Portfolio Management Officer

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

Job Category:

This is an external vacancy notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a Fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The WTO seeks to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity and to build an organization that is representative of the Members and People it serves. As an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, the WTO gives full regard to competence and welcome applications from qualified candidates irrespective of age, disability status, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, social origin or any other characteristic. Applications from non-represented Members (link) are particularly encouraged for all positions.

.

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a Portfolio Management Officer position in the Executive Secretariat (ES) for the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).

The EIF is a multi-donor programme that supports the least developed countries (LDCs) to be more active players in the global trading system by helping them strengthen trade-related institutional capacity and address supply-side constraints. The ES is administratively housed in the WTO.

This is a L Post, a fixed-term position funded through extrabudgetary funds. The duration of contract is one year and renewable subject to availability of funds and continued need for the services.  

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director and reporting to the Senior Coordinator, the incumbent is expected to contribute to several aspects of the work of the ES and perform the following duties:

• Support the development, appraisal and approval of projects under the EIF programme.
• Organize monthly monitoring meetings between the ES Coordinators and EIF Main Implementation Entities (MIEs)/EIF National Implementation Units (NIUs), prepare notes of the meetings and prepare follow-up actions.
• Review project quarterly financial reports and periodical technical reports against the work plan and logframe and escalate mitigation measures.
• Liaise with the EIF Trust Fund Manager to organize monthly portfolio reviews and draft the action points for follow-up and report to the Executive Director.
• Prepare field missions' terms of reference, monitoring meeting agendas and country briefs as requested.
• Work with other team members in tracking key performance indicators of the Division's work plan, project reports, data and impact stories. Provide support for the programme monitoring, evaluation, learning and the EIF Management Information System.
• Support the preparation for the EIF Board and EIF Steering Committee meetings, including logistics, documentation and minutes of the meetings.
• Contribute to the preparation of training materials and delivery of technical assistance activities of the ES, if required.
• Undertake other tasks as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree in economics or management, or a related field.

Knowledge and skills:

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of international trade and development issues, particularly the nexus of Aid for Trade (AfT), LDCs and sustainable development goals.
• Clear understanding of the LDCs' participation in global trade and the pro-poor trade development agenda.
• Project development and management skills, including monitoring and evaluation.
• Familiarity with results-based management and logical frameworks to report on key performance indicators.
• Ability to critically assess information to distil key aspects and to develop infographics and visuals. Strong data management skills through Excel and other programmes.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to ensure accuracy and consistency across all content.

Behavioural skills:

• Proven organizational and time management skills, including the ability to plan, manage multiple tasks with competing priorities and work under pressure.
• Strong communications skills in a multiculture and multilateral diplomacy context, including the ability to write clear and communicate complex ideas to an informed audience, being sensitive to diplomatic protocol and political issues.
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people, both inside and outside of the Organization at all levels, including the ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to influence and persuade others; and cope with and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to work as a member of a team, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives.

Organizational competencies:

• Communicating for Results 

• Effective Collaboration 

• Cultivating Progressive Growth 

• Professional Accountability 

• Relevant Digital Proficiency 

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Work experience:

A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of trade-related technical assistance and project management.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required for this position.

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.