Senior Programme manager – European Technical Assistance Facility in support of the AfCFTA

Context

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), conformed by 54 of the 55 African countries, is the first step to achieve the objective of a continental single market. The AfCFTA is expected to boost intra-African trade, to promote structural transformation and to generate significant employment opportunities in Africa, especially for women and young people. Despite the high political momentum and the strong economic rationale, realising the AfCFTA will require strengthening institutional capacities to complete negotiations and to implement and honour the agreements, with the active involvement of the private sector and effective cooperation between stakeholders at continental, regional and national level.

Description of the Facility

In this context, the Team Europe Technical Assistance Facility to support of the AfCFTA and continental economic integration (EU-TAF) aims to respond adequately and dynamically to the evolving priority needs related to the negotiations and implementation of the AfCFTA, as well as to complementary continental economic integration issues. The facility will thus contribute to an inclusive and sustainable AfCFTA by providing technical assistance (TA) to AfCFTA stakeholders, thereby strengthening their human and institutional capacities in priority areas (i) to take full advantage of the rules-based AfCFTA, (ii) to address its challenges, and (iii) to enforce their rights and obligations.

The EU-TAF facility operates under the umbrella of the Team Europe initiative to operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With funding of 29,5 M€ (Phase 1) including trade in services action and 25 M€ including competition action (Phase 2), this programme covers the period from 2022 to 2027 and is funded by the EU and EU Member States (Denmark, Germany, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Finland and Sweden), and implemented jointly by GIZ, Expertise France and FIAP under the framework of a project management unit (PMU).

The programme provides tailored technical assistance with flexible mechanism to support the AfCFTA Secretariat, the African Union Commission and AU specialised agencies, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AU Member States, continental, regional private sector organisations, civil society organisations contributing to African economic integration Agenda.

EU-TAF is therefore characterized by its multidimensional approach, supporting all stakeholders involved in implementing the free trade agreement:

i) Support to the AfCFTA Secretariat in finalizing remaining negotiations and steering the implementation of the Agreement;
ii) Support to the African Union Commission in advancing Continental Economic and Industrial policies complementary to the AfCFTA;
iii) Assist RECs in implementing priority reforms related to the AfCFTA and facilitating the AfCFTA Secretariat and RECs coordination platform;
iv) Support AU Member States comply with their AfCFTA commitments and undertake necessary regulatory reforms at national level;
v) Support regional and continental private sector organizations to strengthen their capacity to benefit from the AfCFTA trade regime;
vi) Support think tanks and civil society organizations advocacy missions and facilitate the integration of cross-cutting issues (women and youth, environment etc..) in the implementation of the agreement.

Job description

A Project Management Unit (PMU), led by Team Lead, will oversee the implementation of the Team Europe Technical Assistance Facility and the execution of activities agreed by relevant stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project. Each implementing partner agency (Expertise France, GIZ and FIAP) will be represented in the PMU by (Senior) programme managers to execute respective assigned activities to his/her agency.

It is against this background that Expertise France (EF) is looking for a Senior Programme Manager to oversee EF’s activities components through appropriate planning, supervision and technical inputs in the project management unit based in Accra at the AfCFTA Secretariat.

He/she will work closely as a team operating under Team Europe Initiative framework with other (Senior) project managers under the Programme Officer based at Expertise France Headquarter.

The ideal candidate must demonstrate track records experience on issues related to African regional integration with strong management and technical skills.

He/she must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, good knowledge of trade facilitation and regional integration in Africa. He/she will be familiar with African Union policy frameworks, and will have a proven experience with Regional Economic Communities and/or private sector organisations, in line with the trade and industry agenda.

Mission statement:

In the Project Management Unit based in Accra, the Senior programme manager will be responsible for the overall steering of the work and activities led by Expertise France under this project with frequent missions in AU countries and occasionally to Paris and Brussels.

• He/She will Ensure the management and smooth running of the Expertise France project team (monitoring and control, strategic planning, effective communication, strong leadership, problem solving, evaluation and definition of objectives, resource management)
• Manage the experts and agents recruited by Expertise France
• Develop, manage and adjust the activities undertaken by Expertise France under this Facility:
  • Develop and update management tools (action plans, monitoring and financial tracking tools, etc.)
  • Identify a pool of potential partners, experts and service providers to be involved in the implementation of activities;
  • Draft the ToRs and involve short-term experts where appropriate;
  • Ensure quality control and appropriate implementation of activities;
  • To provide, when possible, technical assistance, training and capacity-building activities in its area of expertise;
• Be responsible for appropriate administrative and financial management in accordance with Expertise France procedures and in collaboration with the project assistant
• Contribute to contractual progress and annual reports and to Expertise France’s internal reporting in the strict respect of deadlines:
  • Consolidation of inputs;
  • Ensure regular high-quality reporting on project activities to Expertise France and proper collaboration with local authorities and partners;
  • Support the M&E Expert in reporting and contribute to knowledge management (lessons learned, best practises) and dissemination;
• Contribute to communication and visibility actions and
• Perform any other task requested by Expertise France HQ.

Qualifications and skills:

• University degree (Masters or equivalent) in International Studies, International Development, Trade Facilitation, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration or other relevant postgraduate degree. An additional relevant professional degree or certificate will be an added advantage.
• In-depth understanding of trade agreements
• Familiarity with African Union policy frameworks, relevant experience (in relation to trade support and industrial development) with regional economic communities and private sector organisations,
• Demonstrated ability to interact with all institutional levels as part of high-level exchanges
• Excellent reporting and writing skills
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills, high flexibility, ability to work under pressure
• Strong analytical skills, ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to manage and work in a team;
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other AU official languages is an asset;
• Frequent international travel expected.

Professional Experience:

Proven experience of 7 years or more in Africa, including:

• Project management experience
• Experience with trade policy stakeholders, or
• Experience in advising organisations and providing technical assistance, or
• Experience with one of the following actors: AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union Commission, African Union specialised agencies, RECs, African Union Member States or regional or continental private sector organisation.
• Professional experience as a negotiator or technical adviser in international trade negotiations would be an asset, ideally with at least three (3) years in support of or within a national, regional, continental or international organisation.
• Proven experience of working in a multicultural environment

Applicants with AU member states citizenship are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

All applications must include the following:

• CV
• Cover Letter

Applications should be submitted via the following link: https://expertise-france.gestmax.fr/cv/upload/vacancy/15306

The process of selection of expressions of interest will occur in two phases:

• As a first step, a shortlist will be established by Expertise France in close coordination with the AfCFTA Secretariat.
• Selected candidates will then be invited for an interview.

The remuneration package will be discussed and agreed upon with the selected candidate.