and focuses on managing projects that support developing countries in implementing WTO agreements and related international trade frameworks.

Job purpose: The Programme Officer's purpose is to lead the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of a project portfolio focused on assisting developing countries with WTO agreements and international trade frameworks. This involves translating multilateral frameworks into practical, country-level technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives, particularly in areas like investment facilitation, digital trade, and e-commerce. The role ensures project coherence, aligns activities with ITC's strategic goals, and structures delivery to be technically sound, operationally feasible, and results-oriented. The officer will manage projects, develop and evaluate programmes, conduct policy advisory and capacity-building activities, coordinate policy development, provide support for meetings and conferences, and lead field missions.

Responsibilities: Manage a portfolio of related projects, defining delivery approaches, sequencing activities, and ensuring coherence across analytical work, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement. Develop, implement, and evaluate programmes and projects supporting WTO agreements and related frameworks, monitoring progress against work plans and identifying corrective actions. Perform consulting assignments by designing and delivering policy advisory and capacity-building activities, including action plans and regulatory roadmaps. Coordinate policy development and advisory support, analyzing regulatory gaps and reform priorities. Provide substantive backstopping for meetings and conferences, including agenda setting and document preparation. Initiate and coordinate outreach activities, conduct training workshops, and deliver presentations. Lead and participate in complex field missions, guiding consultants and government officials, and drafting mission summaries. Coordinate budget funding, ensuring alignment between financial resources, planned activities, and staffing requirements. Perform other duties as required.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, law, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative.

Work experience: A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related area is required (nine years with a first-level degree). Experience in managing and delivering technical assistance projects, particularly related to trade and investment policy and the implementation of WTO agreements or similar international frameworks, is desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, teamwork, planning and organizing, accountability, analytical and conceptual skills, research and analysis, data collection and interpretation, project management, policy advisory, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, budget coordination.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French