Project Officer, Hub & Spokes

Reference: 110600332
Location: London, UK
Closing Date: 17 Jul 2011

General information

The Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec) with the support of the European Commission (EC) and in association with Organisation internationale de la Francophone (OIF) is implementing a programme of trade related technical assistance in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and regions through the Building the Capacity of ACP Countries in Trade Policy Formulation, Negotiations and Implementation (“Hub and Spokes”) Project.

The objective of the Project is to enhance the capacity of ACP countries and regional integration organisations (RIOs) to participate in ACP/EU negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and regional integration negotiations, and support trade policy formulation and implementation.

The project undertakes activities primarily focusing on:

• capacity building for ministries and organisations responsible for trade policy formulation and negotiations;
• enhancing skills and expertise of staff in these ministries and organisations;
• strengthening national and regional institutions and training organisations to ensure sustainable capacity;
• providing technical advice and studies on trade issues;
• strengthening coordination and communication mechanisms among ACP members on trade policy issues and strategies;
• identifying key stakeholders in countries and facilitate their engagement in and contribution to trade policy discussions and negotiations; and
• providing advice and support to governments in developing networks through which private and community sector groups can engage on trade issues.

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Project Manager the post holder will:

1. Assist the Project Manager and the Assistant Project Manager to develop a successor plan (second phase) for the Hub and Spokes Project;
2. Assist in developing lobbying strategies to secure funding and strengthen collaboration with RIOs;
3. Assist in the development of a Roadmap for phase II implementation;
4. Support the Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager to develop initiatives to institutional trade capacity building;
5. Collaborate with RIOS in designing customized programmes that meet regional trade capacity needs;
6. Monitor, evaluate and produce reports on project results in accordance with principles of result based management;
7. Contribute to ongoing project implementation; analyse bi-annual progress reports from Regional Trade Advisors and Trade Policy Analysts;
8. Keep the the Project website updated, including the generation of the Trade News bulletin and administration of the Trade Forum;
9. Assist with the organisation of and support meetings of the Commonwealth Secretariat Project Management Committee, OIF/ComSec Project Coordinating Committee, etc;
10. Ensure that the financial and other provisions of the Grant Agreement with the European Commission are adhered to, including reporting requirements;
11. Assist in monitoring day to day project activities, including project workshops, engagement of consultant/resource persons, and the disbursements of financial resources for technical work and related expenses;
12. Update Country Trade Profiles for relevant countries (ACP Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific regions);
13. Perform other tasks that may be required from time to time.

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