Location : Accra, Ghana
Directorate / Department: Trade in Services
Reports To: Head of Trade in Services Division
Contract Type: Fixed-term: Job Grade: P4
Requisition ID: 3019
Application Deadline: 7 July 2026 (11:59 p.m. UTC)
Purpose of the Job
The staff is responsible for coordinating and leading 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
- Provide 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.
- Contribute to the design and development of strategies, policies, and programmes in alignment with the Directorate’s objectives and priorities.
- Support the development and implementation of the Division’s business continuity plan and risk mitigation measures.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with State Parties, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), development partners, private sector organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Conduct research, policy analysis, and monitor developments in trade in services to inform the Directorate’s work and policy recommendations.
- Develop technical guidance notes, training materials, reports, and other knowledge products to support implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services.
- Represent the Division or Directorate and contribute technical expertise at meetings, conferences, negotiations, and other regional and international forums, as required.
- Contribute to resource mobilization efforts and the implementation of projects and programmes under the Division.
Specific Responsibilities
- Assist the Head of Division in the preparation and implementation of the Division’s Annual Action Plan and related programmes and activities under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services, including the development of offers and scheduling of commitments.
- Provide technical support to State Parties in the negotiation and implementation of commitments under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services.
- Support capacity-building initiatives for State Parties and stakeholders on all technical and legal aspects of trade in services.
- Contribute to the development, management, and implementation of technical assistance programmes and projects relating to trade in services negotiations, including the development and finalization of offers and draft schedules of specific commitments in the different services sectors.
- Conduct research, policy analysis, and prepare technical papers, reports, briefing notes, and recommendations on trade in services issues.
- Prepare progress reports on trade in services negotiations, including schedules of specific commitments, and provide technical inputs on trade in services matters for inclusion in the Secretary-General’s annual report and other institutional reporting processes.
- Develop training materials and deliver technical assistance, workshops, and training programmes on trade in services issues, including the development of offers and the finalization of draft schedules of specific commitments for State Parties and relevant stakeholders.
- Formulate advice and recommendations for State Parties on matters relating to trade in services negotiations, especially work related to schedules of specific commitments.
- Coordinate and provide technical support to the Committee on Trade in Services, its Sub-Committees, technical working groups, and related negotiation processes to ensure their smooth and effective functioning.
- Provide targeted and specialized technical support to the Sub-Committee on Specific Commitments, other relevant Sub-Committees, and the Committee on Trade in Services by:
- Assessing and monitoring market access and national treatment commitments undertaken by State Parties and ensuring they are consistent with the requirements of the Protocol on Trade in Services.
- Evaluating the compliance of State Parties’ Schedules of Commitments with the requirements of Article 22 of the Protocol on Trade in Services.
- Establishing mechanisms for the removal of restrictions on trade in services under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services.
- Monitoring the removal of non-conforming measures and barriers to trade in services contained in the Schedules of Specific Commitments of State Parties.
- Ensuring that compensatory adjustments offered by State Parties during proposed modifications to their Schedules of Specific Commitments are made on a most-favoured-nation basis.
- Carrying out consultations on ongoing national and regional processes concerning the domestication of commitments under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services and the adoption of new or significant modifications of existing measures by State Parties.
- Proposing technical assistance and capacity-building activities to support negotiations on trade in services and the implementation of the Schedules of Specific Commitments.
- Preparing annual reports on the status of the Schedules of Specific Commitments by State Parties to facilitate the negotiation of additional commitments and the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of existing commitments.
- Carrying out any other functions assigned by the Committee on Trade in Services in furtherance of the objectives of the Protocol on Trade in Services.
- Represent the Division at meetings, negotiations, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder consultations, as required.
- Carry out any other tasks assigned by the Head of Division.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Candidates must have either:
- Master’s degree in International Trade, Development Economics, International Relations, International Business, International Law, Political Science, or a relevant discipline, with at least 10 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience, of which:
- 6 years should be at managerial or expert level; and
- At least 3 years should be in a supervisory role.
OR
- Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Development Economics, International Relations, International Business, International Law, Political Science, or a relevant discipline, with at least 12 years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience, of which:
- 6 years should be at managerial or expert level; and
- At least 3 years should be in a supervisory role.
Required Skills
- Management experience and the ability to relate to and facilitate interactions with others.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Report writing and presentation skills.
- Planning and organizational skills.
- Ability to negotiate diplomatically.
- Ability to delegate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority regarding performance management and professional development.
- Conscientiousness in observing deadlines and achieving results.
- Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant field.
- Proficiency in one AU working language (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili). Fluency in another AU working language is an added advantage.
Leadership Competencies
- Developing Others
- Strategic Insight
- Change Management
- Managing Risk
Core Competencies
- Building Relationships
- Fostering an Accountability Culture
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Influence
Functional Competencies
- Conceptual Thinking
- Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
- Drive for Results
- Continuous Improvement Orientation
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for a period of one (1) or 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 African Union 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, or Spanish) is mandatory. Fluency in another AU working language is an added advantage.
Remuneration
- Internationally recruited staff: Annual lump-sum salary of US$115,147.00 (P4 Step 5), inclusive of all allowances.
- Locally recruited staff of the AfCFTA Secretariat: Annual lump-sum salary of US$98,199.34, inclusive of all allowances.
Important Notes
- Applications must be submitted no later than 7 July 2026, 11:59 p.m. UTC.
- Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
- Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit a fully completed online application, curriculum vitae (CV), African passport, and the required academic qualifications, including diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and any relevant certificates related to the area of expertise.
- Candidates from less-represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply. 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 Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, and Tunisia.
How to Apply
Apply Here.