Accra TRADE IN SERVICES OFFICER (AfCFTA)

AU Values

• Respect for Diversity and TeamWork             • Think Africa Above all                     
• Transparency and Accountability                • Integrity and Impartiality                       
• Efficiency and Professionalism                 • Information and Knowledge Sharing

Organization Information

Reports to: Head of Trade In Services Division
Directorate/Department: Trade In Services
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Location: Accra, Ghana

Purpose of Job

The staff will assist in coordinating technical activities under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services, including services trade negotiations, implementation, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building programmes, in support of the Division's strategic objectives.

Main Functions

• Assist in providing technical support in the implementation of activities under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services and related initiatives;
• Coordinate and contribute to services trade negotiations and the implementation of negotiated commitments by State Parties;
• Assist in following up on the activities of the Division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan, policies, programmes and work plan;
• Support the development and implementation of the Division’s business continuity plan and risk mitigation measures;
• Assist in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with State Parties, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), development partners, private sector organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate;
• Participate in conducting research, policy analysis, and monitoring developments in trade in services to inform the Directorate’s work and policy recommendations;
• Support the development of technical guidance notes, training materials, reports and other knowledge products to support implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services;
• Contribute to conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and internal use;
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division;
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Assist in developing training materials and delivery of technical assistance, workshops, and training programmes on trade in services issues, including the development of offers and finalization of draft schedules of specific commitments for State Parties and relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of quantitative and qualitative analytical tools to evaluate the implementation of commitments by State and non-State Parties;
• Assist in the development of quarterly work plans and programmes of the Sub-Committee on Specific Commintment;
• Participate in meetings of Sub-Committee of Specific Commitments and related capacity building workshops
• Support the provision of targeted technical support to the Sub-Committee on Specific Commitments, other relevant Sub-Committees and the Committee on Trade in Services in:

• 1. Assessing and monitoring of market-access and national treatment commitments undertaken by State Parties and ensuring that they are consistent with the relevant requirements of the Protocol on Trade in Services.
  2. Establishing a mechanism for the removal of restrictions on trade in services under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services;
  3. Monitoring the removal of State Parties’ non-conforming measures and barriers to trade in services in their Schedules of Specific Commitments;

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Master’s degree in international trade, development economics, international relations, international business, international law, political science or relevant disciplines
• Three (3) years of work experience in trade in services and relevant areas, experience in relevant research work will be an added advantage

OR

• University Bachelor’s degree in international trade, development economics, international relations, international business, international law, political science or relevant disciplines
• five (5) years of work experience in the area of trade in services and relevant areas, experience in relevant research work will be an added advantage

Required Skills

• Ability to relate and facilitate interactions with others;
• Ability to think critically and solve problems;
• Ability to communication orally and in writing;
• Report writing and presentation skills;
• Planning and organisational skills;
• Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant area; and 
• 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.

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

Footer

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The Appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for a period of one (1)/ two (2) years, of which the first six (6) months will be considered a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed up to two times based on positive performance assessment and subject to the availability of funds. 

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:
Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory, and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  88,381.02 (P2 Step 5), inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  70,805.71, inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

-Applications must be submitted no later than 07 August 2026, 11:59 p.m. UTC.
-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted. 
-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
-Candidates from less-represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, and Tunisia.

Requisition ID: 3061