Head of Rules of Origin Policies Division at 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 Rules of Origin Policies Division

Requisition ID: 266
Location: Accra, Ghana
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to: Director of Trade in Goods and Competition (TiGC)
Department: Directorate of Trade in Goods and Competition (TiGC)
Division: Rules of Origin (RoO) Division
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 RoO Division of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Main Functions

• Set the vision for the RoO Division and define and lead its overall strategy;
• 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 RoO, 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
Lead and Provide with effectiveness:

• Provide policy guidelines and facilitation of negotiations and implementation of related issues in Phase-I under the AfCFTA Agreement, with more emphasis on the Rules of Origin issues;
• Provide capacity building and technical support to Member States and Customs Unions to ensure smooth implementation of the Annex 2 on Rules of Origin of the Protocol on Trade in Goods of the AfCFTA Agreement.
• Provide policy advice regarding the challenges affecting the negotiations on RoO
• Ensure effective implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and propose activities or initiatives to address them
• Provide appropriate technical and other AfCFTA RoO-related advice to Member States’ representatives participating in technical meetings.
• Formulate and manage technical assistance programmes in support of the conclusion of RoO negotiations.
• Ensure implementations reflecting good understanding of RoO instruments for meaningful commencement and smooth continuation of trading under the AfCFTA.
• Ensure the timely production and dissemination of minutes of technical meetings.
• Work closely with other relevant divisions to resolve issues arising in relation to the applications of rules of origin under the AfCFTA.
• Provide high quality factual reports, technical advisory notes and other relevant information notes to enable the smooth functioning of the Sub-Committee on RoO
• Develop and implement AfCFTA work plan including stakeholder engagement.
• Provide assistance to State Parties during the process of RoO negotiations and all relevant work to facilitate the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement; and
• Lead technical assistance and capacity building initiatives to enable State Parties to conclude RoO negotiations and implement Annex 2 on RoO of the Protocol on Trade in Goods.

Supervise and Coordinate with Excellence:

• Oversee implementation of provisions of Annex 2 on Rules of Origin under the Protocol of Trade in goods under the AfCFTA Agreement.
• Oversee management of the Rules of Origin tool and instruments.
• Undertake all studies and advocacy programmes on Rules of Origin under the AfCFTA.
• Ensure production of the required inputs on issues relating to Rules of Origin under the AfCFTA Director of Trade in Goods and Competition, whilst ensuring the adherence to the agreed deadlines.
• Supervise all staff including short-term experts under the RoO Division to undertake subject-specific research into areas of concern to Member States’ representatives participating in technical meetings; and
• Prepare speeches and regular briefs for senior staff and makes presentations on RoO matters for specialist or non-specialist audiences on trade and any relevant issues.

Collaborate and Mobilize Stakeholder:

• Proactively establish and operationalize strong African network which shall be responsible for coordination and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate policy dialogue on RoO under the AfCFTA amongst stakeholders
• 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.
• Work on advancing and placing the AfCFTA Agreement agenda for Africa in international organisations such as the WTO and UNCTAD.
• 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; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Trade in Goods and Competition.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• An advanced university degree or equivalent in a quantitative in Economics, International Trade Law, or Law.
• A minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant work experience in the area of trade policy at regional or multilateral level of which seven (7) years must be at managerial level.
• Knowledge of or previous work experience in the fields of international trade policy and/or tariff regimes would constitute an asset.
• Experience in coordination of trade related programmes will be an added advantage.

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:

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

Functional Competencies:

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

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$ 50,746.00 (P5 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.

Application Closing Date
31st May, 2021.