Director, Trade Policy and Facilitation at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA)

Line Manager: Senior Director, Trade Environment
Grade: JG4
Direct reports:

1. Manager, Trade Policy
2. Manager, Trade Facilitation

Department: Trade Environment Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Job summary

The job holder is The role ensures analytical work, capacity building and sharing information from research, implementation experiences and lessons, statistical and data work, and partnerships. The Director for Trade Policy and Facilitation will also provide technical lead on trade policy and facilitation related support to country offices and partner organizations as needed, including the Integrated Border Management, work around the post Bali WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement; the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and related Trade in Services components. The position will lead and coordinate TMEA’s involvement in Aid for Trade discussions including the recent concluded WTO TFA with a view to increasing TMEA’s visibility with regards to practical application of Aid for Trade on the ground. The person in this position will report to the Senior Director, Trade Environment. Part of their responsibility will be to closely manage the information nexus on trade policy, trade facilitation and related trade issues between the AfCFTA Secretariat and related Regional Economic Community (RECs) Secretariats such as EAC, IGAD, COMESA and TMEA’s regional and national programs, including occasional oversight of TMEA-funded Technical Advisors at the RECs Secretariat and Country Programmes.

Roles and responsibilities

• Trade Policy/Facilitation Programme Management & Oversight
• Formulation and implement TMEA’s Trade Policy and Facilitation strategy as per the prevailing TMEA Theory of Change.
• Formulate and direct TMEA’s trade policy and trade facilitation programming at continental, regional and national level.
• Oversee and direct the designing and implementation of TMEA’s trade policy and trade facilitation projects and interventions.
• Oversee and direct the generation of innovations and ideations in trade policy and trade facilitation, incubating them and translating them to implementable and practical solutions in addressing trade regulatory and policy challenges in the trade and business environment.
• Direct and organise TMEA’s research work related to the trade environment and its programming – providing insights to the results and impact of TMEA programming in the trade environment. This will be done covering all TMEA outcome areas and programming with a particular focus on the trade policy
• Direct programme delivery by ensuring good practice Project Cycle Management (PCM) is followed by the whole team in terms of project design, procurement & contract management, outcome/output-based planning, reporting and financial management, and results-oriented monitoring, learning and evaluation.
• Develop and manage on time and within budget the annual plans and budgets for the trade policy and facilitation function across regional and country programmes and monitor and report progress regularly.
• Manage, mentor and motivate the trade policy and facilitation team within TMEA, ensuring their work tasks are completed to the quality and timeliness expected.
• Ensure trade policy and facilitation coherence across TMEAs work streams and projects to enhance
• regional and continental trade integration.
• In line with TMEA strategy, provide leadership and strategic direction on TMEA’s work on trade policy and facilitation in general and with specific focus on Trade Policy Development; Customs Trade Facilitation Interventions; Integrated Border Management; Non-Tariff Barriers and work around Trade Agreements, such as WTO TFA; AfCFTA; and other bilateral and multilateral agreement and systems supporting increased trade in countries where TMEA operates and has programmes.
• Identify and design programs to enhance liberalization of services trade in RECs and AfCFTA for specific strategic sectors in line with the Trade Agreements but also focusing priority sectors for TMEA’s work such as transport and trade facilitation.
• Working in close consultation with the TMEA regional and Country offices, design and support programs to enhance implementation of regionally agreed trade policies and agreements.
• Through trade policy analysis, identify opportunities to enhance linkages and to maximise synergies through trade policy reforms, between infrastructure development, private sector advocacy and regional integration.
• Oversee and direct policy analysis and research, to inform policy making as well as promote dialogue among TMEA’s key stakeholders.
• Support TMEA knowledge and research development in relation to impact of trade and transport programming impact on the trade environment.
• Support and facilitate private sector-based interventions managed by TMEA regional and country teams, provide technical inputs and advice in the development and delivery of trade policy and trade facilitation related support projects /activities to partners to enhance policy advocacy by TMEA’s Business Competitive Outcome areas at the continental, regional and national levels.
• Through application of various policy analysis tools, commission and undertake analyses to monitor trade performance in the region in collaboration with the relevant teams within TMEA and partners.

Knowledge Management and lesson Learning

• Develop and implement core Trade Policy and Facilitation capacity development activities at regional and national level (e.g., setting up Communities of Practice, training, coaching, information sessions), with partner organisations and for TMEA staff.
• Work with country and regional teams to provide technical advice and input on trade policy, trade facilitation and trade related activities under various work streams internally and/or with partners.
• Develop and implement a regular programme of topical seminars and talks for TMEA staff on research findings, from key informants on trade policy, trade facilitation and other trade related issues.
• Ensure that effective training programs are offered to trade negotiators, private sector and civil society stakeholders to better participate in trade negotiations or undertake trade related advocacy.
• Contribute to research and knowledge materials including flagship publications, policy and research studies, economic research papers and briefs.
• Through training and capacity building programmes, improve and deepen TMEA staff and partner organisations’ understanding of trade policy and trade facilitation and trade related policy issues.
• Lead teams in regular informal and formal reflection, knowledge sharing and learning events.
• Quality-assure tools and procedures to document and share knowledge, incentivise staff/teams and enforce compliance and standards.
• Participate in regular informal and formal reflection, knowledge sharing and learning events.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for knowledge sharing and learning.

Strategy and Results

• Work closely with the START team to ensure delivery of the key outcomes that impact on trade policy aspects of TMEA Strategy in close liaison on with other regional Directors.
• Work with Knowledge & Results and the Research Directors to carry out trade data analysis to assess the impact of TMEA support towards enhancing the EAC trading environment.
• Use trade data and policy analysis to identify and draw linkages between trade policy options and infrastructure development programs with a view to informing operational options, enhancing effectiveness of TMEA interventions and/or informing strategic decisions.

Communications

• In collaboration with the Communications team, provide material for publication, demonstrating results and good practice in TMEA’s work especially around flagship trade policy and facilitation projects.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and communication materials.

Partnerships.

• Establish, develop and maintain partnerships with key organizations, stakeholders and partners including national Government agencies and international and regional non-governmental, private sector and civil society organisations with a focus on trade policy dialogue, trade capacity building and sharing of knowledge and best practices.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the heads of Trade and Trade policy teams in Regional Economic Communities, particularly the EAC (and the TMEA-funded Trade Policy Advisor based there), and other multilateral trade organizations such as WTO, WCO, UNCTAD, ITC and EIF as well as non-governmental trade organisations.
• Coordinate TMEA’s contributions and inputs to the Aid for Trade, work around post Bali WTO TFA and other trade related discussions at regional and global levels, working closely with all relevant Directors and teams across TMEA.

Audit & Assurance

• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices and behaviours and embed a positive risk and control culture.
• Demonstrate prudence, sound judgement and appropriate and timely escalations in management of all types of risk (including fraud risk) applicable to my role.
• Understand and comply with the relevant end-to-end processes including applicable risks and controls.
• Seek to identify, understand and escalate risk events/incidents/ issues on a timely basis focusing on fixing root-causes and taking ownership of identified mitigating actions.
• Complete all relevant mandatory trainings within the stipulated timelines.

Corporate Level Responsibilities

• Ensure that all TMEA’s corporate systems and procedures are followed in the TCP and TEPP offices.
• Establish, mentor and manage the programme teams to the highest professional standards.
• Ensure good practice PCM is followed by the whole team in terms of project design, procurement & contract management, outcome/output-based planning, reporting and financial management, and results-oriented monitoring, learning and evaluation.
• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices and behaviours and embed a positive risk and control culture.
• Demonstrate prudence, sound judgement and appropriate and timely escalations in management of all types of risk (including political and fraud risk) applicable to the role.
• Understand and comply with the relevant end-to-end processes including applicable risks and controls.
• Seek to identify, understand and escalate risk events/incidents/ issues on a timely basis focusing on fixing root-causes and taking ownership of identified mitigating actions.
• Lead teams in regular informal and formal reflection, knowledge sharing and learning events.
• Quality-assure tools and procedures to document and share knowledge, incentivise staff/teams and enforce compliance and standards.
• Complete all relevant mandatory trainings within the stipulated timelines.
• Promote and adhere to TMEA’s core values and ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Maintain zero tolerance to bribery, fraud and corruption, and ensure the immediate reporting of any corruption or suspect behaviour that threatens TMEA’s reputation.
• Adhere to the safeguarding policies and procedures and immediately report any safeguarding concerns.
• Act with political impartiality and do not engage with partisan politics and political movements or strongly express statements that are political in nature as they can be misconstrued within the politically charged country contexts; and
• Any other related responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager from time to time.

Organisational positioning

• Chief of Programs
• Senior Director, Trade Environment
• Director, Trade Policy and Facilitation (JG4)
• Manager, Trade Facilitation (JG5)
• Manager, Trade Policy (JG6)

Academic and professional qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in Economics, Development Studies, International Trade, Planning, Finance, Management or other relevant subjects.
• Trade Policy and International Trade qualifications are a distinct advantage.

Work experience

• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least 12 years of relevant working experience in programme management; postgraduate degree holders will have at least 10 years of relevant working experience (experience in leading the development and delivery of Trade and trade-related capacity development programmes to enhance the capacities of developing countries in trade policy development, formulation and implementation trade facilitation reforms, regional integration, and support to
• national governments.)
• Five years of leadership and management experience.
• Significant work experience with Regional Economic Communities in East and Southern Africa and work experience in an international multicultural environment.
• A good understanding of trade policy context and regional integration in East and Southern Africa.
• Good understanding of the dynamics affecting trade policy at national, regional and at the global multilateral levels.
• Very good understanding of the multilateral trading systems and their implication for regional integration.
• Significant knowledge of the trade and development needs of developing countries.
• Good understanding of trade policy, trade facilitation, infrastructure and transport/logistics.
• Good understanding of Customs and its related trade and transport interfaces.
• Experience in working with private sector and civil society to deliver trade capacity support and to support trade related advocacy.

Additional skills

• Knowledge and experience of trade policy, trade facilitation, trade related capacity building and technical assistance programmes.
• Strong management, mentoring and relationship and networking skills.
• Proven intellectual and strategic thinking/leadership skills.
• Good management and relationship skills and the ability to work with and influencing diverse teams, understating trade reforms and delivering change.
• Sound decision-making and judgement.
• Excellent problem solving, and analytical skills including the ability to analyse emerging issues and develop strategic responses.
• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office and analytical/statistical software packages.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including ability to write clearly and succinctly in English.
• Self-motivated learner with excellent quality orientation and attention to detail.
• Ability to proactively lead and respond to change, and a commitment to collaboration and a jointaccountability approach.

Additional/background information

TMEA is working with partners to implement a wide range of projects ranging from physical infrastructure (e.g. construction of one stop border posts), public sector reform (e.g. development/upgrading and implementation of legislation, policy, systems, procedures as well as improved relationships, coordination and collaboration) in EAC Partner States and at the EAC; development of information technology solutions such as information portals and the online submission of import/export data and documents; and private sector and civil society advocacy and collaboration. TMEA’s strategy prioritises full implementation of the EAC Customs Union and key elements of the Common Market Protocol as focus areas for its support program to enhance regional integration and trade in the EAC region.