COMESA RMCE Executive Director Job Vacancy

The Regional Multidisciplinary Center of Excellence (RMCE) is an expertise hub for policy development, training and advisory activities and a forum for dialogue with headquarters in Mauritius.

RMCE has been established to serve the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional development initiatives.

As such, it is intended to improve Member States’ professional capacity for addressing issues of Regional Economic Integration in core areas such as common macroeconomic policy, trade, finance, business development, investment, and sector strategy.

It will over time incorporate a range of services – starting with training and following on as its role develops with policy development, and expertise/advisory services.

Specific activities will include peer to peer learning, conference/seminar programs and probably distance training.

Purpose of the job

The objective of the RMCE Executive Director is to lead and manage the Centre such that it becomes a key contributing institution to improved knowledge, managerial skills and competences in Regional Economic Integration among relevant stakeholders (Regional Organizations, key ministries and agencies of the civil society, especially the private sector) of the Eastern and Southern African and Indian Ocean Region (ESA-IO).

The RMCE Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors, and will be a non-voting member of the Board.

His/her key performance areas are:

• To marshall all the requisite resources and prudently manage and apply them to enable the RMCE to fulfill its mission;
• To devise means for the RMCE to secure financing from beneficiaries for its activities so as to gradually reduce dependence on donor financing;
• To mobilize grants from donors to support RMCE operations and development and implementation of programmes decided by the Board;
• To develop an appropriate framework to facilitate smooth and viable operations;
• To establish appropriate policies, systems and procedures to guide the performance and ensure efficient administration and management of the RMCE;
• To facilitate policy development in the key areas of interest to the RMCE, and establish links with international agencies, and leading centers of learning to bring cutting-edge methodology to bear on the issues of relevance to the mandate of the RMCE;
• To spearhead capacity building in the areas intended to make the economies of ESA-IO Region complementary;
• To submit the work plan and budget of RMCE to the Board;
• To be responsible for the administration and finances of RMCE;
• To act as link between the RMCE and all stakeholders;
• To carry out such other duties as may be delegated by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Profile of the RMCE Executive Director

Education & Experience

Candidates must have the following:

• Have at least a Post Graduate University Degree or its equivalent in Economics Finance, Banking, Business Administration, Law, Public Administration or Social Sciences;
• Have at least 15 years experience at management level in Government or International Agencies or in a relevant private sector or Civil Society organisation;
• Have experience in capacity building and/or setting up of new institutions;
• Experience of work in and publications on the ESA-IO region, shall be an added advantage.

Languages:

• For the above post, candidates should be fluent in English or French.
• Working knowledge of the other would be an advantage.

Terms of Appointment

1. Location of performance of the Contract: The duty Station will be at the RMCE Headquarters in Mauritius. The successful applicant will also be required to undertake significant duty travel within the Region and any Countries identified in the line of duty.
2. Remuneration: An International competitive package will be offered. Further details can be obtained from the Secretary to the Board on Phone No. (230) 208-1652.
3. Duration of Appointment: Contract for successful candidate will run from the date they take up the appointments for a period of three years, subject to availability of funds and performance.
4. Eligibility for Application: Only Nationals of countries (ACP and EU) that are signatories to the Cotonou Agreement signed on 23rd June 2000 are eligible to apply.
5. Final date for receipt of applications: 10 February 2011.
6. Address: Applications should be submitted by email or fax to:

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