Digital Trade Expert (AfCFTA)

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African states as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Our Headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. The vision of the African Union is that of: An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Our mission is to become An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. The values that guide and govern our function and operations are: Respect for diversity and team work Think Africa above all; Transparency and accountability Integrity and Impartiality; Efficiency and Professionalism; and Information and Knowledge sharing
About The Job

Purpose of Job

The main objective of this assignment is to provide support to the AfCFTA Secretariat in AfCFTA digital trade negotiations and implementation.

Main Functions:

Provide support in the preparation and Implement the programmes developed out of the Division’s strategic plan
Ensure effective coordination and implementation of Unit’s plans and activities at various levels
Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other relevant stakeholders on relevant matters
Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division
Provide support to develop resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders’ coordination
Manage and supervise direct reports to ensure their effective performance as per organization’s performance management policy and system
Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AfCFTA’s internal use
Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Secretariat for coordination and alignment purposes
Prepare budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks.
Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required
Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans.

Specific Responsibilities – The duties and responsibilities of the Expert include to:

Provide support to the negotiation process for the Digital Trade Protocol, including negotiation processes, attending and reporting on negotiation meetings, following up with State Parties, managing relevant documents, and arranging necessary meetings of State Parties and stakeholders;
Draft reports on AfCFTA negotiations supporting interaction with State and non-State Parties.
Support integration of digital trade in AfCFTA issues and address requests from different stakeholders on digital trade.
Produce papers for various audiences, including drafting documents and briefs for a policy audience, and support relevant research.
Participate in the development and implementation of digital application platforms for the AfCFTA, promotion of a digital culture and building of digital business technology platforms and relationships externally with vendors, startups and third-party stakeholders;
Support stakeholder engagement and capacity building activities, including the development of training materials and manuals, providing training to AfCFTA negotiators, and conducting training workshops on digital trade; and
Any other related duties assigned by the Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade at the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

Candidates must have a university Master Degree in International Trade, Economics, International Relations, International Law and/or technology-related areas with at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience out of which three (3) years should be at expert level.
Candidates with University Bachelor Degree can be considered provided they have ten (10) years of relevant work experience of which three (3) years should be at expert level.
Experience in writing for a policy audience and engagement with public and private sector stakeholders in trade and digitalisation and/or digital regulation in the African context is required.
Understanding of Africa’s regional integration agenda and key AfCFTA issues is required.
Experience with continental, regional, and/or national policy making on relevant trade and/or digitalisation issues is desirable. Knowledge of trade negotiations is an asset. Ability to proactively address challenges is valuable.

Required Skills:

Ability to work in a multicultural environment
Ability to work independently to meet critical and competing deadlines (multi-tasking), to produce high quality work in short timeframes
Excellent interpersonal/teamwork skills
Must be computer literate with a working knowledge of common computer applications and systems
Excellent drafting, reporting, communication and presentation skills
Strong program/project management skills
Strong analytical skills
Excellent planning and organising skills
Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders; and
Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Swahili). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

Strategic Insight
Developing Others
Change Management
Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

Building Relationships
Foster Accountability Culture
Learning Orientation
Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

Conceptual Thinking
Job Knowledge and information sharing
Drive for Results
Continuous Improvement Orientation

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 100,972.49 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 83,397.18 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

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