Call for Application: Investment Expert placed in the AfCFTA Secretariat

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May 12, 2021

Introduction

The AfCFTA Secretariat and ODI are looking to recruit an Investment Expert (IE) placed in the AfCFTA Secretariat to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations on the investment protocol as part of the FCDO-funded support to ODI under the name Support Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA). This draft concept notes provides justification and a preliminary job description.

Economic transformation is one of the main pillars of the African Union Agenda 2063. Increasing trade and investment in general and specifically amongst AU member States is critical to achieving economic transformation. The increase of intra and extra-African investment in Africa is critical to developing and improving the productive capabilities required to raise productivity and create employment. AfCFTA helps this process.

Phase I of the negotiations, which commenced in February 2016, covered Trade in Goods; Trade in Services; and Rules and Procedures on the Settlement of Disputes. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government directed and guided the negotiation process throughout. This culminated in the signing of the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area at the 10th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly held on 21st March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. Implementation of Phase I of the AfCFTA begun in January 2021.

Phase II of the negotiations have commenced and they cover Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Competition Policy. The Assembly has directed that negotiations on Phase II issues must be concluded by the end of 2021.

In seeking to comply with the mandate and instructions given by the Heads of State and Government, there is a need to support the negotiation process through technical support to the AfCFTA Secretariat. In this regard and in order to complete negotiations of the Phase II Protocol on Investment and prepare successful implementation of the agreement, the AfCFTA Secretariat requires assistance in the form of a technical expert on investment.

Purpose

This proposal aims to increase the analytical and technical capabilities of the AfCFTA Secretariat in the negotiations and implementation of provisions by identifying, appointing and supporting the placement of an investment specialist in the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Duties and Responsibilities

The principal objective of this post is to facilitate and provide technical and secretarial support to the appropriate levels of the Member State-driven AfCFTA negotiations on the Protocol on Investment. The IE will provide strategic guidance to the Member States on the development and implementation of a continental investment instrument in support of the AfCFTA. The post is key in facilitating the negotiations and all the preparatory work in developing background documents and studies to support the development of the Investment Protocol.

Under the general guidance of the Director for Trade in Services, Investment, IPRs and Digital Trade of the AfCFTA Secretariat and the day-to-day management of the Senior Investment Expert, the IE shall be required to undertake these specific tasks:

a) Prepare and/or coordinate analytical studies and background papers aimed at facilitating the conclusion of the negotiations by Member States of the draft AfCFTA Protocol on investment;

b) Provision of appropriate technical and other investment law-related advice to Member State representatives participating in technical meetings;

c) Participate in the planning, organisation and servicing of related AUC events and meetings, and ensure the timely production and dissemination of minutes of technical meetings;

d) Participate as delegate in other meetings and negotiations as requested by the AfCFTA Secretariat;

e) Lead and facilitate the drafting of negotiation documents, position papers and other negotiation related output, aimed at the finalisation of the draft Investment Protocol;

f) Lead and facilitate the coordination of negotiation inputs provided by Member States;

g) Coordination and facilitation of technical assistance programmes in support of implementation of the Investment Protocol.

h) Liaise with the relevant counterparts in the Member States, RECs and other international organisations, responsible for investment;

i) Facilitate policy dialogue on investment law and policy amongst key stakeholders at national, regional and continental level;

j) Collaborate (in coordination with the AfCFTA Secretariat) in the research agenda included in the partnership between AfCFTA Secretariat, ODI and UK FCDO

k) Development and implementation of Continental Investment Protocol including stakeholder engagement.

l) Provision of policy guidelines and facilitation of implementation of a Continental Investment Protocol.

m) Facilitating policy dialogue on investment policy amongst stakeholders.

n) Facilitating studies and advocacy programs on investment policy in Africa.

o) Examine challenges facing investment in Africa and propose activities or initiatives to address them.

p) Establish and operationalize Africa investment network which shall be responsible for coordination and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

q) produce the required inputs on issues relating to Investment Policy negotiations to the Director of trade in services, investment, IPRs and digital trade of the AfCFTA Secretariat for the periodic reports of the activities, ensuring that agreed deadlines for these inputs are strictly adhered to; and

r) Performance of any other duties as may be assigned by the Director, the Senior Investment Expert and ODI.

s) Report to ODI periodically on the activities performed as part of the programme

Education Qualifications and Experience

a) Candidates must have a University Master's Degree in economics, international relations or development policy, international investment law, international trade law or another appropriate related discipline. A higher post-graduate qualification in any of these areas or an additional relevant professional diploma will be an added advantage.

b) Candidates must have had at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience as a negotiator or technical advisor in regional integration or investment treaty negotiations. At least five (5) years of such experience should have been in support of – or within – a national, regional, continental or international organization, and should have been concerned with investment law/policy aimed at promoting regional and/or international trade and investment, including a deep understanding of the Investment Protocol and International Investment Agreements/treaties.

c) Candidates with University Bachelor Degree can be considered provided they have 15 years of relevant work experience out of which 5 must be at managerial level.

Other relevant Skills

a) Candidates must be computer literate (Microsoft Office Suite).

b) Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment.

c) Candidates must have good planning, organizational and reporting skills.

Nationality requirements

Successful candidate must be citizen of any of the African Union Members. Candidates from North, West and Central Africa are encouraged to apply.

Language Requirement

Working proficiency of oral English and French. Knowledge of Arabic and Portuguese will be an asset.

Duration

A ten-month assignment is envisaged initially until March 2022, with a possibility of extension by one year.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a (maximum) 2-page covering letter outlining how your qualifications, skills and experience match those outlined above to Michelle Nourrice m.nourrice@odi.org.uk at ODI.

Please use the email subject line SITA Investment Expert Application

The deadline for applications is Monday 17th May 2021.

Interviews will take place within 1-2 weeks of application closing date.

Personal Data Disclaimer

ODI will manage this recruitment process but CVs and cover letters will be shared with staff at the AfCFTA Secretariat as both institutions will be involved in the interview process.