UN looks for new Executive Director of International Trade Centre

The United Nations has began the process of appointing a new Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC) as the position becomes vacant by June 2013 upon the completion of the term of the incumbent.

The incumbent is Patricia Francis from Jamaica. She has been at the post since 2006.

A statement issued by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said “a robust selection process will commence very shortly, and will be completed in the first quarter of 2013 in order to give the new Executive Director the necessary time to take over the management of ITC by June 2013.”

According to the UN, applications from suitable candidates should be sent to [email protected] not later than December 15, 2012.

The statement further indicated that a shortlist of candidates will be drawn up jointly by UNCTAD and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the final selection will be made after a full interview process.

Based on a joint recommendation by heads of both UNCTAD and the WTO, the new Executive Director will be appointed by the Secretary-General of the UN, according to the statement.

ITC is a key partner of UNCTAD and WTO which helps developing countries – particularly the least developed countries and countries with economies in transition – to better integrate into the global economy.

By Ekow Quandzie