COMESA Latest Job Opportunities

The following posts are advertised for filling at the COMESA Secretariat:

Chief Editor
P4

This post is within the Office of the Secretary General

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the Chief Editor will be responsible for the following duties:
• Responsible for Editing all documentation produced by the Secretariat before publication.
• Compiles and produces the Annual Report. Compiles and produces reports of all the Policy Organs.
• Monitors the preparation of documents for the Policy Organs for subsequent submission to the Translation Unit.
• Provides final approval for printing and is responsible for press revisions of a specialized or highly technical nature.
• Inspects publications and other printed material for production quality prior to release and distribution.
• When necessary, inspects and clears key letters addressed to third parties. Prepares key statements and documents for the Secretary General.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Excellent writing and linguistic skills;highest standards of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of submitted documents
• Good grasp of terminological and reference research techniques
• High level of versatility and professional judgement
• Tact and negotiating skills

Planning & Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
• Uses time efficiently

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology
• Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
• Shows willingness to learn new technology

Managerial Competencies

Leadership:

• Serves as a role model that other people want to follow
• Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
• Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
• Shows the courage to take unpopular stands

Managing Performance:

• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority
• Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member
• Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
• Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff
• Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative
• Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff
• Appraises performance fairly

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in languages law or social sciences.
• A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience

• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in drafting, proofreading/publishing or related field.
• Experience in an International Organization as a Proofreader/Production Editor will be an added advantage

Languages

• Fluency in English or French is required.
• Working knowledge of the second language will be an added advantage

Assessment Method

• Competency-based interview;
• review of CV against post requirements

Immigration Expert
P3

This post is within the division of Legal and Institutional Affairs at the COMESA Secretariat.

Tasks of the Immigration Expert

• Update the initial report on immigration practices of the Member States by indicating the level of compliance with COMESA Protocols.
• Development of ways in which a COMESA database could be established to monitor the movement of persons in COMESA, particularly the movement of undesirable persons.
• Draft and develop a Common Travel Certificate taking into account the practices in ECOWAS, EU and the EAC.
• Assist in the promotion of ratification of the COMESA protocols pertaining to immigration.
• Assist in the harmonization of National Laws with COMESA model Laws
• Organization of technical workshops with cooperating partners; and
• Management of programmes to be implemented in collaboration with the international Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelors degree in Law or Social Sciences. An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) will be considered as an added advantage.

Experience

• 8 years of relevant Experience

Languages

• Candidates must be fluent in either English or French while a working knowledge of the other language is a distinct advantage

Assistant RISP Programme Coordinator
P2

Objective of the mission of the Assistant Programme Coordinator

The Assistant Programme Coordinator will assist the RISP Programme Coordinator in the supervision and coordination of the implementation of RISP various activities of the Programme in the COMESA, EAC, IOC and IGAD countries as per the Contribution Agreement.

The Assistant Programme Coordinator will report to RISP Programme Coordinator specifically under the overall supervision of the Assistant Secretary General (Programmes).

Expected results

The results to be delivered by the Assistant RISP Programme Coordinator will be:

• Assisting the Coordinator to effectively manage and co-ordinate the components of the RISP Programme in the ESA region;
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring that RISP activities in the ESA region are successfully implemented, according to projected timeframes and cost estimates;
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring the implementation of the Programme in the region is efficiently administered according to ESA procedures and in accordance with the procedures as agreed in the Contribution Agreement;
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring the implementation of the programme of the different Regional Economic Communities is efficiently coordinated in accordance with the Implementation Agreements between them;
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring proper identification of objectives and coherent and periodic revisions of target through annual work plans; and
• adequate monitoring of the implementation of the programme.

Tasks of the Assistant RISP Programme Coordinator

Specific tasks of the Assistant RISP Programme Coordinator will include:

• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring overall coordination for all activities of the RISP;
• Assisting the Coordinator in 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;
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring 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:

1. reviewing the reports and preparing focused briefings on RISP activities of relevance for the Secretary Generals of COMESA, EAC, IGAD and IOC;
2. ensuring follow-up and feedback when required, from members of the IRCC; • Responding to queries regarding RISP progress, impacts and lessons.

• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring Co-ordination and facilitation in 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;
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring Co-ordination and ensuring support to evaluation;
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring effective communication between COMESA, EAC, IOC and IGAD Secretariats, Donors and other stakeholders in the programme;
• Assisting the Coordinator Assisting Divisions in the preparation of terms of references for the short term expertises needed to assist in the implementation of the Programme;
• Acting for the RISP Coordinator in his absence; and
• Assisting the Coordinator in ensuring providing general technical, managerial and methodological support as and when required.

Education & Experience

Candidates must have the following:

• A minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Economics, Business Administration or any other related subjects and a minimum of 6 years relevant work experience, preferably from within the COMESA and EAC regions.
• 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.

Languages

• Candidates must be fluent in either English or French while a working knowledge of the other language is a distinct advantage.

Adjustment Support Expert
P4

Tasks

The expert will:

• Facilitate the preparation of the Regional Integration Implementation Programmes by the Member States. This will include facilitation of national coordination of the various stakeholders involved in the implementation of the regional agenda.
• Assisting Member States in assessing revenues losses arising from the reduction of removal of tariff barriers;
• Assisting Member States in impact assessment of implementation of regional policies and national reform implications;
• Monitoring of the implementation of the national RIIPs and progress in the implementation of COMESA/ EAC programmes;
• Facilitate the disbursement of financial support from the Adjustment Facility to eligible member states to address adjustment costs;
• Assist Member States in the reporting requirements to the relevant statutory organs regarding financial support;
• Assist in the coordination with related programmes of the support provided to the member states for implementation of regional programmes
• Assist in the mobilization of adjustment support resources and other aid for trade resources.
• Assist in other programmes under the Aid for Trade framework
• Assist in the preparation of required COMESA and Aid for Trade programme reports and work plans.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the COMAid Coordinator under the COMAID Unit, in close consultation with other divisions particularly with the Trade, Customs and Monetary Affairs Division; the Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development Division, the Infrastructure Division, and Strategic planning and Monitoring and Evaluation.

He/She will also assist in the management of any other programmes supporting the CAF, including the Regional Integration Support Mechanism.

Profile

• Ability to work across boundaries in flexible teams of diverse disciplinary backgrounds, appreciation for team work, technical excellence and drive for results are core to the position.

Qualifications

• He/she will possess at least a Degree in Economics or a related field.
• A Masters Degree in Economics, Business Administration or related field will be an added advantage.

Experience

• He/She will have at least 8 years of relevant professional experience in macroeconomics and/or public finance and/or economic planning.
• First preference will be given to candidates with experience in the operations of sector or general Budget Support and in trade policy.
• Experience in the COMESA region will be an added advantage.

Language and Skills

• Excellent command of English or French and report writing skills are required.
• Knowledge of the second language will be an added advantage.
• He/she will have the capacity to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• He/she must be computer and internet literate.

Duration and location of the mission

• The expert will be contracted for 2 year renewal contract.
• The expert will be based at the COMESA Secretariat, Lusaka, Zambia but should be prepared and willing to travel extensively both within and outside of the COMESA region.

Monitoring and Evaluation Expert
P3

The overall objective of this position is to contribute to Regional Integration in Africa through the monitoring of the integration efforts of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Eastern and Southern Africa, the monitoring of integration efforts of COMESA Member States and finally of COMESA Work Plans.

The specific objective of the programme monitoring and evaluation Expert is to assist the Secretariat in adjusting the quality of successive COMESA Work Plans in line with the goals and strategies of COMESA, the initiatives of its Member States and of other RECs in the region.

Under the overall direction of the Assistant Secretary General (Programmes) the Monitoring and Evaluation Expert will perform the following functions:

Expected results

The results to be delivered by the Monitoring and Evaluation Expert are as follows:

• Internal Monitoring of COMESA’s Work Plan System implemented;
• Regional Integration Surveillance mechanism designed and approved for implementation in COMESA;
• Improved planning and better targeted work plans, taking into account Regional Integration initiatives of member states, of others RECs and of development institutions as well as National Indicative Programmes.

Tasks

The tasks of the programme monitoring and evaluation Expert will include the following:

1. Monitor the implementation of the annual work programmes to ensure consistency and effectiveness of activities to objectives and expected results respectively;
2. In collaboration with operations and experts, design and implement a regional integration surveillance mechanism with the aim to :

• provide a measure of how successful regional policies are in promoting regional integration;
• highlighting at an early stage potential issues which will slow down regional economic integration and to allow the region to develop a policy response in a timely manner;
• taking the initiative to determine what parameters the region itself thinks is important in terms of poverty reduction and development rather than relying on the preconceptions of outside agencies;
• developing a set of indicators which measure the progress being made in regional integration which can act both as a set of “conditionalities” for the PRSP approach (and so develop some consistencies in conditionalities at a regional level) and as a basis for assessing risk for outside investors;
• developing a set of regional “lock-in” mechanisms through a peerage systemto be used as a trigger mechanism for budgetary support in cases where countries need such assistance to continue with the process of liberalization
• Analyse relevance of annual work programmes and propose reviews where necessary;

Education

• The candidate must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Development Studies or any relevant discipline from a recognised University.
• Additional training in Project Management and Research is essential.

Experience

• At least 8 years of post-graduate, professional experience in Research and Development gained in regional or international organisations.
• Demonstrated ability and skills in report writing.
• He/She will have relevant professional experience in macro-economics analysis.
• He/she will have also broad experience in trade and trade policy issues and regional integration.
• He/she will have practical experience with the management of projects in all areas relevant to the COMESA’s regional integration programme.
• Experience in the COMESA as well as a proven experience of international donor funded cooperation programmes will be an added advantage.

Language and skills

• Excellent command of English and report writing skills are required. Knowledge of French will be an added advantage.
• He/she will have the capacity to work independently as well as part of a team.
• He/she must be computer and internet literate.

Competencies

• Ability to work in a team and to complete assignments with minimum supervision
• Excellent research skills and analytical ability
• Ability to familiarise rapidly with new subjects
• Ability to prioritise, plan, coordinate work
• Resourcefulness, initiative, a high sense of responsibility and demonstrated capacity to work effectively, rapidly and accurately under pressure for extended periods and meet strict deadlines
• Good interpersonal skills.

The Closing date for all posts will be 28th February 2011.

All applications should be submitted to the Secretary General
(Attention: Director of Administration)

Email: recruitment@comesa.int