VAC-12398 Regional Trade Advisor, Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean Islands

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is the sole organization in the continent, legally established & mandated to handle the rules of trade between African countries. At the core is the implementation of the agreement establishing the AfCFTA (thereafter “AfCFTA agreement”), negotiated, signed & ratified by the state parties. The goal is to ensure that trade is conducted smoothly, predictably & as freely as possible across the continent. The AfCFTA Secretariat, which is headquartered in Accra, Ghana at the Africa trade house, was established in February 2020 following the election of its first Secretary General.

• The AfCFTA agreement was signed at an extraordinary session of the assembly of the African Union (AU) in Kigali, Rwanda on 21 March 2018. The agreement sets out a continental system of trade rules, acts as a platform for negotiating trade protocols, facilitates the settlement of disputes between state parties & monitors the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement. Furthermore, the AfCFTA agreement is a framework agreement, with comprehensive coverage of trade in goods, trade in services, investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, women & youth in trade & digital trade as well as Rules & procedures for the settlement of disputes.

• The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have a very important role to play in the advancement of the Africa’s integration agenda & in particular the AfCFTA. The agreement recognizes the RECs as building blocks for the AfCFTA, which is expected to build on the progress that had been achieved by the RECs. The AfCFTA Secretariat is therefore expected to work with the RECs in the implementation of the AfCFTA. The 33rd ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the AU held in February 2020 requested the AfCFTA Secretariat, AU Commission & the RECs to develop a framework of collaboration before the start of trading under the AfCFTA & submit a substantive progress report on the matter.

• In January 2017, the ordinary session of the AU also directed that there should be effective collaboration & a clear division of labour between the AU, REC's / Regional Mechanisms (RMs) & member states, in line with the principle of subsidiarity.

• Therefore, the need to establish a clear & effective division of labour is necessitated by the need for AfCFTA Secretariat & other allied institutions, in particular the RECs, to work together in every area of integration based on their respective competences so as to remove overlaps & duplication. This ensures the delineation of responsibilities within each area or sector of integration based on subsidiarity.

• It is against this background that the AfCFTA Secretariat seeks to engage the services of a Regional Trade Advisor – Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands to support the development of region specific strategy to enhance the effective collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat & the Eastern Africa region to implement the AfCFTA agreement.

The Regional Trade Advisor – Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands is to support the development of region specific strategy to enhance the effective collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat & the Eastern Africa region. The Regional Trade Advisor will work directly under the RECs Advisors’ Coordinator on the following tasks, among others:

• Coordinate & monitor the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement in Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands.

• Map out the potential areas of convergence & divergence in the Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands liberalization agenda & the implementation of the AfCFTA.

• Develop appropriate modalities & mechanisms for managing the interface between the AfCFTA Secretariat & Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands.

• Develop a strategy to enhance the effective collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat & Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands.

• Develop an implementation matrix for collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat & Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands.

• Establish mechanisms to ensure private sector / civil society involvement in the AfCFTA in Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands.

• Establish effective mechanisms for mobilization of resources for the effective implementation of the AfCFTA / Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands collaboration.

• Develop mechanisms for enhancing the blue economies in the context of the AfCFTA.

• Perform any other duties as may be required from time to time.

This assignment will be carried out under the supervision of the RECs Advisors’ Coordinator in the Office of the Secretary General.

• Master’s degree in economics, international trade or trade law, development economics, international relations with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the area of trade policies & trade negotiations & implementation at national, regional or multilateral level.

• Practical experience in trade policy formulation, negotiation & implementation at the national & regional level.

• Experience in formulating development strategies & policies.

• Excellent public speaking & presentation skills.

• Good understanding of the internal procedures of the AfCFTA Secretariat as well as regional integration, trade & economic growth.

• Experience working on AU, RECs & other multilateral institutions on the continent.

• Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff).

• Full command of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Power Point) & common internet applications will be required.
  

• Proficiency in one of the AfCFTA working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) & fluency in another AfCFTA working language(s) is an added advantage.

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the Secretariat’s values & ethical standards.

• Promotes the vision, mission & strategic goals of Secretariat.

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality & age sensitivity & adaptability.

• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity & zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

This role has no team management responsibility.

• The Consultant will be based in Accra, Ghana, with travels to the region & other member states.

• Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to provide the services.

• The eligibility criteria, establishment of a shortlist & selection procedure shall be in conformity with our clients procurement rules & procedures.
  

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.