The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Principal Officer - Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
Requisition ID: 269
Location: Accra, Ghana
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to: Head of NTMs Division, Director of Trade in Goods and Competition
Department: Directorate of Trade in Goods and Competition (TiGC)
Division: Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) Division
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 3
Job Grade: P4
Purpose of Job
- To provide technical support for the effective coordination of policy related activities on Non-Tariff Measures at the AfCFTA Secretariat .
Main Functions
- Contribute to set the vision for the NTMs Division and ensure and facilitate successful implementation of its overall strategy.
- Coordinate the work of the Senior Policy officers and ensuring that work assigned in done on time.
- Contribute to the design of strategies and policies consistent with the NTMs Division and the TiGC Directorate goals in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area.
- Support the secretariat work at the Sub-committees on SPS, TBT and NTBs, and any relevant meetings to ensure the effective functioning of these sub-committees.
- Make input into policy formulation in line with Annex 5 on NTBs, Annex 6 on TBT and Annex 7 on SPS Measures under the Protocol on Trade in Goods of the AfCFTA Agreement; and
- Support engaging stakeholders within Members States and RECs in designing and implementing the required strategies.
Specific Responsibilities
Cooperate and undertake with effectiveness:
- Ensure State Parties’ implementation of provisions of Annex 5 on NTBs, Annex 6 on TBT and Annex 7 on SPS Measures of the Protocol on Trade in Goods under the AfCFTA Agreement.
- Undertake and where necessary build upon implementation readiness analysis of SPS regimes already existing in the AfCFTA Member States.
- Recommend specific ways to enhance transparency, especially in standards development.
- Establish common methodology and approach to develop proposals on addressing unjustified SPS measures in accordance with guidance from the Sub-Committee on SPS under the AfCFTA.
- Provide appropriate technical and other AfCFTA-NTB, TBT and SPS related advice during the technical meetings on TBT and SPS Sub-Committees.
- Provide administrative and technical assistance on all issues pertaining to Sub-Committees on NTBs, TBT and SPS.
- Ensure that appropriate venues, public address and other conference facilities, translation and interpretation services, and secretarial support are provided for all Sub-committees on NTBs, TBT, SPS and related meetings of the AfCFTA implementation structures.
- Identify and collaborate with the AfCFTA Member States working on the NTBs/TBT/SPS issues.
- Identify areas for capacity enhancement activities for consideration by the Sub-Committees on NTBs, TBT and SPS and ensure alignment of these activities with the Member States’ capacity building initiatives.
- Identify work schedules and sequencing of collaborative work areas on NTBs, SPS and TBT under the AfCFTA.
- Prepare high quality factual reports, technical advisory notes and other relevant information notes to enable the effective functioning of the Sub-committees on NTBs, SPS and TBS and any other relevant meetings.
- Make recommendations to the AfCFTA Sub-Committees on NTBs, SPS and TBT based on the outcomes of relevant meetings.
- Serve as a data resource in seminars and workshop on NTBs, TBT and SPS issues under the AfCFTA.
- Undertake the required documentation for AfCFTA Member State representatives participating in all NTBs, SPS and TBT relevant meetings.
- Ensures timely production and dissemination of minutes of technical meetings.
- Ensure development and implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement work plan including stakeholder engagement.
- Circulate to State Parties on a monthly basis status reports on NTBs, TBT and SPS activities;.
- Work with State Parties and RECs contact points in the reporting, recording, monitoring and resolution of NTBs.
- Establish an NTB Coordination Unit at the AfCFTA Secretariat.
- Develop and implement training program for creating awareness on the NTB mechanism for the private sector, especially SMEs.
- Ensure reliable and continuous online reporting facility of NTB.
- Facilitate expeditious resolution of NTBs by disseminating reports to the correct institutions for consideration.
- Arrange for training of national and REC NTB contact points on the operation of the online reporting mechanism.
- Organize for the periodic meeting of the stakeholders responsible for operation of the NTB mechanism.
- As necessary work with relevant Parties to arrange for Facilitator resolution of NTB appeals as per the requirements of Appendix 2 of the NTB Annex.
- Compile and maintain an up to date register of the national and REC contact points for NTBs; and
- Circulate to State Parties on a quarterly basis a status report on notified requests and responses and of ongoing and recently resolved NTBs, together with reports from facilitators.
Supervise and Undertake with Excellence:
- All studies and advocacy programs on TBT and SPS issues under the AfCFTA.
- Ensure that agreed deadlines of input to the periodic reports of the Division on issues relating to TBT and SPS are met.
- Manage the work of staff under supervision including short-term experts to undertake subject-specific research into areas of concern to Member States’ representatives participating in technical meetings.
- Preparation of speeches and regular briefs for senior staff and presentation on trade and specifically SPS and TBT issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences; and
- Lead in the preparation of flagship publications and policy papers on trade and SPS and TBT issues in Africa.
Support Mobilization of Stakeholders:
- Proactively establish and operationalize Africa Network related to TBT and SPS which shall be responsible for coordination and consultation with relevant stakeholders, Facilitate policy dialogue amongst stakeholders.
- Ensure cooperation and liaison with State Parties’ AfCFTA National Implementation Committees and the relevant AfCFTA sub-committees and structures with respect to all TBT and SPS issues to facilitate the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement.
- Undertake capacity building initiatives in liaison with Member States and other partners, on all technical and legal aspects pertaining to TBT and SPS provisions in order to facilitate the implementation and enforcement of AfCFTA instruments and best practices.
- Initiate and formulate policies, programmes and projects aimed at promoting cooperation with respect to TBT and SPS issues among the Member States of the AfCFTA Agreement.
- Conceptualise and deliver training sessions, workshops and seminars to AfCFTA Member States.
- Collaborate and develop good working relations and partnerships with relevant organisations such as UN Economic Commission for Africa, the World Trade Organisation, the World Customs Organisation amongst others.
- Liaise with other Divisions of the TiGS Directorate on all matters related to research and Protocols on Trade in Goods and Competition whenever expertise on these matters are required; and
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Head of NTMs Division and the Director of TiGC.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- A Master's Degree in International Finance, Economics, International Trade, International Business / Public Administration with ten (10) years of experience in the area of trade policies and NTMs issues at regional or multilateral level of which six (6) years at a managerial level and 3 years at supervisory level Or;
- A Bachelor's International Finance, Economics, International Trade, International Business/Public Administration with twelve (12) years of experience in the area of trade policies and NTMs issues at regional or multilateral level of which six (6) years at a managerial level and 3 years at supervisory level; and
- Experience in coordination of trade and NTMs related programmes will be an added advantage.
Required Skills:
- Management experience and ability to relate and facilitate interactions with others.
- Ability to think critically and solve problems.
- Ability to communication orally and in writing.
- Reports writing and presentation skills.
- Planning and organisational skills.
- Ability to negotiate diplomatically.
- Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; with regard to performance management and professional development.
- Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results.
- Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant area; and
- Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
Leadership Competencies:
- Strategic Focus
- Strategic Risk Management
- Change Leadership
- Developing Organizational Capability.
Core Competencies:
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Drives Accountability Culture
- Learning Orientation
- Effective Communication.
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 regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.
Remuneration
- Indicative basic salary of US$ 42,879.00.00 (P4 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 27,290.88.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
