Trade Specialist (ARBE) 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: Trade Specialist (ARBE)

Req Id: 2730
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: P03
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Reports to: FSRP Project Coordinator 
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Development
Division : Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Purpose of Job

• The Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa Project (FSRP) funded by the World Bank with the objective to increase the resilience of food systems and preparation for food security in targeted parts of Eastern and Southern Africa.

Main Functions

• Provide technical guidance, recommendations and support the implementation of the Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa (FSRP) project for trade policy and related issues. 
• Support the implementation of project activities in the areas of responsibility and monitor implementation, including timely reporting.
• Assist the FRSP Project Coordinator in the daily management of the FSRP Project in line with the area of responsibility. 
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Project, including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.

Specific Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of trade policies and regulations affecting food systems in Africa, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
• Provide technical support to the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to promote regional trade integration and cooperation in food systems. 
• Support the implementation of the AfCFTA, including the development of national strategies and action plans for implementing the agreement.
• Identify and address trade facilitation challenges affecting food systems in Africa, including customs procedures, transportation logistics, and standards compliance.
• Support African countries to improve market access for their food products, including through the negotiation of trade agreements and the development of export promotion strategies.
• Engage with the private sector to promote trade and investment in food systems in Africa, including through the development of public-private partnerships. 
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to African countries to enhance their capacity to participate in regional and international trade. 
• Support African countries to develop national strategies and action plans for implementing the AfCFTA. 
• Provide technical support to African countries to implement the AfCFTA's trade in goods provisions, including tariff liberalization and rules of origin. 
• Support African countries to implement the AfCFTA's sanitary and phytosanitary measures, including the development of national standards and regulations.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in trade or related fields with at least 10 years of relevant experience, of which 3 years should be at supervisory level. 
• Or a Master’s degree in trade or related fields with at least 7 years of relevant experience, of which 3 years should be at supervisory level. 
• Experience in working in the context of large and complex projects.  
• Experience in the conduct of trade policy dialogue. 

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Sound planning and organisational skills
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Fosters Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation.

Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

Gender Manistreaming:

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

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 96,921.34 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
11th July, 2025, 11h59 p.m. EAT.