Background

About the International Trade Centre

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It is the only multilateral agency fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable growth and development through trade and international business development. ITC Headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

ITC projects and programmes contribute to the global efforts to achieve UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the Aid for Trade agenda.

ITC works at three levels:

• Strengthening the integration of the business sector of developing countries and economies in transition into the global economy,
• Improving the performance of trade and investment support institutions for the benefit of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and enhancing the abilities of trade support institutions to better support them,
• Improving the international competitiveness of SMEs.

About the “Strengthening the agriculture and agri-food value chain and improving trade policy in Iraq” project

ITC will be implementing the project “Strengthening the agriculture and agri-food value chain and improving trade policy in Iraq” between 2020 and 2025. This project, funded by the European Union, aims to contribute to inclusive growth and job creation, particularly for youth for Iraq citizens. It seeks to enhance the trade competitiveness of Iraq’s agribusiness value chain, while improving the country’s trade policy.

The principal government counterparts for this project are the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade.

Project objectives:

• Overall objective: Contribute to inclusive economic growth and job creation, particularly for youth in Iraq

Project outputs (expected results) :

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) competitiveness and sustainability strategies are designed for high-potential products targeting domestic markets
• Productive and commercial value chain alliances and capacities of MSMEs to compete effectively enhanced
• Increased capacities of the enabling business environment to better support value chain competitiveness (with a particular emphasis on the improvement of knowledge and skills for employment among youth)
• Iraq’s trade policy is improved for enhanced performance and value chain competitiveness

ITC is looking to hire an Administrative and Finance Associate in Baghdad, Iraq who, under the guidance and direct supervision of the ITC Administrative and Finance Officer in Baghdad, will be responsible for supporting the overseeing of project activities on day-to-day basis to facilitate the implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the ITC Administrative and Finance Officer in Baghdad, and in close coordination with ITC HQ and Iraq-based team, the selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

The Administrative and Finance Associate will be responsible for the following duties:

Overall

• Contribute to the efficient provision of the necessary support (human, material, and services) for the implementation of ITC activities in Iraq
• Performs a wide range of office support and administrative functions.
• Implement processes and procedures in line with ITC/UN rules and regulations
• Liaise with Government and other UN / external actors in providing vital supportive services (i.e. processing of visas, UNAMI accommodation, ID cards etc.).

Administration and logistics

• Organization of procurement processes including preparation of purchase orders, other relevant documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals and undertake their preliminary evaluation.
• Provide administrative support in the management of service level contracts for common services, e.g. premises, cleaning and security services, and other services as and when required.
• Assist vehicle and driver management (armoured vehicles), implementing and documenting a solid system for use (e.g. planning, logbooks, tracking), running cost (fuel, consumables), and repair/maintenance.
• Provide administrative support for the coordination of travel arrangements and management of domestic bookings, incluing their changes
• Performing administrative roles in UMOJA in particular creating shopping carts and travel requests, and expense reports;
• Provides administrative and logistics support to meetings, boards, committees, conferences, etc.
• Performs general administrative tasks (e.g. leave and attendance recording, arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, etc.), to include preparing and/or processing administrative requests/documents.
• Maintains files (both paper and electronic) and databases for work unit.

Finance:

• Supports the monitoring and preparation and execution of budgets, ensuring that financial resources are utilized to implement activities in accordance with the Programme Budget and allotments issued.
• Assists the identification of requirements and works with sections/units to improve budget reporting systems and cost-effective utilization of program resources.
• Report on completed and pending payments,
• Ensures the accuracy of financial information, figures, and verifying the correctness of the balance prior to processing payments.
• Regularly updates finance tracking documents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

ITC’S VALUES are: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

ITC’S CORE COMPETENCIES are: Communication, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, Accountability, Creativity, Client Orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Technological awareness.

ITC’S MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES are: Vision, Leadership, Empowering Others, Managing Performance, Building Trust, and Judgment/Decision making.

For further information on competency based interview please visit: www.intracen.org.

Competencies:

Professionalism: Ability a broad range of administrative functions. Ability to manage processes, maintain accurate records, and identify/resolve data discrepancies and activity problems. 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. Takes

responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• High school certificate.
• Bachelors’ degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or other related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of experience with High School and 3 years with Bachelor’s in general office support or related area in procurement, administration, finance, travel management or related field is required
• Previous experience in the UN or specialized agencies of the UN system desirable.
• Experience in UN procurement, administration, finance, travel management is a strong asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Working experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Umoja, is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English required.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is required.