The Position

Senior Specialist – Trade Job Reference: SST/IMT/07/2024

Fixed Term: 24 Months

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Market and Trade Specialist to join our team and play a pivotal role in supporting the development of an enabling environment for regional and continental agricultural and food trade. The successful candidate will be responsible for spearheading initiatives aimed at streamlining trade regimes, removing non-tariff trade barriers, fostering an environment conducive to the growth of agricultural and food trade within the region and beyond, and creating job opportunities.

The successful candidate will lead and manage the design and implementation of projects that support evidence-based trade policy and advocacy, integrated corridor development, Standards Quality Infrastructure (SQI) & Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures, and digital trade.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead in the development of investment proposals in support of the AGRA Inclusive Market and Trade (IMTF) strategy implementation at continental and country levels.
• Supporting the adoption of the mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) between Eastern and Southern African (ESA) countries – this shall include technical review of documents, engagements with high-level officials to garner momentum, and facilitation of meetings.
• Supporting the implementation of the digital regional food balance sheet (RFBS) in ESA countries by supporting technical review of reports, analyzing and advising scope for expansion, and high-level engagements with partners (Trademark Africa and others) to garner support for the agenda, private sector engagement to understand and adapt user needs with COMESA, etc
• Support the development of a pipeline of investments building upon past lessons of the Regional Food Trade and Resilience (RFTR) program and the new direction of AGRA around youth employment and food systems
• Provide regular technical and program support to grantees under the program identifying bottlenecks and immediately proposing solutions.
• Co-led in the development and rollout of the AFCFTA-led agricultural and food trade strategy by regularly reviewing consultant reports, facilitating consultations updating reports, and identifying early/potential investment areas.
• Drive the activities of the food trade coalition by revamping the TWGs, organizing regular engagements, disseminating lessons or knowledge, building new membership, and maintaining a regular database in line with a refreshed model of delivery.
• Lead and carry out relevant market/trade and political economy analysis to inform current and future regional markets investments.
• Provide technical contributions to other initiatives such as the development of business cases for the African Food Baskets initiative.

Key Qualifications and Experience Required: 

• Master’s degree in economics, international trade, agricultural economics, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in trade policy analysis, trade facilitation, or related fields, preferably in the agricultural or food sector.
• Experience in regional trade/integration
• Working knowledge of climate resilience approaches should be desirable
• Proven track record of policy development, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement in the context of regional or international trade.
• Familiarity with regional and continental organizations responsible for facilitation of trade
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to conduct rigorous market analysis and research.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and across cultural boundaries.
• Familiarity with the application of digital tools in the facilitation of market linkages and trade
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other languages, particularly French is an advantage.
• Experience in project management, including the design, implementation, and evaluation of trade-related projects.
• Proficiency in grant management, including proposal development, budgeting, reporting, and compliance.
• Experience working with donors, development banks, and other funding agencies on project implementation and resource mobilization.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Experience working in developing countries or emerging markets is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience developing knowledge management products.