Key Expert 1: Team Leader & Head of PMU

Project title:

AL-INVEST Next: Programme Management Unit and Support to EU-LAC Trade and Investment Component European Union, Latin America and Caribbean

Reference number:

EC-INTPA/2025/EA-RP/0034

Duty station: TBD

Provisional date of invitation to tender: 15 th May 2025

Indicative start date of the project: 1 st December 2025

Project duration: 42 months

Deadline for submission of the 1 st round of applications: 10 th May 2025

Project description:

Ensuring the creation of a Programme Management Unit (PMU) for Al Invest Next programme and to strengthen and promote a dynamic and sustainable economic relationship between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular through the implementation of association and trade agreements between the EU and countries of the region and through support for the development of enabling conditions for EU investment, in particular through Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA).

Wider Context:

The overall objective of this action is to establish an effective EU-LAC partnership on sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The Specific Objectives/Outcomes of this regional action are to: 1) Strengthen EU-LAC trade and investment relations as enablers for sustainable and inclusive economic development (including by fostering innovation and IPRs); 2) Support sustainable and innovative value chains; 3) Strengthen responsible business conduct practices in the LAC region, consistent with international and EU standards.

Based on the Regional Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP), the Outputs/ Expected results contributing to the Specific Objectives by this action are:

Contributing to Specific Objective 1:

1.1 Implementation of EU-LAC AA and FTA is strengthened;

1.2 LAC sub-regional and regional integration processes are enhanced;

1.3 Investment climate and cooperation platforms enabling scaling up of EU-LAC sustainable, circular and socially inclusive investments are improved;

1.4 EU-LAC business-to-business links, including enabling environment and cooperation on industrial clusters, are strengthened;

1.5 EU-LAC cooperation on rules and technical standards, in particular at multilateral and regional level, is enhanced.

Contributing to Specific Objective 2:

2.1 Sustainable, deforestation-free, agriculture and food industry practices are promoted and schemes for sustainable, low carbon, circular and climate-resilient food systems, including agricultural/livestock/fisheries value chains are developed in partnerships with EU businesses;

2.2 EU-LAC partnerships on responsible and sustainable raw materials value chains;

2.3 Sustainable business models in emerging green/circular and blue economies, as well as the creative sector are promoted and enabled and related pollution reduced. This also includes AA and/or FTA that are subject to negotiations or finalisation.

Contributing to Specific Objective 3:

3.1 Empowerment and green entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly for women, youth, indigenous peoples, and returnees as well as other minorities, are promoted and enabled

3.2 Public policies related to maximising creation of decent and green jobs in the process of economic development and recovery and to compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions are enhanced;

3.3 Socially and environmentally responsible economic and business practices are promoted, in line with international principles and standards for Corporate Social Responsibility/ Responsible Business Conduct and Human Rights.

INDICATIVE KEY EXPERT PROFILES

Key Expert 1: Team Leader & Head of PMU

Qualifications and skills:

• University degree in the fields of Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Law or equivalent professional experience of at least 10 years (supplementing the specific professional experience mentioned below).
• Ability to manage teams and deadlines, good communication and inter-personal skills, qualities of dialogue, negotiation and prioritization.
• Excellent command of English and Spanish.
  
  
  

General professional experience

• Minimum 12 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: a) trade facilitation; b) improving investment climate; c) business regulatory reforms and creating a business enabling environment; d) value chain development; e) regional integration processes; f) supporting MSMEs development, growth, internationalisation; g) cluster development; h) green/circular economy and blue economy; i) private sector cooperation and business matchmaking; j) creation of decent and green jobs, etc.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in programme/project management of development cooperation programmes, preferably EU funded;
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience as Team Leader or in another management position in technical assistance projects/programmes/initiatives in development cooperation.
  
  
  

Specific professional experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience working on EU-LAC cooperation issues /initiatives, including support to the implementation of EU-LAC association and trade agreements AND/OR facilitating EU-LAC policy dialogues and supporting LAC sub-regional and regional integration processes, AND/OR improving investment climate and cooperation platforms for scaling up EU-LAC sustainable investments and forging better integrated sustainable and innovative value chains, AND/OR sustainable low-carbon and climate-resilient economic practices, and circular business models in agri-food value chains and/or critical raw material extraction, AND/OR strengthening EU-LAC business-to-business links including business enabling environment and cooperation on industrial clusters;
• Experience in coordination and/or management and/or implementation of multi-country or regional development cooperation programmes would be a strong advantage;
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience of working on projects/programmes funded by the EU;
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience of working in development cooperation projects in Latin America and/or Caribbean countries.