Vision & Purpose
The role is supposed to help the Bank to achieve its mission “stimulating a consistent expansion of and diversification of African trade so as to rapidly increase Africa’s share of global trade, while operating as a first class, profit oriented, socially responsible financial institution and a centre of excellence in African trade matters” by developing opportunities for trade facilitation and market access for intra African trade finance, projects and export development finance at the continental and regional level.
Afreximbank’s current Strategic Plan dubbed Impact 2021: Africa Transformed, is based on four strategic pillars namely: Intra-African Trade; Industrialization and Export Development; Trade Finance Leadership, Financial Soundness and Performance. The job holder is responsible for the implementation of the specific Interventions on Trade Facilitation relating to intra-African trade.
Nature & scope
The position holder is supposed to:
- implement the specific Trade Facilitation interventions identified in the Intra-African Trade Strategy;
- engage with various stakeholders (public, private and civil society) at the national, regional and continental level and develop partnerships to implement the key Trade Facilitation activities identified by the Bank;
- mobilise resources from partners to support the implementation of key Trade Facilitation activities identified by the Bank; and
- ensure execution of activities in line with approved work plans.
Duties and responsibilities
- Initiating and actively securing mandates, MoUs and collaboration agreements for executing all initiatives aimed at easing intra-African trade flows;
- Mobilising resources to implement key trade facilitation activities, including the development of trade-carrying infrastructure across the Africa;
- Managing important partnerships necessary for delivery of the Bank’s intra African trade strategic objectives;
- Assist in building capacity and training of partner institutions on key trade facilitation interventions identified by the Bank to ensure that they will be better placed to implement and rigorously apply required conventions and standards to facilitate the flow of regional and continental trade;
- facilitating establishment of internationally accredited laboratories across Africa;
- working with partners towards harmonisation of standards for trade;
- working with RECs and various stakeholders to introduce an Inter-State Transit Guarantee Facility;
- facilitating the emergence and expansion of Export Trading Companies or Export Houses across Africa acting as instruments for creating strong and reliable value chains within the continent;
- organising Intra-African Trade Fairs to connect buyers and sellers and provide trade and market information;
- developing a reliable trade information centre or repository and managing a framework for providing intra-African trade information and export advisory services to bridge the gap on trade and market information; and developing and implementing the Diaspora Initiative that will allow for the application of African capital, knowledge and skills of Diaspora to promote intra-African trade.
Assist IATI to undertake the following:
- a) Preparation of an Annual Intra-African Trade Facilitation Work Plan and Budget, derived from the Intra-African Trade Strategy and the Bank’s Strategic Plan for Management’s Approval;
- b) Implementing approved trade facilitation plans and strategies towards increasing intra-African trade. This includes implementing key trade facilitation activities identified in the Intra-African Trade Strategy such as:
- Creating an Intra-African Trade Payment Platform aimed at formalising informal cross-border trade, reducing foreign currency costs of trade etc;
- Trade Policy advocacy and engagement with African countries, Regional Economic Communities and other stakeholders (private sector and civil society) at with a focus on key trade facilitation activities identified by the Bank;
- Carry out related research work with partner institutions to identify existing bottlenecks to intra-African trade and propose solutions as well as implementing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that highlight required changes to existing facilitation mechanisms to enhance intra-African trade;
- As may be delegated by Senior Management, representing the Bank in high level meetings, fora and making presentations in conformity with the high standards for which the Bank has become known
- Any another duties as may be assigned by senior management from time to time
Skills, Knowledge and Attitude
- Bachelor’s degree and post graduate degree in Economics, International Trade, or other trade related disciplines from a recognized University or a recognized post graduate professional qualification in a relevant area;
- Sound experience of at least 8 years with a leading trade policy and facilitation consulting firm, think tank, or development/international finance institution and familiarity with the practical solutions that should be applied at macro and micro level to enhance the growth of intra-African trade;
- Demonstrate experience in executing and delivering solutions relating to Trade Facilitation
- Knowledge of existing bilateral, regional and international trade conventions and protocols (e.g. bilateral trade agreements, regional trade agreements among RECs, the Tripartite FTA, the CFTA,WTO) as well as other trade related initiatives by WCO, UNCTAD etc…
- Demonstrated experience of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade-related negotiations;
- Knowledge of trade finance related products that can be deployed to enhance intra-African trade;
- Ability to communicate and function in a culturally diverse and change oriented setting with good knowledge of banking practices in Africa;
- Ability to interact with senior officials of national, regional and international trade facilitation bodies and national governments and to represent the Bank in important professional fora where oral presentation of papers will be necessary to high level technical and professional audiences;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of the Bank’s other working languages is an added advantage (French, Arabic and Portuguese);
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including ability to organize and manage human resources to attain goals; and
- Ability to demonstrate proof of passion and commitment to the socio-economic empowerment of African countries and the ability to support the achievement of Afreximbank’s mandate.