General Secretary - African Union

Under the overall guidance of the Council of Ministers, to provide leadership and technical support to AfCFTA Secretariat and overall management of the day-to-day functioning of the Secretariat to ensure it achieves its desired mandate. In particular, The Secretary General will be responsible for the management of the AfCFTA Secretariat, implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and strategic collaboration; diplomatic, representation and stakeholders’ engagement; information management and dissemination and resources mobilization for the implementation of the AfCFTA.

Tasks

Leadership and management of the AfCFTA Secretariat

• Provide leadership and overall management of the AfCFTA Secretariat, this include undertaking measures aimed at promoting the timely administration and implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement;
• Administration and finances of the Secretariat in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement and in line with the African Union rules and regulations;
• Developing draft staff and financial regulations of the Secretariat for approval by the Council of Ministers
• Develop operational and administrative policies and guidelines;
• Appointment of the staff of the Secretariat, in accordance with staff regulations;
• Prepare and execute the Annual Budget and the Work Programme of the AfCFTA Secretariat;
• Prepare the budget and Audited Accounts of the AfCFTA Secretariat for consideration by the Council of Ministers;
• Prepare of Annual reports of the activities of the AfCFTA Secretariat and its institutions for consideration by the Council of Ministers; and
• Custodian of the AfCFTA properties including documents and archive.

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Implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and Strategic Collaboration

• Serve as a depository of notifications from State Parties required under the AfCFTA Agreement and transmit such notifications to State Parties;
• Supporting the establishment and ensuring the proper functioning of other AfCFTA implementation structure and the Dispute Settlement Mechanism in accordance with the AfCFTA Agreements and relevant Protocols and facilitate the implementation of their decisions;
• Organize and service meetings of the AfCFTA Institutions provided for in Article 9 of the AfCFTA Agreement as well as other implementation structures established pursuant to the AfCFTA Agreement;
• Assist the AfCFTA State Parties in the implementation process, including domestication, commissioning of studies, preparation of briefings and working papers and the undertaking of consultations as requested;
• Initiate program and initiatives to build the capacity AfCFTA State Parties to implement the AfCFTA Agreement;
• Provide guidance, support and monitor the performance of the AfCFTA in the various aspects of administration and implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement to ensure conformity and harmony with agreed policies, strategies, programmes and projects;
• Provide timely, high quality analytical advice and conduct studies in areas relevant to AfCFTA implementation activities;
• Promote strategic collaboration among the AfCFTA Secretariat, the AU Commission and the Secretariat Tasks of the Regional Economic Communities with a view to aligning programmes and institutions as well as facilitating the establishment of the African Common Market and the African Economic Community; and
• Liaise closely with the AU Commission with respect to issues pertaining to AfCFTA negotiations and related issues.

Diplomatic, representation and stakeholders’ engagement

• Develop and implement communication, public relations and promotion strategies of the AfCFTA in respect to implementation of the Agreement; and
• Collaborate with the Private Sector and civil society in the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement.

Information management and dissemination

• Establish means for the collection, dissemination and exchange of information and statistics in close collaboration with relevant institutions of the AU Commission including the African Trade Observatory; and
• Publicizing the activities of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Resources mobilization

Develop and establish mechanisms and strategies for resources mobilization for the AfCFTA in close collaboration with the AU Commission and under the guidance of the Council of Ministers of AfCFTA.

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Other duties

Perform any other related functions as may be determined from time to time by the Committee of Senior Officials, the Council of Ministers or the African Union Heads of State and Governments Summit.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants must have:

• A minimum of an advanced/master’s university degree in the fields of International Trade, Economics, International Relations, International Development Policy, Law, Business Administration or other relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 15 years extensive and relevant work experience in positions dealing with trade, economics or related subjects agreements;
• Established record of implementation and monitoring of multilateral or regional or bilateral trade agreements, particularly the dispute settlement mechanisms and trade defense instruments of such agreements;
• Experience in leading the formulation and implementation of trade policies at national or regional levels, including proven ability to achieve consensus of domestic or regional stakeholders;
• Experience in working with and advising governments at a senior management/executive level; Previous managerial experience in leading an organization and/or a team of professionals; and
• Experience in project management and leading change in an organization.