Head of Trade Remedies Division at the African Union (AU)

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: Head of Trade Remedies Division

Requisition ID: 264
Location: Accra, Ghana
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to: Director of Trade in Goods and Competition (TiGC)
Directorate: Director of Trade in Goods and Competition (TiGC)
Division: Customs Administration
Number of Direct Reports: 5     
Number of Indirect Reports: 1
Job Grade: P5

Purpose of Job

• To provide leadership for effective management and technical efficiency within the Trade Remedies Division of the AfCFTA secretariat.

Main Functions

• Set the vision for the Trade Remedies Division and define and lead its overall strategy
• Ensure the appropriate risk management and mitigation strategies for the division
• Contribute to the development of the Directorate business continuity plan and ensure the implementation at division level
• Supervise staff of the division with regard to organisation and performance evaluation
• Lead the design of strategies and policies consistent with the Directorate of TiGC goals in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area
• Act as a secretariat to the subcommittee on Trade remedies, to ensure their effective functioning of this subcommittee
• Engage stakeholders within Members States and RECs in designing and implementing the required strategies
• Invest in strategic partnerships and relationships to drive growth
• Preparation of the Annual Action Plan and its corresponding resources for the Division
• Represent the AfCFTA Secretariat and explain its position at conferences and events when requested; and 
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitors budget execution at division level.

Specific Responsibilities

Provide effective leadership:

• Oversee the State Parties Implementation of Annex 9 on Trade Remedies under the Protocol on Trade in Goods of the AfCFTA Agreement
• Ensure the readiness of State Parties with regard to technical capacity, domestic mechanisms and institutions to support proper implementation of the Trade Remedies provisions of the AfCFTA Agreement
• Build a database for Trade Remedies (Complaints and investigations)
• Support capacity building for State Parties on all technical and legal aspects pertaining to Trade Remedies and Dispute Settlement
• Provide administrative and technical assistance on all issues relating to Trade Remedies and Dispute Settlement
• Support on-site verification visits
• Formulate and manage technical assistance programmes in support of trade remedies issues in Africa
• Formulate advice and recommendations for AfCFTA State Parties in relevant areas of trade remedies and dispute settlements
• Develop plans and recommendations for improvement of systems / functions / procedures / legislation for trade remedies and dispute settlements
• Identify new or emerging development issues of potential concern to AfCFTA State Parties in the areas of trade remedies and dispute settlements, particularly those of a regional nature, and designs and develops programmes and policy advice to address them
• Provide high quality factual reports, technical advisory notes and other relevant information notes to enable the smooth functioning of the Sub-committee on Trade remedies and any other relevant meetings
• Serve as a data resource in seminars and workshop on all trade remedies related issues
• Provide high quality factual reports, technical advisory notes and other relevant information notes to enable the smooth functioning of the Sub-Committee on Trade Remedies
• Ensure timely production and dissemination of minutes of technical meetings;
• Ensure correct interpretation of all trade remedies related instruments to ensure compliance by Member States and stakeholders; and
• Develop and implement the AfCFTA Agreement work plan including stakeholder engagement.

Supervise and Coordinate with Excellence:

• All studies and advocacy programmes on trade remedies and dispute settlements issues under the AfCFTA
• Production of the required inputs on issues relating to trade remedies and dispute settlements to the Director of TiGC for the periodic reports of the activities of the Directorate, ensuring that agreed deadlines for these inputs are strictly adhered to
• Work of all staff including short-term experts under the Trade Remedies Division to undertake subject-specific research into areas of concern to Member States’ representatives participating in technical meetings; and
• Preparation of speeches and regular briefs for senior staff and make presentations on trade remedies and dispute settlements issues for specialist or non-specialist audiences.

Collaborate and Mobilize Stakeholders:

• Proactively establish and operationalize Africa Network related to trade remedies and dispute settlements
• Ensure coordination and consultation with relevant stakeholders as well as facilitate policy dialogue amongst stakeholders
• Liaise with State Parties’ AfCFTA National Implementation Committees and structures with respect to all trade remedies and dispute settlements issues to facilitate the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement
• Ensure cooperation of all relevant authorities at the State Parties in order to facilitate the movement of goods within the AfCFTA
• Develop capacity building initiatives, in liaison with RECs and other organizations, in order to facilitate the implementation and enforcement of AfCFTA instruments and best practices
• Conceptualise and conduct of training sessions, workshops and seminars for AfCFTA State Parties
• Collaborate and develop good working relations and partnerships with relevant organisations such as UN Economic Commission for Africa and the World Trade Organisation, amongst others
• Liaise with other Divisions of Trade in Goods and Competition Directorate on research and all matters related to the Protocols on Trade in Goods and Competition
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director of TiGC.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A University Master’s degree or equivalent in International Trade Law or Law
• A minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant work experience in the Trade Remedies (Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Measures) and Dispute Settlement of which seven (7) years must be at managerial level
• Knowledge of or previous work experience in the conducting on-site verification visits; and
• Experience in conducting Anti-Dumping investigations.

Required Skills:

• Ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally
• Ability to Identify key strategic opportunities and risks
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to work independently and under tight deadlines;
• A high level of attention to detail; 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 Risk Management
• Change Management
• Developing Organizational Capacity

Core Competencies:

• Effective Communication
• Fosters Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Building Relationship

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Drive for Results
• Knowledge Sharing
• Fosters Innovation

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.

Renumeration

• Indicative basic salary of US$  50,746.00  (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 26,208.00 (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.

Application Closing Date
31st May, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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