Director for Customs Administration (AfCFTA) 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 Organization 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: Director for Customs Administration (AfCFTA)

Requisition ID: 1662
Location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: Deputy Secretary General
Directorate/Department: African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Division: Customs Administration
Number of Direct Reports: 17
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: D1
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Responsible for the operations of the entire directorate/department. Plan, develop and implement strategic policies while promoting inter- directorate/department collaboration. Provide technical and strategic advice to the Secretary General and to the AfCFTA Institutions.

Main Functions

• Develop and maintain operating rules and procedures.
• Provide technical leadership and ensure efficient functioning of all Divisions.
• Ensure overall management of the directorate/department personnel, budget, performance, quality, discipline and training in conformity with relevant rules and procedures in force.
• Determine and execute the overall strategy of the directorate.
• Develop and oversee policy development guidelines.
• Prepare and oversee integrated programmes of overall activities of the directorate.
• Build and maintain a strategic plan to form good working relations with other directorates/departments.
• Develop and maintain regular working relations with top level stakeholders in appropriate agencies of Member States and partners.
• Organize coordination meetings between the organization and other relevant organizations.
• Ultimately responsible for preparing periodic financial and budget execution reports and annual financial statements and other reports.
• Promote awareness and training of best practices in area of expertise.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop Strategic Framework, Standard Operation Procedures that enhance trade facilitation and enforcement for Customs Cooperation
• Engage with State Parties, stakeholders and partners on custom matters and the implementation of trade facilitation measures
• Coordinate State Parties towards building efficient customs procedures, trade facilitation and transit systems
• Liaise with relevant national bodies on Custom cooperation and mutual administrative assistance
• Spearhead the establishment of modern data processing systems to facilitate effective and efficient custom operation and transmission of trade data
• Lead the Secretariat services for Directors-General/ Heads of Customs Committee and the Sub-Committee on Trade Facilitation, Customs Cooperation and Transit and other relevant meetings on Customs
• Monitor and report on the implementation of the customs-related provisions of the AfCFTA Agreement including the Annexes on Customs Cooperation, Trade Facilitation and Transit, administration of Rules of Origin, and resolution of related non-tariff barriers
• Lead activities related to the establishment of the African Continental Customs Union
• Determine and execute Directorate strategy and align to the AfCFTA overall Strategy

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Master’s Degree in International Trade, Development Economics, International Relations, International Business, International Law, Political Science or relevant discipline
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in professions related  to Customs Administration, Trade Facilitation, Transit, Administration of Rules of Origin, and Resolution of related Non-Tariff Barriers, at national, regional economic community, continental or international level out of which eight (8) years should be at managerial level managing professional staff in support of or within a national, regional, continental, or international institution.

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;
• Report writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Planning, organizational and reporting 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 areas; and  
• Proficiency in one of the AU Official working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish), fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Focus
• Developing Organizational Capability
• Change Leadership
• .Strategic Risk Management

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnerships
• Drives Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing..
• Drive for Results
• 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.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$  78,138 .00 (D1 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
8th March, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
• Only applications registered online with a complete curriculum vitae (CV) attached will be considered.
• The Africa Union is an equal-opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Gender Mainstreaming: The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.