Senior Market and Partnerships Advisor

Result of ServiceTimeline / Due Date 1 Participate in weekly coordination meetings with the ITC project management team and partners; provide written progress updates through monthly deliverable reports. Ongoing (Dec 2025 – Nov 2026) 2 Participate in bimonthly stakeholder meetings with relevant partners to ensure institutional alignment and buy-in. Every 2 months (Dec 2025 – Nov 2026) 3 Maintain a rolling tracker of progress, risks, and partner performance across communications, partnerships, and market-access components. Continuous (Dec 2025 – Nov 2026) 4 Submit a concise monthly progress report summarizing activities, outputs achieved, and next steps throughout the contract period. Monthly (Dec 2025 – Nov 2026) 5 Oversee recruitment and onboarding of the Access-to-Market Event Local Coordinator (Uganda) and finalize operational guidelines and selection criteria for project applications. By 30 Dec 2025 6 Oversee recruitment and onboarding of social-media and communication partners (Uganda). By 30 Dec 2025 7 Develop the marketing plan for the Call for Auditions (The Gambia) and submit for approval. By 30 Dec 2025 8 Attend the Marrakech Film Festival to establish partnerships and collect insights relevant to programme design. By 31 Dec 2025 9 Prepare and submit for approval the Access-to-Market Event framework and roadmap of activities. By 31 Jan 2026 10 Finalize the list of vendors and consultants to be engaged for implementation in The Gambia. By 31 Jan 2026 11 Develop and submit for approval the marketing plan for the Call for Proposals (Uganda). By 31 Jan 2026 12 Finalize and approve the promotional content assets for the Call for Projects (Uganda). By 28 Feb 2026 13 Launch the Call for Projects (Uganda), including submission portal, outreach strategy and communications plan. By 31 Mar 2026 14 Finalize all Call for Auditions (The Gambia) assets, outreach strategy and communication plan. By 31 Mar 2026 15 Design and initiate implementation of regional outreach activities for Uganda and The Gambia. By 31 Mar 2026 16 Brief and monitor regional partners on selection and onboarding criteria for Uganda and The Gambia. Uganda: by 30 Apr 2026; The Gambia: by 31 May 2026 17 Supervise the production of audio-visual materials for the auditions in The Gambia. By 31 May 2026 18 Present the final selection of onboarded projects for the Film Development Lab (Uganda) for approval. By 31 May 2026 19 Prepare the Call-for-Entry report (The Gambia) summarizing participation and communication reach. By 30 Jun 2026 20 Develop and submit for approval the marketing plan for the Access-to-Market Event (Uganda). By 30 Jun 2026 21 Develop the creative and operational plan for the Access-to-Market Event (Uganda), including format, venue, guest list and communication strategy. By 31 Jul 2026 22 Supervise production of communication materials for trainings and bootcamps in The Gambia. By 31 Aug 2026 23 Supervise preparation of promotional and press materials for the Access-to-Market Event (Uganda). By 31 Aug 2026 24 Ensure the successful execution of the Access-to-Market Event (Uganda). By 30 Sep 2026 25 Ensure the successful execution of the Finale Event (The Gambia) in conjunction with a national festival. By 30 Sep 2026 26 Supervise production of media coverage and promotional videos for both events. By 30 Sep 2026 27 Coordinate post-event coverage for Uganda, including event photography, attendee lists, press articles and media summaries. By 31 Oct 2026 28 Develop and present the creative and communication strategy for the online series (The Gambia) for approval. By 31 Oct 2026 29 Prepare and submit the Access-to-Market Event Pilot Report (Uganda), detailing outcomes, partnerships, lessons learned and recommendations. By 30 Nov 2026 30 Prepare and submit the report covering the training, bootcamp and final event (The Gambia). By 30 Nov 2026 31 Develop and submit the Year 2 Expansion Strategy (Uganda), including proposed budget, revised design and sustainability mechanisms. By 31 Dec 2026 32 Submit a final consolidated report summarizing achievements, communication results, partnerships and market-access outcomes across both projects. By 31 Dec 2026 Work Locationhome-based Expected duration25.11.25 - 31.12.26 Duties and ResponsibilitiesEstablished in 1964, the International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in charge of the sustainable promotion of trade and in particular of exports from developing countries and economies in transition. The goal of the ITC is to make businesses in developing countries more competitive in global markets, accelerate economic development and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, the organization contributes to the creation of jobs at the level of segments of agricultural value chains and promising services, especially for young people and women. This post is located within the Women, Youth and Vulnerable Communities (WYVC) section in the Division of Sustainable and Inclusive Trade (DSIT). About the projects The International Trade Centre (ITC) is strengthening the creative industries (CI) as a driver of youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive growth in Africa. In The Gambia, through the EU Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), ITC is enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the creative economy by improving the business environment, expanding market access and investment opportunities, and building the skills and visibility of young creative entrepreneurs. Its “Opportunities are Here” (OAH) initiative complements these efforts by providing mentoring, networking, training, and international exposure to creative talents, enabling them to scale their work and compete in regional and global markets. In Uganda, the three-year initiative “Enhancing Skills and Enabling Financial Inclusion for Young Women in the Creative Economy” will reach more than 84,000 financially disadvantaged young women, directly enabling 40,000 to access dignified work. The program promotes gender-inclusive skills development, financial literacy, market access, and advocacy for supportive policies in the CI sector. Together, these initiatives reflect ITC’s commitment to unlocking the potential of Africa’s creative economy by empowering youth and women, fostering entrepreneurship, and building sustainable pathways to decent work. This job description relates to these projects, which requires specialized technical expertise for implementation. Description of Duties/Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Youth and Trade Programme Manager, and in close cooperation with the Project Manager and the project team, the consultant will carry out the following duties: 1. Market Access and Distribution a. Prepare and implement a market access plan for Uganda (film) and a lighter plan for The Gambia (music), aligned with approved logframes and budgets. b. Organise showcases, pitching sessions and buyer meetings; manage event vendors; ensure agendas, briefs and follow-up notes are produced. c. Facilitate introductions and negotiations with distributors, broadcasters, platforms, festivals, labels and lead firms; maintain a deal pipeline with status tracking through to signature. d. Coordinate post-event follow-up and document outcomes (e.g., screenings, licences, internships, commissions, brand partnerships). e. Ensure market access activities are well aligned with the education schedule and participant readiness. f. Integrate safeguarding measures into all events and communications (safe venues, informed consent, image-rights records, incident reporting). 2. Partnerships (Private Sector and Lead Firms) a. Map, assess and recommend partners; prepare TORs with clear KPIs, safeguarding requirements and visibility clauses. b. Operationalise collaboration with lead firms (e.g., media houses, festival organisers, creator spaces) to secure placements, showcases and facility access. c. Promote value-chain linkages across film, music, fashion and digital content to increase market outcomes for trainees and MSMEs. 3. Communications and Visibility a. Draft and deliver an integrated communications plan (narrative, channels, content calendar, approvals workflow) compliant with donor and ITC visibility guidelines. b. Commission, review and press materials, social media assets, audiovisual content and event coverage; ensure correct branding and legal clearances. To be shared with project management for approval. c. Coordinate the appointed communication agency; monitor performance against agreed KPIs (reach, engagement, conversion to applications/attendances). d. In Uganda, implement women-centred outreach (e.g., women-only information sessions), inclusive messaging, and gender-sensitive content targets. e. Maintain regular liaison with ITC Communications team and share information regularly. 4. Media Productions for Learning/Visibility (Executive Oversight) a. Scope and supervise concept development for TV/podcast/digital mini-series linked to training and entrepreneurship outcomes; coordinate production, coordinate distribution or airtime agreements as feasible. b. Establish the groundwork for media production activities (television, digital video and other formats) in alignment with the approved project logframe. c. Identify and contract qualified partners and production companies capable of delivering high-quality, inclusive and educational content. d. Supervise all stages of production—from concept development and scripting to pre-production, production and post-production—ensuring adherence to ITC’s quality, safeguarding and visibility standards. e. Ensure alignment between production content and the programme’s objectives in entrepreneurship, market access and women’s empowerment. f. Secure appropriate channels and platforms for the dissemination of the media products (e.g. television, radio, streaming, or digital distribution), including negotiation of broadcast or licensing opportunities where feasible. g. Coordinate marketing and promotional activities for these productions to ensure optimal audience reach and visibility. 5. Research, Evidence and Reporting a. Continuously monitor and document developments in the film and wider creative industries in Uganda, The Gambia and the region, maintaining a database of relevant publications, reports and market analyses. b. Analyse trends on market access, distribution models and international positioning of African creative content; summarise key insights. c. Collect and verify data for project indicators and contribute to baseline, quarterly and annual reports for ITC and its donors. d. Identify opportunities and prepare concise concept notes or proposals to support the sustainability and future phases of the ITC’s CCI programme. The Consultant is obliged to provide full access to ITC external and internal auditors to documents and information. In addition, the consultant shall comply with any audit undertaken in line with the financial regulations and rules of the United Nations. Copyright 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 the 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• Undergraduate degree (BA/BSC or other) • Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies or related field. • Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. Required Experience: At least 10 years of professional experience in marketing for creative industries is necessary. Other Experience: Experience designing and implementing trade-related technical assistance required. Experience working in Africa is required. Experience in running successful online campaigns aimed at engaging youth required. Skills Strong facilitation and communication (written and verbal, public speaking). Networking and relationship management across diverse cultures. Creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving in dynamic environments. Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with marginalized youth. Languages• Advanced knowledge of English required. Another UN language an asset. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.