Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Job Vacancies

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Job Vacancies
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa - promoting regional economic integration through trade and investment.
With its 19 member states, population of 430 million (2008) and an annual import bill of around US$ 152 billion (2008) and an export bill of over US$ 157 billion (2008), COMESA forms a major market place for both internal and external trading. Its area is impressive on the map of the African Continent covering a geographical area of 12 Million (sq km). Its achievements to date have been significant.

More information can be obtained from the COMESA website www.comesa.int.

COMESA is in the process of recruiting long term staff for the implementation of the Regional Integration Support Programme (RISP) for the region.

1. RISP Programme Coordinator (PS)
Purpose of the job
This post will have a particular emphasis on assisting the Secretary General of COMESA to oversee and to co-ordinate the implementation of RISP various activities of the Programme in the COMESA countries as per the Contribution Agreement.

The programme Co-ordinator will also assist the COMESA Secretary General in coordinating with the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), the support of the RISP programme for the implementation of the EAC integration agenda (Customs Union Protocol).

Tasks of the RISP Programme Coordinator

The RISP Programme Coordinator tasks will focus on:
    * assisting COMESA Secretariat in the overall implementation of the Programme in the COMESA region; and
    * assisting COMESA Secretariat in coordinating with the Secretary General of EAC the implementation of the Programme in the EAC member states.

Specific tasks of the RISP Programme Coordinator will include:
    * Providing overall coordination for all activities of the RISP:
    * Ensuring timely preparation of the annual work plans in close collaboration with the heads of the technical divisions within the COMESA Secretariat, including the identification of clear indicators and benchmarks;
    * Coordinating timely and quality preparation of reports on all RISP implementation and monitoring activities and ensure their circulation to all members of the Inter-Region Coordinating Committee (IRCC).

This also entails:
    * reviewing the reports and preparing focused briefings on RISP activities of relevance for the Secretary Generals of COMESA and EAC;
    * ensuring follow-up and feedback when required, from members of the RCC;
    * Responding to queries regarding RISP progress, impacts and lessons. (See annex I for an outline of the IRCC).
    * Co-ordinating and facilitating preparation of project documents in general and to assist the Department of Finance and Budget at COMESA in the preparation of annual accounts in particular;
    * Co-ordinating and ensuring support to evaluation;
    * Ensuring effective communication between COMESA and EAC Secretariats, Donors and other stakeholders in the programme;
    * Assisting Divisions in the preparation of terms of references for the short term expertise’s needed to assist in the implementation of the Programme; and
    * Providing general technical, managerial and methodological support as and when required

Profile of the RISP Coordinator

Education & Experience
Candidates must have the following:
    * A minimum of a Masters Degree in Economics, Business Administration or any other related subjects and a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience, preferably from within the COMESA and EAC regions.
    * Proven technical and field expertise and display a proactive and flexible approach within a multidisciplinary team environment to meeting project objectives and identifying innovative strategies.
    * Good communication skills and fluency in written and oral English are essential as is a high level of competency in the use of all common software packages.

2. Senior Customs Expert (P4)
Purpose of the Job:
Under the overall supervision of the Assistant Secretary General (Programmes) and the direct supervision of the Director, Trade, Customs and Monetary Affairs, the incumbent will perform the under listed tasks:

Key Tasks
    * Developing and monitoring of the implementation of the Customs Union;
    * Facilitating the implementation of the Customs Union tools and instruments such as the Common External Tariff, Common External Tariff and the Customs Management Regulations.
    * Assisting in the re-structuring of the Trade Division and the establishment of a Trade and Customs Unit in the COMESA Secretariat to administer the Customs Union;
    * Reviewing the proposed CU revenue collection systems and administration procedures;
    * Developing a programme for the adoption and migration of HS 2007 and WTO valuation agreement;
    * Simplifying and harmonizing exemption and other duty relief measures, temporary admission, re-exportation and transit procedures;
    * Assisting member States with the migration of ASYCUDA (where appropriate) working with the EDF-financed ICT Support Programme and NWGs;
    * Reviewing how member States can make adjustments for loss of revenue from trade taxes and identify other budgetary support measures; and
    * Assisting the COMESA TCM Division in monitoring implementation of the FTA
    * Any other cognate duties as may be assigned by the Secretary General

Profile of the Senior Customs Expert

Education and Experience
Candidates must have the following:
    * A Bachelors and a Post-Graduate degree in Economics, Law, Business Administration or Masters in International Customs Law from internationally recognized Universities
    * At least ten (10) years of extensive experience in customs laws and regulations and procedures, knowledge of the tariff systems and customs valuation systems, knowledge of WTO, WCO and the Economics and administration of the rules of origin and a record of service at a responsible level in government, international organizations, or Revenue and Customs Administration Agencies.
    * Strong analytical and drafting skills, ability to interact with governments of COMESA member States and regional and international organizations would be an advantage.

Languages:
For the above two posts, candidates should be fluent in English or French. Working knowledge of the other would be an advantage.

Terms of Appointment
    * Type of contract: The posts are under COMESA non-established professional staff contracts and are under the Regional Integration Support programme (RISP).
    * Location of performance of the Contract: The duty Station will be at the COMESA Secretariat headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia. The successful applicants will also be required to undertake significant duty travel to all COMESA countries and any others identified in the line of duty.
    * Remuneration: Remuneration will be in accordance with the COMESA conditions of service for non-established professional Staff and will be calculated on the basis of background and professional experience and will be determined according to the grade indicated against each post.
    * Duration of Appointment: contracts for successful candidates will run from the date they take up the appointments up to 30th June 2012, subject to availability of funds and performance.
    * Eligibility for Application: Only Nationals of countries (ACP and EU) that are signatories to the Continuo Agreement signed on 23rd June 2000 are eligible to apply.
    * Final date for receipt of applications: 1 November 2010
    * Address: Applications should be submitted by email or fax to:

The Secretary General
COMESA Centre, Cairo Road
P0 Box 30051
10101 Lusaka, Zambia
Fax: (260)211 227318
E-mail: recruitment@comesa.mt

Click here to download the COMESA Job Application Form