Result of Service

Output 1, by 28 June 2024: • Submitted summary reports following each stakeholder consultation; • Freetown-based project office space is functional, with necessary equipment and services are in place; • Analyzed and provided technical inputs to the project’s training curriculum; • Validated stakeholders’ map; • Drafted and submitted to HQ project team a traditional and digital media mobilization strategy to reach out to project beneficiaries in all districts targeted by the project; • Budget tracker in place and fully operational. Output 2, by 26 July 2024: • Submitted summary reports following each stakeholder consultation; • Submitted 6-month workplans which have been developed and validated in consultation with project implementing partners as well as HQ-based ITC programmes; • Prepared legal and financial documents required to conclude 2 grant agreements with implementing partners; • Provided technical inputs to the setting up of monitoring and evaluation and communications workflow and assets within in-country team and between in-country office and HQ office; • Conducted a technical review and update of the project’s stakeholder mapping in Sierra Leone’s tech ecosystem; identified and engaged potential implementing partners to support delivery of project activities; • Lead in-country preparation of the official launch event of the KOICA Sierra Leone project. The consultant must have drafted and submitted relevant project documents, mobilized stakeholders (i.e. implementing partners, government entities and KOICA Nigeria) and arranged logistical and communications-related arrangements necessary for the timely implementation of the event; • Identify communication consultant and prepare comms plan for the first 6 months of implementing period. Output 3, by 23 August 2024: • Successfully implemented the official launch of the KOICA Sierra Leone project. This includes the organization and implementation of an in-person launch event, engagement of relevant service providers, as well as multistakeholder coordination with and mobilization of project partners, government agencies, KOICA Nigeria Office and UN country office; • Through in-person meetings across target districts, successfully presented project workplan for 2024 to all key project partners, government ministries and agencies and KOICA Nigeria office; • The consultant is expected to follow up on all enquiries and requests expressed by these stakeholders and to provide regular status updates to HQ-based team; • Established and ensured the regular updating of a database of project beneficiaries.

Work Location

Home-Based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with possibility of local travel

Expected duration

03.06.2024 – 23.08.2024

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and World Trade Organization based in Geneva. ITC’s mission is to enable small business export success in developing and transition- economy countries, by providing, with partners, sustainable and inclusive development solutions to the private sector, trade support institutions (TSIs) and policymakers. Having worked with SMEs for 60 years, ITC is familiar with the unique needs of SMEs, including youth and women-led enterprises, and has vast experience in improving their international competitiveness and connecting them with markets: • ITC’s Youth & Trade initiative takes a market-led approach to address gaps in skills and enhance the competitiveness of young entrepreneurs. The programme works with ecosystem actors to strengthen the business environment for youth-led companies and provide pathways to youth employment in key value chains. ITC manages a global community supporting young entrepreneurs – Ye! Community, which connects youth entrepreneurs and key ecosystem actors to provide access to resources, tools, opportunities, and networks, to enhance their entrepreneurial capacities. • ITC ecomConnect has developed a well-practiced methodology accompanies SMEs on their digital journey through its training programme, research, and facilitation of innovative solutions, collaborative structures, partnerships, and digital tools and technologies. In addition, the ecomConnect programme works closely with a wide range of local stakeholders and partner agencies, especially BSOs, and provides them with capacity building and knowledge on online trade and exports. • ITC’s Tech Sector Development team supports the internationalization of African tech start-ups. ITC has implemented projects in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Uganda focused on supporting local tech companies and digital freelancers, as well as the local innovation ecosystems. In 2019, ITC launched the #FastTrackTech initiative. FastTrackTech provides targeted coaching, matchmaking with potential clients and investors to digital entrepreneurs who aspire to international growth in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia. • ITC SheTrades Initiative aims to create an ecosystem of integrated solutions that empower women economically through greater integration in trade and investment. The Initiative ensures that the right capacities and conditions are present for women to trade and that they are supported by an ecosystem of market partners and effective support organizations. At the same time, SheTrades works to remove inequalities in the trade policy space that hinder women’s participation. • ITC Institutions and Ecosystems section is dedicated to support and enhance the performance of business support organizations (BSOs). The support to BSOs is structured in three key pillars: assess, improve, and connect organizations. The end goal of the support is to ensure that MSMEs and startups receive targeted and well-structured support from efficient and professional organizations. • The ITC Trade Policy and Investment Facilitation (TPIF) Unit supports trade and investment policy formulation and implementation by working with policymakers to review and update policies and regulatory frameworks and informing and advising trade and investment negotiators. TPIF also assists chambers of commerce and other business support organizations (BSOs) to articulate MSMEs views effectively to ensure that policies, regulatory reforms, and negotiations all reflect a well-informed business perspective. The International Trade Centre launched the SheTrades initiative to create an ecosystem of integrated solutions that empower women economically through greater integration in trade and investment. The Initiative ensures that the right capacities and conditions are present for women to trade and that they are supported by an ecosystem of market partners and effective support organizations. At the same time, SheTrades works to remove inequalities in the trade policy space that hinder women’s participation. Unemployment and underemployment are key drivers of poverty in Sierra Leone. At 10.1%, the youth unemployment rate is over double the national average, and 60-70% of the working population are classified as working poor. The digital economy provides opportunities for more and better paid jobs, and digitalization has the potential to drive SME competitiveness and growth. However, Sierra Leonean youth, especially young women, lack awareness of opportunities available in the digital economy as well as the relevant knowledge and skills to take advantage of them. Consequently, many youths are not employable in technology-related jobs. Youth entrepreneurship is key to reduce unemployment in Sierra Leone, yet most youth-led MSMEs, especially those led by young women, lack skills to adopt digital technologies in their businesses, maximize e-commerce opportunities, and secure financing. Young people and young entrepreneurs lack an effective and coordinated voice to influence policymaking processes related to the digital economy to ensure that their needs are met. At the business ecosystem level, entrepreneurship support provided by the government, development agencies, and NGOs rarely offer a combination of sector, digital, and entrepreneurship-oriented programmes. There is a lack of coordination among BSOs, tech service providers, and market partners. Business and digital support services are insufficient and not adapted to the needs of young people and young entrepreneurs. BSOs and tech hubs do not provide sufficient digital entrepreneurship support to youth-led MSMEs, and financial institutions have limited service offerings to support young women entrepreneurs to contribute to the digital economy. Implemented over a four-year period from June 2024 to 2028, the ‘Sierra Leone: Empowering youth through digital technologies’ project has the overall objective of contributing to economic growth and job creation in Sierra Leone by enhancing the participation of youth in the digital economy. To achieve this, the project will: • Increase the capacity of youth to use digital technologies for work, entrepreneurship and social inclusion; • Enhance the competitiveness of young entrepreneurs through the adoption of digital technologies; • Improve youth-specific service offerings of business support organizations and tech hubs; • Strengthen the inclusive national strategies and policies related to the digital economy. The Consultant is expected to take the lead in the setting up, launch and implementation of the project in Sierra Leone. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: The Consultant will work for ITC’s Women, Youth and Vulnerable Communications Section, under the overall supervision of the SheTrades Senior Programme Officer and direct supervision of the SheTrades Associate Economic Affairs Officer, and is expected to perform the following duties: • In coordination with HQ technical teams, develop an overall 6 months work plan for the project implementation. • Validate and update the mapping of partners. • Prepare documentation required to finalise grant agreements with implementing partners. • In coordination with the HQ project team, coordinate all local aspects of the launch of the project in Sierra Leone, including the mobilization of stakeholders and engagement of relevant service providers for the launch event. • Identify equipment and relevant services needed for a functional workspace and coordinate locally the set up of the project office space in Freetown. • Provide technical input during stakeholder meetings with development partners, government entities, business support organizations and other project partners. • Travel to project locations within Freetown and in other targeted districts for meetings with relevant stakeholders, once agreed with HQ project team. • Set up a financial flow tracking system in cooperation with HQ team. • Schedule and take the lead on consultations with project partners, government ministries and agencies and the KOICA Nigeria office and communicates and tracks follow-up actions stemming of these consultations. Based on these consultations, the consultant is expected to contribute with substantial input to the project’s 6-month workplan which is then disseminated to all project stakeholders. It is expected that the consultant will take the lead in presenting the 6-month project workplan to all relevant local stakeholders. • Lead in the identification of suitable potential vendors and submit to HQ for review and approval. Vendors will be needed for each of the following categories of services: accommodation, catering, conference services, photography and video production and transportation (car and bus). • Take the lead the development of a monitoring and evaluation plan, as well as communications workflows within the in-country team; provide technical inputs to workflow coordination between in-country and HQ-based teams. • Present project activities to project implementing partners, government agencies and KOICA Nigeria Office and validated respective workplans and logistical and communications needs for a six-month period between June and December 2024. • Conduct stakeholder consultations and research to assess effective means of traditional and digital media mobilization strategies for targeted districts under the project. In addition, drafted a summary report identifying suitable media and partners, estimated costs, and workplan as it pertains to project activities for 2024. • Conduct technical review of project activities, and training curriculum and provide inputs to ensure alignment with in-country developments and state of play. Copyright Clause: The Consultant has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her 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 prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required. 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.

Qualifications/special skills

Postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA, PhD or other). Advanced university degree in business administration, technology-related fields, social sciences, or a closely related field. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. At least 5 years of relevant experience in project management in a development context. Expertise in the areas of women, youth and trade, as well as persons with disabilities. Strong project management skills. Expertise in digital and trade or digital upskilling in a development context. Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation processes with strong qualitative research and analysis skills. Excellent communication and technical report writing skills. Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Languages

Advanced English is required. Basic Krio is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

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.