Programme Manager, Trade Facilitation, JG5 at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA)

Job summary

Programme Manager, Trade Facilitation (TF) will lead and manage the design and implementation of all projects, within Kenya country programme, which support trade policy & integrated corridor management, Standards Quality Infrastructure (SQI) & Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) measures, and digital trade. These projects and interventions will be funded by a range of donors who are directly supporting the delivery of the country programme, such as the EU, USAID, UK – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office (FCDO), DANIDA, to mention as few. The Programme manager will support the Country Director, Kenya in engagements and in managing relationships with Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with an overall mandate of facilitating Kenya’s trade.

To bolster green economic growth and create decent job opportunities in Kenya, TMA supports programmes such as the Economic Recovery and Reforms Activity (ERRA), funded by USAID, to unlock export growth and job creation in key value chains linked to structured trade in food commodities and Cotton, Textile and Garments (CTG). Also, under ERRA, TMA has launched a job creation call for proposals from the private sector in Kenya and will provide cost sharing grants to unlock exports and growth in agribusiness and CTG; and the Business Environment and Export Enhancement Programme (BEEEP), funded by the EU, with a focus on avocadoes, mangoes, and vegetables value chains.

The programme manager will lead on activities throughout the whole Project Life Cycle Management (PCM) including at designing phases, planning and implementation; monitoring, evaluation, collaboration, learning and dissemination; quality assurance, reporting and oversight with regular steering committees; and stakeholder engagement including coordination with country and regional teams and external actors. Some of the ongoing donor funded programs are funded by the USAID Economic Recovery and Reform Activity (ERRA) and the EU Funded Business Environment and Export Enhancement Programme (BEEP).

Academic qualifications, technical knowledge and experience

•  A postgraduate or undergraduate degree in Economics, Development Studies, International Trade, or related field. A master’s degree in a related field and qualifications in project planning and management will be an added advantage.
•  Undergraduate degree holders will be required to have at least 10 years of relevant working experience, while postgraduate degree holders will be required to have at least 8 years of relevant working experience.
•  Minimum of three years of management experience is mandatory.
•  Practical knowledge of the trade and development needs of developing countries and a good understanding of trade facilitation context at regional and continental level.
•  Experience in working with private sector and civil society to deliver trade capacity support and to support trade related advocacy.
•  Experience in project and financial management including assessment and evaluation in East Africa.
•  Good understanding of the national and regional socio-political and economic contexts in East Africa.
•  Good understanding of national governance issues and strong familiarity with national stakeholders
•  Experience in managing multiple projects, demonstrated organisational skills and attention to detail.
•  Excellent influencing, networking, and relationship building.
•  Ability to work within and communicate effectively within a matrix structure and between regional and technical teams.
•  Excellent communication and written and spoken English.
•  Ability to prioritise and produce work of a consistently high standard.
•  Comfortable working under pressure and within tight deadlines with ability to multi-task.
•  Experience with gender and social inclusion in programming a strong advantage.
•  Knowledge of Kiswahili/or French would be an advantage.