Openings at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA)

Roles and responsibilities 

• Strategic leadership and programme development 
• As member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and the Senior Leadership and Management Team (SLMT) support the process and engagements in setting the strategic direction of the organisation around strategy, people, operations, culture and corporate issues. This will include engaging in decision-making;taking collective responsibility for SLMT and SLT decisions,supporting and disseminating them; and activelypromoting staff engagement and setting a kind, collaborative and professional culture.
• Oversee the design, development and delivery of a large, complex portfolio across Africa at continental, regional/corridor and national levels to improve Africa’s trade environment. This will include projects focused on improving the continental, regional and national Trade policy environment and enhancing the continental/regional investment climate and governance e.g. support to the Continental and regionalorgans, supporting Ministries of Trade and investment in countries of TMA’s operations, standards harmonisation, elimination of NTBs and providing ICT support for trade facilitation;
• Continuously review programmes and projects within the portfolio and suggest refinements to TMA’s Theory of Change in liaison with the Senior Management Team;
• Develop trade environment programming strategies and oversee their implementation, including strategic planning, resources planning and allocation, project proposals and Project Appraisal Reports (PARs);
• Accountable for the achievement of the trade environment objectives and ensuring programmatic consistency, delivery and quality assurance across the entire portfolio of projects whilst demonstrating value for money and having clear mechanisms for measuring results. This will require close liaison with the 

Job description

• respective country and regional Portfolio Senior Directors; Country and Technical Directors; Country and Technical Managers; Programme Delivery Hub (PDH);
• Liaise with Technical Directors, Country Directors and Technical Advisers to agree delivery mechanisms and targets, and review progress on achievement of outcome level milestones and desired results, contributing to delivery of TMA’s objectives and meeting all mobilisation and spending targets; 
• Appraise and undertake due diligence of potential investment opportunities;
• Work with the Chief of Programmes to ensure effective matrix management and lead in the development of strong working relationships among Portfolio Directors, Project Leaders and Technical Directors, and mediate and resolve disputes, as needed;
• Effective liaison with delivery partners and investors on programmatic issues and performance monitoring; and
• As part of the Senior Management team, support efficient and adaptive implementation of TMA’s strategy in collaboration with TMA’s Senior Leadership and other Management Teams.Strategic partnerships/relationships
• Carry out high level representation of TMA at various national, regional and international events and conferences and allied fundraising as agreed with the Chief of Programmes and CEO; 
• Lead on the implementation of regular dialogue with TMA’s trade environment stakeholders including through the formation of different advisory groups related to key areas of the portfolio;
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders including existing and potential donors and implementing partners;
• Make substantive contributions to the operationalisation of TMA's leadership development and succession plan and ensure that the organisation attracts and retains high calibre human resources to optimise organisational performance; 
• Demonstrate commitment to the inclusive establishment, implementation, assessment and continuous improvement of TMA management systems and policies. This includes contributing to the development of measurable corporate goals and objectives in line with TMA priorities; and
• Actively engage with the senior leadership and management colleagues and contribute to strategic decision making and problem solving. Monitoring, evaluation and reportin

Academic and professional qualifications 

• Undergraduate or Masters’ degree preferably in Economics, Development Studies, International Trade, Planning, Finance, Management or other related fields.
• Trade Policy or International Trade qualifications are a distinct advantage.

Work experience 

• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least 15 years’ working experience, including seven years of leadership and management experience.
• Postgraduate degree holders will require at least 13 years’ experience including seven years of relevant leadership and management experience.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in leading the development and delivery of trade improvement initiatives and trade-related capacity development programmes to enhance the capacities of developing countries in trade policy development, formulation and implementation of trade reforms, regional integration, and support to national governments.
• Significant work experience and networks with Regional Economic Communities in West Africa, East Africa, Horn of Africa or Southern Africa. 
• Experience in working with private sector and civil society to deliver trade capacity support and to support trade related advocacy.
• Three years of relevant senior level experience within Africa or other developing economies are essential for this role

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Roles and responsibilities 
Strategy planning & Reporting

• Provide supporttDirector of Communication in developing the Corporate Communications Strategy, including:
• annual communication plans and budgeting, results tracking and reporting with a focus on corporate and stakeholder communication of results.
• advise the senior TMA team, programme partners and agencies in implementation of the agreed strategy and in dealing with identified crisis issues.
• develop and maintain consistent messaging for the organisation, impact areas, countries/clusters, and key issue and campaigns.
• help shape issues management 
• crisis communication 
• operate as a trusted communication leader in the organisation, providing insightful, thoughtful, and relevant counsel tthe Senior Leadership Team, regional, country and functional-cross cutting teams.

CEO's Office Support

• Support the CEOs office in creating, collating, and packaging marketing and communications information about TMAs key results and impacts tsupport fundraising. 
• Under the direction of the Communications Director, manage the CEO’s corporate communications requirements tincrease TMA’s visibility among key stakeholders. Tinclude identify and target audiences andstakeholders teffectively position TMA as a key aid-for-trade organisation and advocate on the topics centraltour work, raise the profile of these and our points of view, position the relevant members of TMA as expertson these topics, and highlight the successes and impact of the organisations whom we are funding.
• Focal Point with Board, Donor institutions and Senior Leadership Team tdevelop partnership opportunities in close collaboration with Communication Director and Programme teams. In this role, the incumbent will represent the unit in partner convened processes relating tbrand positioning. 
• Prepare periodic reports tthe CEand prepare briefings tmeetings of the Council and Board of Directors. 
• Create and execute action-oriented experiences for CEand board members such as mission visits tidentified programmes and partners, media engagements, participation in global convenings and campaigns. Coordinatesuch identified engagements.
• Share lessons learned from the field and TMA’s research based technical approaches tAid for Trade issues in Eastern Africa and provide insights tthe program teams tposition TMA for future collaborations and funding opportunities.

Job description

• Expert Support in Programme Communications: Partner with TMA Regional Directors and Country leads tbuild strategic communication intprogrammes 
• Review portfoliwork with regional and country directors texplore, design and undertake strategic communications initiativesfor TMA supported programmes and grantees; prioritise on quick win efforts tbuild awareness and push agendas.
• Advise and coach regional and country directors as well as communication focal points on communications objectives, strategy and tactics and advise on maximising visibility opportunities sustainably. 
• Mainstream programme communication principles within programme management cycle through collaboration with teams ttailor-made communication solutions for individual programmes in consideration of social political climate. Includes: Work plans, budgets and implementation plans. 
• Develop and execute integrated communication campaigns and standalone tactics tsupport programmatic goals and fuel positive change.
• Support country teams remotely and in country tdevelop and execute strategic communications projects, provide quality assurance and dotted line support tin-country based communication focal points which report intthe country team.

Content Development & Dissemination

• Review, develop and re-purpose information and messages for TMAs audiences using a variety of media including TMAs owned media (Website, Intranet, Extranet, Social Media Platforms).
• Lead continuous innovation tensure the organisation and department taps intevolving and emerging tools and technologies of communication.

Media Relations & Management

• Refine and strengthen TMA’s approach tmedia relations and storytelling, proactively positioning its work and points of view with key media and ensuring we are effectively leveraging research, announcements, and partner stories tbuild our profile.
• Drive editorial story planning and documentation tboth national, regional and pan-African press, including collaboration with senior editors, reporter follow-up (fact-finding, pitching, messaging, quote development/approval, executive interview coordination, etc.). 
• Effectively build and manage relationships with TMA programme teams, donors, grantees, public partnerinstitutions, communication agencies, vendors and media for symbiotic storytelling and topic amplification.Brand Management
• Responsible for managing the TMA brand by working with the Communication Officer treinforce use of the graphics manual standard with regards tthe TMA logapplication, events management and branding.Internal Communications
• Responsible for improving communication among staff on TMAs programmes, projects, results and impacts leveraging the TMA intranet. Promote, facilitate and build a results focus, learning and information sharing across TMA.

Academic and professional qualifications 

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, 
• Marketing, Political Science or related disciplines.

Work experience 

• Postgraduate degree holders will have 8 years and undergraduate degree holders will have 10 years of substantial 
• professional experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility largely in a communications function and working in multiple countries for an international development organisation, International NGO or private sector.

Technical skills and behavioural competencies

• A team player with high EQ and ability to navigate ambiguous and matrixed environments, comfortable at managing up and beyond hierarchy.
• Strong knowledge and ability in media relations, digital communications, marketing communications, events management and narrative development
• Digitally savvy and experience in electronic media production 
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English is required, French is desirable.
• Knowledge of media landscape in East Africa, West Africa, and the Horn is required.
• Track record of delivering strategic communication, business development for communication, people management, relationship management and knowledge management.
• In-depth understanding of audience mapping and expertise in high-impact messaging to strategic audience.
• Knowledge of national/international political trends impacting trade and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships. 
• Strong initiative and follow through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically

Job description

• Functional proficiency in leading the planning, development, and execution of a communication strategy in support of defined objectives.
• Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills - Has the ability to rapidly analyse and integrate information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations. 
• Content Development - Must have functional proficiency to create story maps, define document concepts,write, rewrite, or edit complex communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and the logical, persuasive presentation.
• Results and outcome focused 
• Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.
• Proven experience in working as both a leader and a member of a team.
• Knowledge, Learning, and Communication - Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares information in a clear and organized manner.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyses facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work.
• Self-motivated, creative, excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks, and ability to work with both internal and external constituencies

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Roles and responsibilities 

• Strategy development and implementation at Senior Leadership & Management Team level (20%)
• Work effectively and closely with the CEO, CoP and SLMT in developing and managing TMA’s development and strategy.
• Actively participate in the continued implementation of TMA’s Strategy 2 Programme and in futureprogramme development including potential geographical expansion with the CEO, CoP and SLMT.
• Contribute actively to regular SLMT meetings, highlighting key country programme portfolio issuesfor senior engagement.
• Lead Country Heads in developing annual business plans for capacity development, policy reforms,systems and infrastructure development for regional trade and integration in East and Central Africa insupport of the broad TMA goals and objectives, for approval by the National Oversight Committees(NOCs), Board and Council.
• Oversee and direct the development of national programmes as a central part of TMA’s overall activities and impact.
• Liaise with the Chief of Programmes in development of Project Appraisal Reports (PARs) outlininginputs, activities and outputsrequired to achieve TMA’s strategy and business plan, for approval by NOCs, Board and Council.
• Integrate on-going Development Partners’ support for regional trade and integration activities where aligned to TMA’s goals and objectives.

Job description

• With the CEO and CoP, take a leading role in developing TMA’s new long-term strategy and developing greater learning and accountability practices across the organisation.
• Work with SLMT on strategic analysis, portfolio analysis and stakeholder perceptions to inform future programming, and for reporting to the NOCs, Board and Council.

Political, stakeholder and diplomatic engagement, fundraising and partnership development (15%)

• Oversee and shape TMA’s strategic political, stakeholder and diplomatic engagement at country level in
• East and Central Africa.
• Examine opportunities forstrategic partnershipsto enable TMA to achieve its objectives with the CEO and
• CoP.
• Highlight opportunities for increased funding and co-manage fundraising with the CEO and othermembers of SLMT as agreed with the CEO and CoP. This will include supporting funding applications, responding to requests for information, etc.
• Co-ordinate country level political management with CoP and SLMT. This will include undertaking regular Ministerial level operational engagement with country-based stakeholders.
• Actively represent and promote TMA’s work and profile and deputise in national and international public events and fora for the CEO and CoP, particularly those related to TMA operations.
• Provide strategic input and engage with stakeholders and partners on regional trade and integration involving EAC institutions and Partner States and development partners.
• Promote local procurement of all proposed, direct or indirect, TMA sub-contracts and related opportunities in order to develop the East Africa based service provider capacity.Programme development and delivery (30%)
• Work closely with the CoP and Country Heads to coordinating implementation of TMA’s operations acrosscountry programmes.
• Lead on (and be held accountable for) development and delivery of coherent multi-country operational strategy delivery and allied budgeting, business planning, forecasting & expenditure reviews.
• Ensure robust country risk management frameworks are in place in all countries of operation.
• Co-manage political risk and engagement at country and regional levels with the CEO and SLT.
• Ensure full compliance with TMA regulations across operations (1st Line of Defence).
• Actively manage the smooth introduction of TMA’s enhanced matrix management approaches to ensure harmonious co-working and ensure compliance of all teams to TMA procedures and policies.
• Lead on coordination of annual reviews across countries.
• Provide on-going strategic input and quality assurance support to country portfolios in order to maximise results impact.
• Ensure a comprehensive dashboard of key programme performance indicators (KPIs) is regularly monitored and managed across countries to ensure 80% plus levels of performance attainment.
• Manage a series of effective performance meetings of country teams, and regular monthly KPPI meetings with the CoP.
• Liaise with the Programme Delivery Hub and Impact Unit to ensure that portfolios and projects are regularly monitored through implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms by all country programme teams.
• Liaise with the Programme Delivery Hub and Impact Unit to ensure proactive communication of TMA’s
• results streams to stakeholders and partners.
• Ensure programme implementation of key crosscutting themes and strategies for gender, poverty, safeguards, extractives and climate change.
• Oversee efficient and effective operation of country programmes in line with funding agreements with donors and defined TMA policies and procedures.
• Prepare periodic management reports for submission to the Board and Council.
• Ensure that programme teams have high calibre financial management with 90% of disbursements/payments made in line with forecasts, and that TMA manages its financial resources with minimal risk or incidence of fraud or misappropriation

Academic and professional qualifications 

• Undergraduate o r Master’s degree preferably in Economics, Development Studies, International 
• Trade, Planning, Finance or Management.

Work experience 

• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least 15 years’ working experience, including seven years of leadership and management experience. Postgraduate degree holders will require at least 13 years’ experience including seven years of leadership and management experience.
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in managing business units or development programmes, particularlyin areas related to TMA’s core focus areas.
• Demonstrable knowledge, skills and experience in programme cycle management and programme delivery, political economy analysis, donor management and fundraising.
• Three years of senior level experience within East Africa or other developing economies are essential for this role.

Additional skills
Essential:

• Strong strategy orientation and experience with the ability to communicate strategy and resultsconcisely and simply. Ability to deliver plan and performance to budget.
• Excellent leadership and management skills, with demonstrable strong people management.
• Adept at working with diverse teams, delivering change and achieving results.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong collaborative partnerships/relationships with development partners, senior government officials, civil society and business organisations.
• Sound technical knowledge of the African regional integration agenda and of the major multilateral and bilateral trade agreements which affect East African countries.
• Ability to influence others to achieve objectives and gain consensus and collaboration.
• Sound decision-making, judgement, problem solving, organisational and analytical skills.
• Excellent writing under time pressure, presentation, communication and personal effectiveness skills.
• Collaborative and team-oriented management approach and co-working approach.
• Strong computer literacy with proficiency in MS Office applications.

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Roles and responsibilities
Trade Facilitation Programme Management & Operations

• Support the Director, TP/TF formulate and implement the TMA Trade Facilitation strategy as per the prevailing Theory of Change;
• Support the Director, TP/TF to formulate and manage TMA’s trade facilitation programming at continental, regional and national levels;
• Provide technical leadership and management in the implementation of TMA’s trade facilitation projects and interventions;
• Manage the Innovations and Ideation of the next generation concepts in trade facilitation and customs; incubating them and translating them to implementable and practical solutions in addressing trade regulatory and policy challenges in the trade and business environment;
• Support TMA’s research work related to trade facilitation programming and customs– providing insights to the results and impact of TMA programming in trade facilitation;
• Manage trade facilitation projects programme delivery by ensuring good practice Project Cycle Management (PCM) in terms of project design, procurement, contract management, outcome/output-based planning, reporting and financial management, and results-oriented monitoring, learning and evaluation;
• Lead, manage and mentor trade facilitation team members, TP/TF team members and other members of the Trade Environment Department on trade facilitation matters;
• In line with TMA strategy, manage the operational/implementation technical inputs and quality assurance on TMA’s work on trade facilitation and customs in general and with specific focus on Integrated Border Management, Customs Modernization, customs management regulations, tariffs, Trade Procedures Re-engineering, Implementation of Border Stakeholders Coordination Frameworks, implementation of trade agreements, among others;

Job Description 

• Work closely with the Director, TP/TF, TMA regional and country offices by managing the support and operations of trade facilitation and customs programmes to enhance implementation of regionally or globally agreed trade facilitation and customs agreements;
• Contribute and support policy analysis and research, to inform trade facilitation and customs measures as well as promote dialogue among TMA key stakeholders;
• Support implementation of OSBP sustainability strategy plan detailing how current and future border operations will be sustained by lead agencies; 
• Support implementation of bilateral agreements with EAC neighbouring states to create a framework of operationalising OSBPs and IBM programmes; 
• Manage and Coordinate IBM/CBM related outputs and activities by liaising with Country OSBP Program managers to ensure that all border agencies implement the OSBP concept once construction work and installation of equipment for new OSBPs are completed;
• Manage and coordinate the development and implementation of Environmental and social safeguard measures management plan at TMA funded OSBPs; 
• Manage the development of Key Performance Indicators at TMA funded OSBPs such as border dwell time and costs to cross to cross the border; 
• Manage the exploration of potential new areas of engagement around trade facilitation, customsand regional integration that are in line with the TMA Strategic plan; 
• Manage, conduct and coordinate training for purposes of operationalization of OSBPs and capacity building of border officials at all TMA funded OSBPs using OSBP board rooms at respective OSBPs;
• Support domestication of customs management regulations and tariff schedules agreed at regional and continental level;
• Support harmonization and simplification of customs processes and procedures at the regional and continental level;
• Support enhancement and upgrading of the trade information portals at national and regional level; and 
• Support development and implementation of the Authorized Economic Operators schemes at the national and regional level

Knowledge Management and lesson Learning 

• Support the Director, TP/TF to manage trade facilitation and customs capacity development activities at regional and national level (e.g., managing Communities of Practice, training, coaching, information sessions), with partner organisations and for TMA staff.
• Manage the work with country and regional teams to provide technical advice and input on trade facilitation and customs, internally and/or with partners.
• Support the Director, TP/TF to manage a regular programme of topical seminars and talks for TMAstaff on research findings, from key informants on trade facilitation, customs and other trade related issues.
• Support the Director, TP/TF to manage any training programs designed for trade negotiators, private sector and civil society stakeholders to better participate and execute agreements related to trade facilitation.
• Contribute to research and knowledge materials including flagship publications, policy and research studies, economic research papers and briefs related to trade policy.

Job Description 

• Through training and capacity building programmes, improve and deepen TMA staff and partner organisations’ understanding of trade facilitation, customs and trade related facilitation issues. 
• Manage teams in regular informal and formal reflection, knowledge sharing and learning events.

Academic qualifications, technical knowledge and experience

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the areas of Commerce, Business Administration, Economics, Management, International Trade Policy, International Customs Law and Administration or related field with equivalent experience in areas of Trade Policy or Customs/Trade Facilitation issues with 7 years working experience.
• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least seven (7) years of relevant working experience (at least five (5) years of relevant working experience working in Trade Policy/Customs/Trade Facilitation related matters.
• Significant work experience with cross border agencies and work experience in an international multicultural environment.
• Good understanding of the multilateral trading systems and their implication to regional integration.
• Experience working with regional economic communities required.
• A good understanding of trade facilitation and customs context under regional integration in Eastand Southern Africa as well as the AfCFTA.
• Good understanding of the dynamics of trade facilitation and customs impacting trade at national, regional and at the global levels. 
• Very good understanding of the multilateral trading systems and their implication for regional integration.
• Significant knowledge of the trade and development needs of developing countries.
• Good understanding of trade facilitation, infrastructure and transport/logistics.
• Good understanding of Customs and its related trade and transport interfaces.
• Experience in working with private sector and civil society to deliver trade capacity support and to support trade facilitation related advocacy.

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Roles and responsibilities
Technical Input 

• Provide high level technical support to the Director, Standards and SPS Measures, in implementing the core functions of the Standards and SPS programmes within TMA.
• Provide support to the Director in the determination of Technical Assistance needs (consultancies) to TMA Standards and SPS Programmes at the regional and national levels. 
• Provide support to the Director in ensuring that country programme Standards and SPS interventions are aligned to national development objectives, while ensuring coherence with regional and international commitments.

Programme Management

• Develop and manage, on time and within budget, the annual business plans and budgets for the regional Standards and SPS programme. 
• Track expenditure under the Standards and SPS to ensure it is in line with approved budget limits.
• Ensure that Standards and SPS projects monitoring and evaluation plans are updated in the TradeMark Integrated Resource Management System (TRIMS). 
• Support country and regional teams to regularly prepare and update their Standards and SPS workplans, M&E plans, mobilization plans, progress reports, and end of project reports. 
• Support Country and regional teams in the delivery of outputs for Standards and SPS-related projects in line with TMA’s Results Framework (RF) and Theory of Change.
• Participate actively in annual project reviews, mid-term and end of project evaluations. 

Stakeholder Management

• Explore new areas of engagement in the Standards and SPS thematic area that are in line with the TMA Strategic plan.
• Support the Director to maintain strong working relationships with external stakeholders and development partners.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders across all technical functions in line with the TMA Matrix Management guidelines.

Knowledge and Learning

• Participate in the development and implementation of strategies to enhance understanding of the role of the Standards and SPS interventions in trade facilitation among TMA staff. 

Job description 

• Actively contribute in show-casing TMA’s interventions in the Standards and SPS space nationally, regionally and internationally

Communication 

• Assist in the implementation of the Standards and SPS programme’s communication and visibility strategy under the overall TMA institutional communication channels. 

Academic and professional qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Food Science & Technology, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Health, or other Science field.
• Master’s degree in plant Protection, Food Safety & Quality, Animal Health, Nutrition, Public Health, Business Administration, Economics, Quality Infrastructure, or related science or social science field. 
• Professional development courses in Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measure or Implementation of WTO TBT and SPS Agreements will be an added advantage.

Work experience

• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least seven (7) years of relevant working experience (at least five (5) years of relevant working experience in working on Standards and Quality Senior Director, Trade Environment 

Job description

• Infrastructure, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, trade facilitation, regional integration, market 
• access and related issues, with recognized technical expertise. 
• Experience in programme coordination and planning
• Experience working in international organisations, particularly donor agencies
• Proven ability in preparing terms of reference, project documents and monitoring and evaluation plans.