Program Assistant Private Sector Engagement

CTG overview

CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
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Overview of position

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is the sole organization in the continent, legally established & mandated to handle the rules of trade between African countries. At the core is the implementation of the agreement establishing the AfCFTA (thereafter “AfCFTA agreement”), negotiated, signed & ratified by the state parties. The goal is to ensure that trade is conducted smoothly, predictably & as freely as possible across the continent. The AfCFTA Secretariat, which is headquartered in Accra, Ghana at the Africa trade house, was established in February 2020 following the election of its first Secretary General.
• The AfCFTA agreement was signed at an extraordinary session of the assembly of the African Union (AU) in Kigali, Rwanda on 21 March 2018. The agreement sets out a continental system of trade rules, acts as a platform for negotiating trade protocols, facilitates the settlement of disputes between state parties & monitors the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement. Furthermore, the AfCFTA agreement is a framework agreement, with comprehensive coverage of trade in goods, Trade in services, investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, women & youth in trade & digital trade as well as rules & procedures for the settlement of disputes.
• The AfCFTA aims at accelerating intra African trade & boosting Africa’s position in the global market. Since the informal sector & the SMEs make up 90% of all private businesses in Africa including businesses led by women & youth, it is fundamental that the strategy ensures inclusivity at all levels so that all critical sectors of the African society effectively benefit from this trade agreement & consequently achieve the so desired socio economic transformation of the continent.
• It is therefore important that the private sector, the drivers & catalysts of trade & investments & the engine for economic development is encouraged to take up the opportunities presented to them by this framework agreement.
• It is in this area of responsibility that the AfCFTA Secretariat, together with partners, undertakes a mandate to strengthen private sector engagement & increase its participation in the AfCFTA through SMEs competitiveness development & participation in regional value chains, increased investments by the global & African private sector in the AfCFTA priority sectors, resource mobilization as well as advocacy for a conducive business environment.
• It is against this background that the AfCFTA Secretariat seeks to engage the services of a Program Assistant to support Secretariat programs & ativities relating to private sector engagement & SMEs’ development.

Role objectives

The Program Assistant on private sector engagement & SME development will work directly under the supervision of the Senior Advisor – Private Sector Engagement on the following tasks, among others:

• Assist the Senior Advisor - Private Sector Engagement in the execution of Secretariat’s private sector engagement programmes & activities.
• Assist in the operationalization & facilitation of AfCFTA private sector platforms.
• Undertake key administrative tasks such as minute taking during meetings, report writing, etc.
• Devise a mechanism to systematically record & follow up on stakeholders’ requests.
• Assist with the organization of the Biashara Afrika (the AfCFTA business forum) & any other engagement platforms as directed by the Head of Private Sector Engagement.
• Undertake relevant research & produce briefing notes.
• Develop presentation materials & perform relevant administrative duties.
• Assist with efforts to mobilize resources for activities & programs.
• Support the preparation of timely procurement & expenditure plans to facilitate the smooth & timely release / disbursement of project funds.
• Support the preparation of biannual implementation status report.
• Perform any other duties as may be required from time to time.

The main deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

Project reporting

• This assignment will be carried out under the supervision of the Senior Advisor on Private Sector Engagement.
   

Key competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, project management, economics, political science, international relations, international development or any other relevant field, with at least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills & ability to coordinate effectively between multiple institutions.
• Familiarity with the African private sector entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Familiarity with trade negotiations, international trade policy, the AfCFTA agreement & Africa’s regional integration & development experience.
• Extensive knowledge & hands on experience of the African continent & the member states will be an added advantage.
• Excellent project management, communications & writing skills are required.
• Proficiency in English & a working knowledge of another other language is an added advantage.
• Excellent public speaking & presentation skills.
• Good understanding of the African business environment, trade & economic growth.
• Experience working on AU, RECs & other relevant regional institutions on the continent.
• Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff).
• Full command of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Power Point) & common internet applications will be required.
• Proficiency in one of the AfCFTA working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) & fluency in another AfCFTA working language(s) is an added advantage.
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the Secretariat’s values & ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission & strategic goals of Secretariat.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality & age sensitivity & adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity & zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Team management

• This role has no team management responsibility.

Further information

• Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to provide the services. The eligibility criteria, establishment of a shortlist & selection procedure shall be in conformity with our clients procurement rules & procedures.
• The consultant will be based in Accra, with travels to the member states.
• The duration of the assignment will be 6 months.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.