International Lead Consultant - ASEAN Catalogue of Circular Products, Services and Policy Frameworks

Output 1: by mid-July 2026

• Develop and submit a detailed outline and refined narrative framework for the ASEAN Catalogue based on the indicative structure provided by ITC
• Refine and operationalize the analytical approach and structure, building on the framework provided by ITC
• Coordinate with the ITC project team and subject matter experts to clarify inputs and data requirements, including supporting data collection processes and coordinating with relevant experts.
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with the ITC project team and ASEC

Output 2: by end of August 2026

• Develop first draft of the ASEAN Catalogue
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with the ITC project team and ASEC

Output 3: by end of September 2026

• Revise the draft Catalogue based on feedback from ITC and technical experts.
• Develop second draft of the ASEAN Catalogue
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with the ITC project team and ASEC

Output 4: by end of October 2026

• Prepare the final consolidated manuscript of the ASEAN Catalogue incorporating feedback from ITC and ASEAN stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It is the only multilateral agency fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization of SMEs. ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable growth and development through trade and international business development. ITC projects and programmes contribute to the global efforts to achieve UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the Aid for Trade agenda. ITC Headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

ITC is implementing the SCOPE-Trade Project. The overall objective (impact) of the project is to improve sustainable connectivity between the EU and ASEAN, and within ASEAN with a focus on trade, economic connectivity and sustainable value chains. The specific objective (outcome) of the project is to improve regulatory frameworks, dialogue and institutional capacities in key areas of trade and economic connectivity with a focus on resilient, socially, economically and environmentally sustainable value chains and on better conditions for trade and investment flows.

Under Output 3, ITC is supporting implementation of the Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2023–2030, including the development of an ASEAN Catalogue of Circular Products, Services and Policy Frameworks. The Catalogue is being developed as a regional reference tool to support policymakers and relevant stakeholders in understanding circular economy practices across ASEAN Member States (AMS). The Catalogue will provide a structured and comparable overview of key circular economy practices, supporting mechanisms, and enabling frameworks across ASEAN Member States. To support the preparation of this publication, ITC is recruiting a Lead Consultant responsible for drafting and consolidating the ASEAN Catalogue based on inputs provided by technical experts and supporting research.

The Lead Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, Green and Inclusive Value Chains (GIVC), and the Programme Officer, Strategies & Policies for Trade & Investment (SPTI) and under the overall guidance of the SCOPE Trade project team. The Lead Writer will be responsible for drafting the ASEAN Catalogue and consolidating analytical inputs provided by subject matter experts into a coherent, structured and accessible publication.

The Lead Consultant will undertake the following activities:

1) Refine the structure and narrative of the Catalogue

• Refine the structure, chapter outline, and narrative of the Catalogue in consultation with ITC.
• Ensure the structure reflects the key components of the Catalogue, in line with ITC guidance.
• Ensure alignment with ASEAN policy priorities and the Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community.

2) Review and synthesize analytical inputs

• Review analytical inputs prepared by subject matter experts, including technical inputs covering the different components of the Catalogue.
• Compile and analyse supporting materials, including desk research, inputs from ASEAN Member States, and stakeholder consultations.
• Ensure consistency in terminology and presentation across the Catalogue, in line with ITC guidance.
• Ensure coherence across sections of the Catalogue and reflect relationships between key elements, as guided by ITC.

3) Draft the ASEAN Catalogue

• The Lead Consultant will draft the full ASEAN Catalogue based on inputs from technical experts and supporting research.
• The Lead Consultant will ensure that information is presented in a clear, structured and comparable format across ASEAN Member States.
• Draft versions will be submitted to ITC for review and revision.

4) Support consultations and finalize the publication

• Prepare presentation materials summarizing the key findings and structure of the Catalogue.
• Support consultations/dialogue with ASEAN stakeholders as required.
• Revise the draft Catalogue based on feedback received from ITC, the ASEAN Secretariat, and relevant ASEAN bodies.
• Prepare the final manuscript ready for editing, design, and publication.

Copyright Clause: The consultant must secure all necessary intellectual property rights and permissions required to perform their services and enable ITC's unrestricted dissemination of the work. Documented proof of these rights must be submitted to ITC, and the consultant must obtain prior written approval before incurring any third-party copyright or licensing fees.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (MA/MSc/MBA, PhD or equivalent) in International Trade, Economics, Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Extensive relevant professional experience in policy analysis, trade policy, circular economy, or related areas may be accepted in lieu of the university degree.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in policy research, trade and sustainable development, circular economy, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience drafting analytical reports, policy publications, or flagship knowledge products for international organisations, governments, or research institutions.
• Proven experience synthesizing complex technical inputs from multiple experts into coherent written outputs.
• Experience working on circular economy, sustainable value chains, environmental policy, or trade-related sustainability topics is highly desirable.
• Previous experience working with international organisations, United Nations agencies, or regional institutions is an asset.
• Established network of experts and stakeholders in the ASEAN region, particularly in the areas of circular economy, circular trade and sustainable production.

Skills

• Strong analytical understanding of circular economy concepts, sustainable production and consumption, and trade-related sustainability issues.
• Excellent drafting, editing, and synthesis skills with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality publications for multi-stakeholder audiences
• Ability to translate complex technical material into clear and structured narratives suitable for policy and multi-stakeholder audiences.
• Strong coordination and communication skills when working with multiple experts and stakeholders.

Languages

Advanced spoken and written English.