Purpose of Job

• Responsible for the operations of the entire directorate/department. Plan, develop and implement strategic policies while promoting inter- directorate/department collaboration. Provide technical and strategic advice to the Secretary General and to the AfCFTA Institutions.

Main Functions

• Develop and maintain operating rules and procedures.
• Provide technical leadership and ensure efficient functioning of all Divisions.
• Ensure overall management of the directorate/department personnel, budget, performance, quality, discipline and training in conformity with relevant rules and procedures in force.
• Determine and execute the overall strategy of the directorate.
• Develop and oversee policy development guidelines.
• Prepare and oversee integrated programmes of overall activities of the directorate.
• Build and maintain a strategic plan to form good working relations with other directorates/departments.
• Develop and maintain regular working relations with top level stakeholders in appropriate agencies of Member States and partners.
• Organize coordination meetings between the organization and other relevant organizations.
• Ultimately responsible for preparing periodic financial and budget execution reports and annual financial statements and other reports.
• Promote awareness and training of best practices in area of expertise.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop Strategic Framework, Standard Operation Procedures that enhance trade facilitation and enforcement for Customs Cooperation
• Engage with State Parties, stakeholders and partners on custom matters and the implementation of trade facilitation measures
• Coordinate State Parties towards building efficient customs procedures, trade facilitation and transit systems
• Liaise with relevant national bodies on Custom cooperation and mutual administrative assistance
• Spearhead the establishment of modern data processing systems to facilitate effective and efficient custom operation and transmission of trade data
• Lead the Secretariat services for Directors-General/ Heads of Customs Committee and the Sub-Committee on Trade Facilitation, Customs Cooperation and Transit and other relevant meetings on Customs
• Monitor and report on the implementation of the customs-related provisions of the AfCFTA Agreement including the Annexes on Customs Cooperation, Trade Facilitation and Transit, administration of Rules of Origin, and resolution of related non-tariff barriers
• Lead activities related to the establishment of the African Continental Customs Union
• Determine and execute Directorate strategy and align to the AfCFTA overall Strategy

Qualification Required & Experience

• University Master’s degree in international trade, development economics, international relations, international business, international law, Political Science or relevant discipline A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in professions related to Customs Administration, Trade Facilitation, Transit, Administration of Rules of Origin, and Resolution of related Non-Tariff Barriers, at national, regional economic community, continental or international level
• out of which eight (8) years should be at managerial level managing professional staff in support of or within a national, regional, continental, or international institution.

Required Skills

• Management experience and ability to relate and facilitate interactions with others;
• Ability to think critically and solve problems;
• Ability to communication orally and in writing;
• Report writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Planning, organizational and reporting skills;
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically;
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; with regard to performance management and professional development;
• Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant areas; and
• Proficiency in one of the AU Official working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish), fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Location: Accra