Head of Liaison Office

The Head of Liaison Office is responsible for leading and coordinating activities, designing strategies and liaising with stakeholders. The role involves managing the Unit’s mandate, providing legal and institutional support, and fostering strategic partnerships to support the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities, supervise and manage employees on the delivery of the Unit’s mandate and performance objectives.
• Provide legal and institutional support on policy programs to achieve these strategies; lead, guide and supervise the implementation of planned activities.
• Contribute to the development of the AfCFTA Secretariat’s business continuity plan and ensure implementation at the AU Liaison Office.
• Manage risk within the Division and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Provide legal guidance to the operationalization of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund.
• Develop new and expand on existing activities as components of these strategies and policies.
• Address problems arising from current approaches to relevant areas.
• Supervise the engagement with stakeholders on designing and implementing AfCFTA strategies.
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at the Division level.
• Undertake research, drafting, or representation assignments, and any other tasks.
• Ensure creation of an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.
• Foster and ensure implementation of large-scale and long-term initiatives related to strategic partnerships.
• Mobilize resources from donors to support the implementation of AfCFTA Secretariat strategy.
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the Unit’s support to AfCFTA Secretariat.
• Liaise between the Commission, AU policy Organs in Addis Ababa and the AfCFTA Secretariat in addition to facilitating coordination with partners and stakeholders.
• Deliver legal advice and assistance to adjudicators ensuring consistency with AfCFTA law and other jurisprudence while considering systemic implications.
• Contribute to the reporting to AU bodies on budget, programme and overall implementation of the AfCFTA goals.
• Represent the AfCFTA Secretariat at meetings of Policy Organs.
• Supervise, Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the decisions of the AfCFTA Liaison Unit.
• Ensure proper coordination in the harmonization of the AfCFTA activities with those of the AUC.
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the policy guidance in close collaboration with all AU Organs.
• Build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships between the AfCFTA Secretariat and other agencies and organizations.
• Support on the coordination and harmonization of the AU Activities with those of the AfCFTA Secretariat.
• Support legal matters related to the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund.
• Represent the organization and explain its position at conferences and other relevant platforms.
• Ensure RECs are well informed on decisions undertaken to avoid any duplication.
• Perform any other relevant tasks that may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Law, International Law (Public International Law, Law of the Sea, International Trade Law, International Economic Law and Intellectual Property Rights) or relevant studies.
• Twelve (12) years relevant work experience, including seven (7) years managerial experience in an international organization dealing with relevant issues.
• Four (4) years’ experience in a supervisory role.
• Training in policy analysis, research, policy review and formulation.
• Proven experience in policy formulation, research and programme management /coordination.
• Ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between various stakeholders and partners, as well as geographically and culturally disparate partners.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally.
• Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans and actions, including budgets, that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Ability to prepare Budget, Progress Report, Work Plan and present for its adoption.
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff.
• Ability to effectively use the African Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting Tools.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Skills

• International Law
• Public International Law
• Law of the Sea
• International Trade Law
• International Environmental Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Policy Analysis
• Policy Review
• Policy Formulation Support
• Programme Management
• Programme Coordination
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Partnership Development
• Budget Preparation
• Progress Reporting
• Workplan Development
• Staff Supervision
• Technical Mentoring
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• African Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting Tools

Languages

English