Senior Investment Expert

Overseas Development Institute
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
S: Competitive daily rate

1. Background
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 achieve 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 1 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. The AfCFTA will come into force when 22 instruments of ratification have been deposited with the African Union Commission (AUC).
Phase II of the negotiations have commenced and these will cover Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Competition Policy. The Assembly has directed that negotiations on Phase II issues must be concluded by June 2020 with the delivery of the 3 thematic Protocols.
In seeking to comply with the mandate and instructions given by the Heads of State and Government, there is need to increase capacity at the Department of Trade and Industry for experts on Investment, IPRs and Competition Policy. In this regard the AUC requires assistance from its Partners in engaging a SIE responsible for Investment to join the AfCFTA Support Unit under the Department of Trade and Industry.
2. About the role
AUC and ODI are looking to engage a Senior Investment Expert (SIE) placed in the AUC to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations as part of the DFID-funded support for ODI and AUC.
The main aim of the role is to increase the analytical and technical capabilities of the AU Commission in the area of investment policy. The SIE will enhance the DTI capabilities in coordinating the negotiation and the implementation of the eventual Investment Protocol.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
The principal objective for this role is to facilitate and provide technical and secretarial support to the appropriate levels of the Member State-driven AfCFTA negotiations on Investment. The SEI 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 Head of the AfCFTA Support Unit, the SIE 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 DTI/AUC;
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 DTI/AUC) in the research agenda included in the partnership between AUC, ODI and UK DFID
k) Development and implementation of a Continental Investment Policy including stakeholder engagement.
l) Provision of policy guidelines and facilitation of implementation of a Continental Investment Policy.
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 Chief Technical Advisor AfCFTA Support Unit for the periodic reports of the activities of the AfCFTA Support Unit, ensuring that agreed deadlines for these inputs are strictly adhered to; and
r) Performance of any other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Technical Advisor, AfCFTA Support Unit or the Director of Industry and Trade and ODI.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a) Candidates must have a University Master's Degree in economics, international trade 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 trade 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.
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.

5. 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.

6. Language Requirement

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

7. Duration and remuneration
A one-year assignment is envisaged initially from June 2019 to June 2020, with a view to extending it by one year.


8. Application process and management
The identification and appointment of the SEI will be undertaken jointly by the DTI/AUC and ODI, which will agree on the necessary coordination mechanisms.

His/her daily activities will be overseen by the Head of the AfCFTA Support Unit, DTI, with final oversight by the Director of Trade and Industry. The Head of the AfCFTA Support Unit will be in charge of providing guidance on the specific nature of his/her work and approving a work plan for the SEI.

ODI will manage the administrative aspects of the placement, including the contract with the SEI.

The AUC and the ODI Researcher responsible will discuss periodically about his/her performance and will coordinate on any necessary related action. ODI will report quarterly to DFID.

9. Possible next steps
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 Jessica Evans jessica.evans@odi.org.uk at ODI.

Please use the email subject line F0277900 SEI
The deadline for applications is Friday 12th April 2019.
Interviews will take place within 3 weeks of application closing date.act Details
Contract type: Consultancy contract; rates to be agreed depending on experience

10. Personal Data Disclaimer
ODI will manage this recruitment process but CVs and cover letters will be shared with staff at DTI/AUC as both institutions will be involved in the interview process.

Job summary