Digital Trade Expert

Overseas Development Institute
Accra - Ghana
S: Competitive

Introduction

The AfCFTA Secretariat and ODI are looking to recruit a Digital Trade Expert (DTE) placed in the AfCFTA Secretariat to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations on the digital trade protocol as part of the FCDO-funded support to ODI under the Support Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) programme. This draft concept notes provides justification for the support and includes a preliminary job description.

Economic transformation is one of the main pillars of the African Union Agenda 2063. Increasing trade and investment in general and specifically amongst AU member states is critical to achieve economic transformation. An increase in digital trade, including through e-commerce, in Africa is critical to developing and improving the productive capabilities required to raise productivity and create employment. AfCFTA can help this process including through provisions on digital trade.


In seeking to comply with the mandate and instructions given by African Heads of State and Government, there is need to support the negotiation process through technical support to the AfCFTA Secretariat. In this regard and in order to complete negotiations of the Phase II Protocol on digital trade and prepare successful implementation of the agreement, the AfCFTA Secretariat requires assistance in the form of a technical expert on digital trade.


Duties and responsibilities

The principal objective of this post is to facilitate and provide technical and secretarial support to the appropriate levels of the Member State-driven AfCFTA negotiations on the Protocol on digital trade. The DTE will provide strategic guidance to the Member States on the development and implementation of a continental digital trade instrument in support of the AfCFTA. The post is key in facilitating the negotiations and all the preparatory work in developing background documents and studies to support the development of the Digital Trade Protocol.

Under the general guidance of the Director for Trade in Services, Investment, IPRs and Digital Trade of the AfCFTA Secretariat, the DTE shall be required to undertake these specific tasks:

a Prepare and/or coordinate analytical studies and background papers aimed at facilitating the conclusion of the negotiations by Member States of the draft AfCFTA Protocol on digital trade;
b Provision of appropriate technical and other digital law-related advice to Member State representatives participating in technical meetings;
c Participate in the planning, organisation and servicing of related AUC events and meetings, and ensure the timely production and dissemination of minutes of technical meetings;
d Participate as delegate in other meetings and negotiations as requested by the AfCFTA Secretariat;
e Facilitate the drafting of negotiation documents, position papers and other negotiation related output, aimed at the finalisation of the draft Digital Trade Protocol;
f Lead and facilitate the coordination of negotiation inputs provided by Member States;
g Coordination and facilitation of technical assistance programmes in support of implementation of the Digital Trade Protocol.
h Liaise with the relevant counterparts in the Member States, RECs and other international organisations, responsible for digital trade;
i Facilitate policy dialogue on digital law and policy amongst key stakeholders at national regional and continental level;
j Collaborate (in coordination with the AfCFTA Secretariat) in the research agenda included in the partnership between AfCFTA Secretariat, ODI and UK FCDO
k Assist in the development of a Continental Digital Trade Protocol including stakeholder engagement.
l Facilitating policy dialogue on digital policy amongst stakeholders.
m Facilitating studies and advocacy programmes on digital policy in Africa.
n Examine challenges facing the digital economy in Africa and propose activities or initiatives to address them.
o produce the required inputs on issues relating to Digital Trade Policy negotiations to the Director of trade in services, investment, IPRs and digital trade of the AfCFTA Secretariat for the periodic reports of the activities, ensuring that agreed deadlines for these inputs are strictly adhered to.
p Performance of any other duties as may be assigned by the Director.
q Report to ODI periodically on the activities performed as part of the programme.

Educational qualifications and experience

a) Candidates must have a University Master's Degree in ICT, economics, international relations, development policy or international trade related to digital/e-Commerce/ICT or another appropriate related discipline. A higher post-graduate qualification in any of these areas or an additional relevant professional diploma will be an added advantage.
b) Candidates must have had at least four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in Digital/e-Commerce policy or practice or technical advisor in regional integration related to e-Commerce/digital trade. At least two (2) years of such experience should have been in support of – or within – a national, regional, continental or international organisation dealing with ICT/e-Commerce/Digital trade.
c) Candidates with University Bachelor Degree can be considered provided they have six (6) years of relevant work experience out of which two (2) years must be at managerial level.

Other relevant skills
a) Candidates must be computer literate (Microsoft Office Suite).
b) Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment.
c) Candidates must have good planning, organizational and reporting skills.

Nationality requirements
Successful candidate must be citizen of any of the African Union Members. Candidates from North, West and Central Africa are encouraged to apply.

Language requirements
Working proficiency of oral English and/ or French. Knowledge of Arabic and Portuguese will be an asset.

Duration
An initial six-month assignment is envisaged until March 2022. The assignment could be extended after that period.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a (maximum) 2-page covering letter outlining how your qualifications, skills and experience match those outlined above to Michelle Nourrice m.nourrice@odi.org.uk at ODI.

Please use the email subject line Digital Trade Expert to support AfCFTA Secretariat Application
The deadline for applications is Monday 13th September 2021
.
Interviews will take place within 1-2 weeks of application closing date.

Personal Data Disclaimer
ODI will manage this recruitment process but CVs and cover letters will be shared with staff at the AfCFTA Secretariat as both institutions will be involved in the interview process.

Job summary