Digital Trade Expert (AfCFTA)

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

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies