National Consultant - NTFC Secretariat

Monthly Progress Reports (01–06) and supporting technical materials must be submitted for ITC validation according to the following schedule: • 31 May: Progress Report 01 & Technical Materials (covering May activities and initial work plan milestones). • 30 June: Progress Report 02 & Technical Materials (including status of Q2 action points). • 31 July: Progress Report 03 & Technical Materials (summarizing achievements and updated challenge logs). • 31 August: Progress Report 04 & Technical Materials (focusing on late-summer deliverables). • 30 September: Progress Report 05 & Technical Materials (including a review of Q3 outputs). • 31 October: Final Progress Report 06 & Comprehensive Technical Dossier (summarizing all activities, final achievement status, and handover notes). Each output must include: • A summary of activities undertaken against the approved work plan. • Key technical deliverables/materials produced during the period. • An update on the status of action points and mitigation strategies for any challenges encountered. • Formal validation/acceptance by the ITC Project Officer.

Home-based in Thimphu, Bhutan (attached with the Department of Trade, MOICE)

01.05.26 - 31.10.26

The International Trade Centre (ITC) has a unique mandate within the United Nations system to promote the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing, transition and least developed countries, and to support their integration into the global trading system as a driver of growth, development and employment. Bhutan faces a number of challenges in ensuring the safety of its cross-border trade in agricultural and food products, while maintaining efficiency and trade facilitation. These challenges relate in particular to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance, coordination among border regulatory agencies, and the adoption of risk-based control systems. In this context, ITC is implementing the project “Modernizing Bhutan’s Border Management Ecosystem to Facilitate the Safe Trade of Agri-Food Products”, in partnership with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) and with funding from the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). The project aims to strengthen Bhutan’s capacity to ensure efficient and safe cross-border trade in agricultural and food products at, behind and beyond its borders. By leveraging solutions at the intersection of trade facilitation, border management and quality compliance, the project supports the Royal Government of Bhutan in addressing key bottlenecks related to SPS systems, institutional coordination, and risk-based border controls. NTFC Context A key element of Bhutan’s preparations for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the revitalization and operationalization of its National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), in line with Article 23.2 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The NTFC serves as an inclusive platform for institutional coordination and stakeholder consultation, with balanced representation from the public and private sectors. The NTFC plays a central role in guiding, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of trade facilitation reforms, including those related to transparency, simplification, digitalization and inter-agency cooperation. More broadly, it contributes to: • Advancing Bhutan’s national development goals and trade policy objectives; • Aligning the interests of the Government and the business community in cross-border trade, transport and logistics; • Coordinating the implementation of international and regional trade facilitation commitments and standards. In January 2026, the Cabinet of the Royal Government of Bhutan approved the establishment of the NTFC as an interim measure and mandated the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) to convene its inaugural session. To ensure its effective and sustainable functioning, international best practice highlights the importance of establishing a dedicated Secretariat with full-time staff responsible for servicing the Committee, supporting its Chairmanship, coordinating technical working groups, and ensuring follow-up on decisions and reform implementation. In this context, the Department of Trade under MoICE, in collaboration with ITC, seeks to recruit one national consultant to support the NTFC Secretariat. The selected candidate will play a key role in the operationalization of the NTFC and in strengthening institutional coordination for trade facilitation reforms in Bhutan. Description of Duties/Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Department of Trade of Bhutan (Head of the NTFC Secretariat) and in coordination with the NTFC Chairperson and ITC, the national consultant will serve as the operational focal point of the NTFC Secretariat and ensure the day-to-day functioning, coordination and follow-up of all NTFC activities. The consultant will be responsible for the following: 1. Operational Management of the NTFC Secretariat ● Support the Director of the Department of Trade in overseeing the operational functioning of the NTFC Secretariat. ● Ensure the smooth day-to-day administration and coordination of NTFC activities. ● Maintain an annual NTFC activity calendar, including plenary meetings, working group meetings and special events. ● Coordinate internal workflows within the Department of Trade related to NTFC matters. ● Support in the process of hiring and coordinating of short-term consultants or technical experts engaged to support NTFC activities, as required. ● Ensure that Secretariat functions are delivered in a timely, structured and professional manner in accordance with approved procedures. 2. Organization and Facilitation of NTFC Meetings ● Prepare, organize and coordinate all NTFC plenary meetings, including: o Drafting meeting agendas in consultation with the NTFC Chairperson. o Preparing and compiling background documentation and briefing materials. o Circulate the meeting location, agenda and background documents to NTFC Members at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to scheduled meetings. Where this timeline cannot be met due to exceptional circumstances (including urgent meetings, delays in document preparation, public holidays or other unforeseen events), a shorter notice period may be applied in consultation with the NTFC Chairperson, and such deviations shall be duly justified and documented by the Secretariat. o Managing logistical arrangements and participant coordination. ● Prepare accurate and comprehensive minutes of NTFC meetings. ● Circulate draft minutes, subject to the consent of the NTFC Chairperson, no later than seven (7) calendar days after the conclusion of meetings. ● Develop and maintain a decision-tracking matrix to monitor implementation of NTFC decisions and assigned action points. ● Prepare summary reports for presentation to the Committee on progress, challenges and follow-up actions. 3. Governance, Performance Management and Knowledge Management ● Support the operationalization and continuous improvement of the NTFC governance and operational framework. ● Assist in the preparation, updating and implementation of the NTFC multi-annual strategy and annual work plans. ● Develop and maintain practical operational tools (work plans, decision-tracking matrices, progress dashboards and reporting templates) to strengthen accountability, coordination and results monitoring. ● Prepare consolidated progress reports for internal review and for submission to relevant authorities, as required. ● Establish and maintain a structured NTFC knowledge management system to ensure institutional memory and continuity, including: o Proper filing and archiving of official correspondence. o Systematic storage of meeting agendas, minutes, decisions and working documents. o TWG reports, reform proposals and implementation updates. ● Maintain updated contact lists of NTFC members, TWG members and relevant stakeholders. 4. Provide establishment and operational support to specific technical working groups ● Support the establishment and operationalization of Technical Working Groups (TWGs) under the NTFC, including but not limited to SPS-related matters, by providing coordination, administrative and technical assistance to the designated lead agency(ies). ● Support the drafting and revision of Terms of Reference for Technical Working Groups (TWGs), in consultation with relevant lead agencies and NTFC members, ensuring clarity of mandate, membership, reporting lines and expected outputs. ● Work with the lead public agency of the TWG to monitor progress and report to the NTFC on key challenges, recommendations and reform proposals emerging from the SPS TWG. 5. Support with NTFC external engagement activities ● Support in the coordination of engagement with regional and international partners supporting trade facilitation and SPS reforms. ● Facilitate the participation of NTFC members in regional events, trainings, peer-learning exchanges and study tours. ● Provide logistical and substantive support for capacity-building activities conducted under relevant projects. ● Prepare briefing materials and post-activity reports to ensure lessons learned are captured and integrated into NTFC work. ● Support follow-up actions arising from international cooperation and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her/his services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind. The consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality with respect to all information, documents, deliberations and decisions accessed or produced in the course of their duties. Official documents, meeting records and correspondence shall not be shared, disclosed or disseminated outside of official channels without the prior authorization by the Department of Trade and these obligations should remain beyond the conclusion of the assignment.

● A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in development studies, law, international business, international trade, economics, or a related field is required, with relevant professional experience. ● Preference will be given to candidates holding a master’s degree in the above fields with demonstrated experience in international trade trade, public sector coordination, or related areas. ● A minimum of 4 years’ experience in the field of international trade, public policy, administration or a related field. Additional Experience: ● Strong established networks within relevant government agencies (e.g. Ministry of Trade, BFDA, Customs), and private sector actors. ● Experience in working on project implementation with international organizations is desirable. Required Skills: ● General familiarity with international trade and trade facilitation concepts is desirable, including an understanding sufficient to support NTFC discussions, prepare meeting documentation, and effectively liaise with technical experts and working group members ● Advanced project management skills, including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting. ● Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills for high-quality reporting and presentations. ● Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with government, private sector, and development partners. ● Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet tight deadlines. ● Knowledge of national trade policies, governance structures, and mainstreaming cross-cutting issues. ● Strong leadership, advocacy, and stakeholder coordination skills. ● Demonstrated ability to implement results-based management approaches. ● Proficiency in use of standard digital tools and computer literacy.

Not available.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.