Port Advisor (Trade Mark East Africa)

TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) is an initiative funded by a range of development agencies to promote regional trade and economic integration in East Africa. TMEA works closely with national governments, business and civil society and East Africa Community (EAC) institutions.

It supports East African economic integration by unlocking economic potential through (i) a reduction in transport and related costs along the key corridors in East Africa; (ii) engaging private sector and civil society to positively influence regional integration policies and practices for growth in trade; (iii) supporting partner states to substantially increase the implementation of a comprehensive framework for regional integration; and (iv) supporting EAC institutions to develop a comprehensive framework for regional integration.


TMEA, in liaison with the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite, IGAD and TradeMark Southern Africa (TMSA), is organising a High Level Investment Conference scheduled for 28 and 29 September 2011, where bankable projects and a project pipeline that will deepen regional integration will be presented for financing considerations, under the direction of the Tripartite.

The objectives of this conference will be to agree and endorse at a high level the action plan for the development of the Northern, Central, Djibouti and Lamu Corridors; avail resources to develop a list of indicative projects for infrastructure investments on the Northern, Central, Djibouti and Lamu Corridors; undertake to have a smaller number of near-bankable or bankable projects that will be highlighted for public and private investment; and avail resources for regulatory reform and trade logistics technical assistance projects required to support investment in infrastructure for the Northern and Central Corridor.


We seek to recruit a high calibre, results-oriented and self-driven professional to provide leadership, direction and technical expertise in support of the infrastructure investment conference in the position detailed below.


Ports Adviser

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Regional Programmes, the Ports Adviser will lead the strategic analysis of the current operational efficiency of the Ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam and their capacity to effectively support trade facilitation and competitiveness within East and Central Africa regions.

S/he will work with the TMEA Infrastructure Adviser to design strategic investment proposals geared towards improved port performance, in infrastructural and procedural competency in East Africa for the purpose of increasing trade and economic performance.

The Ports Adviser will liaise with the TMEA Infrastructure Adviser to coordinate port infrastructure project development and packaging ahead of the infrastructure investment conference. This will include supporting the development and packaging of specific sequenced port investment projects that combine heavy infrastructure development with complementary Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects for a holistic improvement of East African ports.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Kenya and Tanzania Port Authority officials. In addition, s/he will work closely with the TMEA Economic Corridor team in Nairobi, Port Specialists in Dar es Salaam, as well as the TMEA Kenya and Tanzania Country Directors and their respective teams.


This position requires an individual with high personal drive, initiative and leadership. The successful candidate will possess an undergraduate degree in Ports Management, Engineering, Economics, or a related discipline. A Masters’ degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.

The successful candidate must have at least 10 years of ports and infrastructure related experience preferably gained within East Africa including demonstrable skills and experience in ports development and management particularly related to improving cargo handling at ports, modernising port equipment and increasing port utilisation and efficiency.


Application details

The position is available on a 3 year contract beginning in June 2011 and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.


If your aspirations and experience match this exciting opportunity, please send us a cover letter and detailed CV, including your qualifications, experience, present position, and current remuneration. It should include names and addresses of three referees, a working e-mail address, and daytime telephone contacts. The cover letter must clearly indicate ‘Ports Adviser’ on the subject line. Send your application by Friday, 6 May 2011 by 5.00pm East African time.


Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 16 May 2011 and will be held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Further details about TradeMark East Africa can be found on our website: www.trademarkea.com

Applications received after the deadline time and date will not be accepted. We reserve the right to accept or reject any application. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.