Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel:  

UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

Project related travel to the Tuvalu outer islands for project implementation activities (trainings and monitoring visits) will be covered by the project.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP has three offices in the Pacific sub-region: the Pacific Office in Fiji implementing sub-regional, multi-country and country-level programmes in Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu; the office in Samoa implementing multi-country and country-level programmes in Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, and the office in Papua New Guinea (PNG) implementing country-level programmes. The Pacific Office in Fiji also supports regional initiatives and policy advice to all 15 countries covered by the offices based in Fiji, Samoa and PNG.

UNDP’s work in the Pacific is outlined in the Sub-Regional Programme Document for 14 countries and territories and the Country Programme Document for PNG, which contribute to the respective United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Guidance

(UNSDCF). As part of these frameworks, UNDP provides support for sustainable and inclusive economic development; climate change, disaster resilience and environmental protection; effective governance for service delivery; and gender equality.

The Government of Tuvalu joined the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) in 2007 with the first Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) formulated with an implementation timeframe of five years to provide the basis for setting priorities related to trade development. The lead government agency is the Ministry of Fisheries and Trade (MFT) whose Department of Trade (DOT) is responsible for trade promotion and development, trade negotiations, trade facilitation, policy formulation and public information and capacity building. Significant activities following the DTIS included a Tier 1 project (Phase 1) for three years (2013-2017) including no-cost extension) aimed at building capacity of the government, private sector institutions and civil society; mainstreaming trade in national and sectoral policies and strategies; building linkages with development partners to carry forward Tuvalu’s trade agenda; and strengthening program management. The National Trade Steering Committee (NTSC) is a multi-sectoral coordinating body that was established as part of the project to oversee implementation of the trade agenda as defined in the DTIS Action Matrix. The NTSC is chaired by the EIF Focal Point and co-chaired by the President of the Tuvalu National Private Sector Organisation (TNPSO).

Some important tasks achieved in Phase 1 included the formulation of a Trade Policy Framework (TPF) in 2015, an update of the DTIS in 2016, a mid-term evaluation (MTE) of Phase 1 of the project in 2016 and the conclusion of negotiations and entering into force of the PACER Plus trade agreement. The development and adoption of Tuvalu’s Trade Policy Framework (TPF) by the NTSC and Cabinet Minister has been a crucial step in setting national trade priorities and mainstreaming trade in national policy. The TPF is now an integral part of all the decisions and policies of MFT and also serves as a benchmark for donor funding. The TPF includes an implementation matrix of priority actions that is the result of wide-ranging consultations with national actors and development partners. Lead agencies will be tasked to work towards implementation of the TPF implementation matrix and report periodically on progress to the NTSC to ensure that bottlenecks affecting approvals and funding from the government or donor are addressed and resolved quickly.

The Tier 1 Phase 2 (T1P2) project which came to an end on 30th June 2021 was focused on strengthening the capacity of institutions and stakeholders in Tuvalu to implement trade policies that support poverty reduction, inclusive economic growth and equitable sustainable development, as well as the implementation of the Updated DTIS that aligned to national development objectives. T1P2 also helped to improve donor coordination and Aid-for-Trade (AfT) delivery in line with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Forum Compact, as well as the EIF guidelines and Strategic Plan (2019 – 2022) for LDCs in global and regional trade.

Capacity constraints exists within the DOT and the Ministry in terms of inadequate technical expertise to support the activities outlined in the trade agenda. In the absence of technical assistance, the remaining staff members in the department and the project struggle to effectively and efficiently fulfil all the scheduled tasks in the trade project work plan and the activities associated with implementation of the Trade Policy and the DTIS Update.

Given this capacity gap, the Tuvalu trade project’s Phase 2, Tier 2, will require additional technical assistance, preferably through a full-time resident technical adviser for twelve months to assist the departments trade officers (Trade Officer who is also the EIF’s NIU Coordinator, the Assistant Trade Officer, EIF Project Officer and the EIF Financial Officer), with the implementation of the Trade Policy and the DTIS Update Action Matrix. At the same time, technical assistance will be crucial for proposal preparation, review and implementation of Tier 2/AfT projects and supporting the restructuring/expansion of the DOT toward project sustainability at the conclusion of Phase 2 of EIF assistance. The project has made provision for technical assistance (a full-time ITA) for a period of 12 months.

Challenges within the project could stem from COVID related protocols being breached within the country once boarders are open to external travels, and community transmissions exist, thus impacting the project implementation plans and timings. 

Institutional Arrangement

Under the Supervision of the EIF Focal Point [Executive], the guidance of the Tuvalu National Trade Steering Committee (NTSC – Senior Benficiary), and in close collaboration with the EIF Project Coordinator (Executive).

The ITA will work under the direct supervision of the EIF Focal Point (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Trade), with guidance from the National Trade Steering Committee (NTSC) and in close collaboration with the EIF Coordinator (Trade Officer). 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the Supervision of the EIF Focal Point, the guidance of the Tuvalu National Trade Steering Committee (NTSC), and in close collaboration with the EIF Project Coordinator, the ITA will support the:

• Effective management of the Tuvalu Department of Trade (DoT) as the National Implementation Unit (NIU);
• Preparation, review and implementation of the DoT Corporate Plan (Work Plan);
• DTIS Update matrix, Trade Policy and other related activities required by the EIF Strategic Plan (2019-2022);
• Enhancement of the participation of national stakeholders in the EIF’s activities, including other ministerial departments, the private sector, civil society and development partners.

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Additional Competencies

Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management:  Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Delivery:  Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Project Management:  Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals;

Relationship Management: Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships;

Results Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results;

Innovation outreach and partnerships: Ability to communicate within and at large, participate in peer communities and engage substantively

Monitoring and Evaluation: Knowledge of methodologies, assessment tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience