National Trade Advisers : Southern & Eastern Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific

Location: Southern & Eastern Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific
Closing Date: 30 Oct 2012

Job Summary

• Conduct a trade capacity development needs assessment for in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries with the support of the Regional Trade Adviser at regional integration secretariats (RIOs) and counterpart officials at host ministries. It is expected that this needs assessment will facilitate the development of the Trade Adviser’s broad work plan and identify key interventions for the duration of this assignment.
• To act as a day-to-day economic or legal Adviser on relevant trade policy matters arising at the host ministry.
• To assist in the drafting of relevant national trade laws and regulations as well as in the interpretation and implementation of World Trade Organisation (WTO), regional and bilateral trade negotiating texts and agreements.
• To assist in the development and analysis of relevant trade-related national economic policies as well as in the negotiation and implementation of WTO, regional and bilateral trade agreements.
• Assist in the development and provision of trade policy and related training to government officials, private sector representatives, members of parliament, civil society and other relevant stakeholders.
• Work with aid-for-trade donors active in the region and host country in the preparation of high quality technical proposals aimed at providing additional capacity building support and trade-related technical assistance to ACP countries.
• Participate in, and contribute to, regional Programme activities with a view to identifying opportunities for regional collaboration on trade capacity development activities.
• Planning and reporting duties as required in support of the broader Programme objectives. This will include, for example, the submission of bi-annual work plans, participation in regional planning workshops and contributing to case studies and other programme reports. The planning and reporting of Programme activities should be conducted in compliance with best practices in Results Based Management.
• Contribute to intra-ACP and regional communications and technical exchanges on trade capacity development initiatives, experiences and lessons learnt.
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities proposed in the Programme operating budget.
• Prepare six monthly progress reports in a prescribed format.
• Undertake any other related duties assigned by your supervisor and Programme management.

Qualifications and Work Experience

• Post Graduate qualifications (completed or due to be completed) in Economics, International Trade, Trade Law, Public Policy, Statistics or related disciplines.
• Some posts may require French, Portuguese or Spanish language

About the Hub & Spokes II Programme

Since 2004, the European Commission (EC), the Commonwealth Secretariat and Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) have recognised the scale of the trade development challenge facing many African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) member countries and provided assistance through The Hub & Spokes Project. With the support of the ACP Secretariat, from July 2012 donor partners are now able to offer continued trade-related technical assistance to ACP member states through the Hub & Spokes II Programme.
The Commonwealth Secretariat is responsible for the implementation of the Hub & Spokes II Programme in Eastern and Southern Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific regions as well as at the African Union Commission. The OIF is responsible for the implementation of the project in the regions of West and Central Africa.
The overall goal of the Hub & Spokes II Programme is to contribute to sustainable economic development and poverty reduction in ACP countries through closer regional integration and increased participation in the global economy. This will be achieved by enhancing the capacity of ACP countries to formulate suitable trade policies, participate effectively in international trade negotiations and implement trade agreements.

Further Information

Apply by sending Curriculum Vitae to:
Manager
Hub and Spokes II Programme
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall, London SW1 Y 5HX
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 207 747 6145
Fax: +44 (0) 207 747 6504
Email: n.waniala@commonwealth.int

Job Description for National Trade Advisers, Southern & Eastern Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific