Regional Director, East and Central Africa (JG3)
Deadline date – Friday, 21 July 2023
The Regional Director (East & Central Africa) oversees TradeMark Africa’s programme delivery in East and Central Africa at the country level through developing and implementing TMA’s in-country strategies and programmes to generate the required results. S/he will be responsible for liaising with external partners and stakeholders and other major programmes of key development partners, to establish TMA as a significant and respected organisation and programme, in response to the challenges of regional trade and integration in East and Central Africa
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Job details
Job title: Regional Director, East and Central Africa Line Manager title: Chief of Programmes (CoP) Countersigning Officer: CEO
Grade: JG3 Direct reports:
Country Directors for DRC, Kenya, Tanzania and
Uganda & South Sudan and Country Representative for Burundi
Department: Programme Department Location: Any office in East Africa
Job summary
The Regional Director (East & Central Africa) oversees TradeMark
Africa’s programme delivery in East and Central Africa at country level
through developing and implementing TMA’s in-country strategies and
programmes to generate the required results. S/he leads on co-ordinating
implementation of TMA’s operations across country and regional
programmes with the Chief of Programmes (CoP) – primarily “how” TMA does
projects. S/he will be responsible for liaising with external partners
and stakeholders and other major programmes of key development partners,
to establish TMA as a significant and respected organisation and
programme, in response to the challenges of regional trade and
integration in East and Central Africa. The role involves strategic
quality assurance, management and oversight of TMA’s delivery system to
deliver agreed organisational impact objectives and related Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs). The Regional Director (East & Central
Africa) will function with a high degree of responsibility,
accountability and autonomy in reporting on key country programme
deliverables to the CoP.
The job holder will work with other SLMT members to develop and sustain a
high-performance culture where TMA deliver results that demonstrate
TMA’s expertise in trade and regional integration. S/he work with the
CEO, CoP and the other members of the Senior Leadership & Management
Team (SLMT) to ensure strong integration across all functional areas to
improve TMA’s effectiveness and to drive a result-focus across the
organisation; and institutionalise mechanisms that align people and
resources to strategy to enable TMA to establish a reputation as a
leading specialist agency which delivers results and positively impacts
on prosperity for East and Central African citizens.
Roles and responsibilities
Strategy development and implementation at Senior Leadership & Management Team level (20%)
• Work effectively and closely with the CEO, CoP and SLMT in developing and managing TMA’s development and strategy.
• Actively participate in the continued implementation of TMA’s Strategy
2 Programme and in future programme development including potential
geographical expansion with the CEO, CoP and SLMT.
• Contribute actively to regular SLMT meetings, highlighting key country programme portfolio issues for senior engagement.
• Lead Country Heads in developing annual business plans for capacity
development, policy reforms, systems and infrastructure development for
regional trade and integration in East and Central Africa in support of
the broad TMA goals and objectives, for approval by the National
Oversight Committees (NOCs), Board and Council.
• Oversee and direct the development of national programmes as a central part of TMA’s overall activities and impact.
• Liaise with the Chief of Programmes in development of Project
Appraisal Reports (PARs) outlining inputs, activities and outputs
required to achieve TMA’s strategy and business plan, for approval by
NOCs, Board and Council.
• Integrate on-going Development Partners’ support for regional trade
and integration activities where aligned to TMA’s goals and objectives.
• With the CEO and CoP, take a leading role in developing TMA’s new
long-term strategy and developing greater learning and accountability
practices across the organisation.
• Work with SLMT on strategic analysis, portfolio analysis and
stakeholder perceptions to inform future programming, and for reporting
to the NOCs, Board and Council.
Political, stakeholder and diplomatic engagement, fundraising and partnership development (15%)
• Oversee and shape TMA’s strategic political, stakeholder and diplomatic engagement at country level in
• East and Central Africa.
• Examine opportunities for strategic partnerships to enable TMA to achieve its objectives with the CEO and
• CoP.
• Highlight opportunities for increased funding and co-manage
fundraising with the CEO and other members of SLMT as agreed with the
CEO and CoP. This will include supporting funding applications,
responding to requests for information, etc.
• Co-ordinate country level political management with CoP and SLMT. This
will include undertaking regular Ministerial level operational
engagement with country-based stakeholders.
• Actively represent and promote TMA’s work and profile and deputise in
national and international public events and fora for the CEO and CoP,
particularly those related to TMA operations.
• Provide strategic input and engage with stakeholders and partners on
regional trade and integration involving EAC institutions and Partner
States and development partners.
• Promote local procurement of all proposed, direct or indirect, TMA
sub-contracts and related opportunities in order to develop the East
Africa based service provider capacity.
Programme development and delivery (30%)
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• Work closely with the CoP and Country Heads to coordinating implementation of TMA’s operations across country programmes.
• Lead on (and be held accountable for) development and delivery of
coherent multi-country operational strategy delivery and allied
budgeting, business planning, forecasting & expenditure reviews.
• Ensure robust country risk management frameworks are in place in all countries of operation.
• Co-manage political risk and engagement at country and regional levels with the CEO and SLT.
• Ensure full compliance with TMA regulations across operations (1st Line of Defence).
• Actively manage the smooth introduction of TMA’s enhanced matrix
management approaches to ensure harmonious co-working and ensure
compliance of all teams to TMA procedures and policies.
• Lead on coordination of annual reviews across countries.
• Provide on-going strategic input and quality assurance support to country portfolios in order to maximise results impact.
• Ensure a comprehensive dashboard of key programme performance
indicators (KPIs) is regularly monitored and managed across countries to
ensure 80% plus levels of performance attainment.
• Manage a series of effective performance meetings of country teams, and regular monthly KPPI meetings with the CoP.
• Liaise with the Programme Delivery Hub and Impact Unit to ensure that
portfolios and projects are regularly monitored through implementation
of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms by all country programme
teams.
• Liaise with the Programme Delivery Hub and Impact Unit to ensure proactive communication of TMA’s
• results streams to stakeholders and partners.
• Ensure programme implementation of key crosscutting themes and
strategies for gender, poverty, safeguards, extractives and climate
change.
• Oversee efficient and effective operation of country programmes in
line with funding agreements with donors and defined TMA policies and
procedures.
• Prepare periodic management reports for submission to the Board and Council.
• Ensure that programme teams have high calibre financial management
with 90% of disbursements/payments made in line with forecasts, and that
TMA manages its financial resources with minimal risk or incidence of
fraud or misappropriation.
Team management (15%)
• Provide excellent strategic leadership and management of direct reports in order to obtain the optimal
• performance from TMA’s key assets, its staff.
• Invest significant time in mentoring direct reports to ensure smooth
implementation of TMA’s succession plan. This will include overseeing
and supporting professional training and inter-personal development of
programme teams, and promotion of the most able staff.
• Ensure close coordination, harmonisation and strong integration between countries.
Support TMA’s governance and oversight structures (10%) • Support Country Heads in provision of support to the NOCs.
• Support CEO and CoP in provision of support to the Board of Directors
(including Board Committees) and Council including drafting high-quality
Board and Council papers.
• Lead on the management of programme inputs to the Operations Committee of the Board.
General (10%)
• Support business of SLT through meetings and follow-up on issues as and when they arise.
• Contribute to knowledge generation and dissemination and support
Country Heads in conducting regular informal and formal reflection,
knowledge sharing and learning events.
• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices
and behaviours and embed a positive risk and control culture.
• Demonstrate prudence, sound judgement and appropriate and timely
escalations in management of all types of risk (including fraud risk)
applicable to the role.
• Understand and comply with the relevant end-to-end processes including applicable risks and controls.
• Seek to identify, understand and escalate risk events/incidents/
issues on a timely basis focusing on fixing root-causes and taking
ownership of identified mitigating actions.
• Complete all relevant mandatory trainings within the stipulated timelines.
• Promote and adhere to TMA’s core values and ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Maintain zero tolerance of bribery, fraud and corruption, and ensure
the immediate reporting of any corruption or suspect behaviour that
threatens TMA’s reputation.
• Adhere to the safeguarding policies and procedures and immediately report any safeguarding concerns.
• Any other related responsibilities that may be assigned by the CEO from time to time.
Organisational positioning
Academic and professional qualifications
Undergraduate or Master’s degree preferably in Economics, Development
Studies, International Trade, Planning, Finance or Management.
Work experience
• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least 15 years’ working
experience, including seven years of leadership and management
experience. Postgraduate degree holders will require at least 13 years’
experience including seven years of leadership and management
experience.
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in managing business units or
development programmes, particularly in areas related to TMA’s core
focus areas.
• Demonstrable knowledge, skills and experience in programme cycle
management and programme delivery, political economy analysis, donor
management and fundraising.
• Three years of senior level experience within East Africa or other developing economies are essential for this role.
Additional skills
Essential:
• Strong strategy orientation and experience with the ability to
communicate strategy and results concisely and simply. Ability to
deliver plan and performance to budget.
• Excellent leadership and management skills, with demonstrable strong people management.
• Adept at working with diverse teams, delivering change and achieving results.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong collaborative
partnerships/relationships with development partners, senior government
officials, civil society and business organisations.
• Sound technical knowledge of the African regional integration agenda
and of the major multilateral and bilateral trade agreements which
affect East African countries.
• Ability to influence others to achieve objectives and gain consensus and collaboration.
• Sound decision-making, judgement, problem solving, organisational and analytical skills.
• Excellent writing under time pressure, presentation, communication and personal effectiveness skills.
• Collaborative and team-oriented management approach and co-working approach.
• Strong computer literacy with proficiency in MS Office applications.
Read Also:
Desirable:
• Knowledge and practice in the areas of financial management, grant
management or risk assessment in a development organisation.
• Language skills in Kiswahili and/or French.
Sign off
Job holder name:
Signature: _______________
Date: _____________
Line Manager name:
Signature: _______________
Date: _____________
Counter-signing Quality Assuror (CQA) name:
Signature: _______________
Date: _____________
Senior Director, Trade Environment
Deadline date – Friday, 21 July 2023
A key member of TradeMark Africa’s (TMA’s) Senior Management Team, the Senior Director, Trade Environment is responsible for ensuring programme technical quality and operational delivery of TMA’s Trade Environment programmes and projects that aim to enhance market access by reducing barriers to trade for the growth of intra-Africa trade and trade between Africa and the rest of the world. In particular, s/he will ensure that TMA’s objectives, and associated strategic impacts, outcomes and outputs, are achieved around: improving the standards regime, implementing a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) programme; improving trade processes and systems, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT); and improving the trade regulatory environment including reduction of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). The job holder will ensure alignment of trade environment goals to TMA’s strategy, and the linkages between interventions in trade policy and facilitation, standards and SPS, Continental and regional integration policies, and ICT are mainstreamed in all aspects of TMA’s work and practice, and clearly linked to organisational objectives at both national, regional/corridor and continental levels.
Job details
Job title: Senior Director, Trade Environment Line Manager title: Chief of Programmes
Grade: Job Group 3 Direct reports:
• Director, Standard Quality Infrastructure (SQI) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
• Director, Trade Policy & Facilitation
• Director, ICT for Trade Facilitation
• Head of Trade Environment Programme Management
Department: Trade Environment Location: Flexible – one of TMA’s Country Office locations.
Job summary
A key member of TradeMark Africa’s (TMA’s) Senior Management Team,
the Senior Director, Trade Environment is responsible for ensuring
programme technical quality and operational delivery of TMA’s Trade
Environment programmes and projects that aim to enhance market access by
reducing barriers to trade for the growth of intra-Africa trade and
trade between Africa and the rest of the world. In particular, s/he will
ensure that TMA’s objectives, and associated strategic impacts,
outcomes and outputs, are achieved around: improving the standards
regime, implementing a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) programme;
improving trade processes and systems, including Information and
Communications Technology (ICT); and improving the trade regulatory
environment including reduction of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). The job
holder will ensure alignment of trade environment goals to TMA’s
strategy, and the linkages between interventions in trade policy and
facilitation, standards and SPS, Continental and regional integration
policies, and ICT are mainstreamed in all aspects of TMA’s work and
practice, and clearly linked to organisational objectives at both
national, regional/corridor and continental levels.
Read Also:
Roles and responsibilities
Strategic leadership and programme development
• As member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and the Senior
Leadership and Management Team (SLMT) support the process and
engagements in setting the strategic direction of the organisation
around strategy, people, operations, culture and corporate issues. This
will include engaging in decision-making; taking collective
responsibility for SLMT and SLT decisions, supporting and disseminating
them; and actively promoting staff engagement and setting a kind,
collaborative and professional culture.
• Oversee the design, development and delivery of a large, complex
portfolio across Africa at continental, regional/corridor and national
levels to improve Africa’s trade environment. This will include projects
focused on improving the continental, regional and national Trade
policy environment and enhancing the continental/regional investment
climate and governance e.g. support to the Continental and regional
organs, supporting Ministries of Trade and investment in countries of
TMA’s operations, standards harmonisation, elimination of NTBs and
providing ICT support for trade facilitation;
• Continuously review programmes and projects within the portfolio
and suggest refinements to TMA’s Theory of Change in liaison with the
Senior Management Team;
• Develop trade environment programming strategies and oversee
their implementation, including strategic planning, resources planning
and allocation, project proposals and Project Appraisal Reports (PARs);
• Accountable for the achievement of the trade environment
objectives and ensuring programmatic consistency, delivery and quality
assurance across the entire portfolio of projects whilst demonstrating
value for money and having clear mechanisms for measuring results. This
will require close liaison with the
respective country and regional Portfolio Senior Directors;
Country and Technical Directors; Country and Technical Managers;
Programme Delivery Hub (PDH);
• Liaise with Technical Directors, Country Directors and Technical
Advisers to agree delivery mechanisms and targets, and review progress
on achievement of outcome level milestones and desired results,
contributing to delivery of TMA’s objectives and meeting all
mobilisation and spending targets;
• Appraise and undertake due diligence of potential investment opportunities;
• Work with the Chief of Programmes to ensure effective matrix
management and lead in the development of strong working relationships
among Portfolio Directors, Project Leaders and Technical Directors, and
mediate and resolve disputes, as needed;
• Effective liaison with delivery partners and investors on programmatic issues and performance monitoring; and
• As part of the Senior Management team, support efficient and
adaptive implementation of TMA’s strategy in collaboration with TMA’s
Senior Leadership and other Management Teams.
Strategic partnerships/relationships
• Carry out high level representation of TMA at various national,
regional and international events and conferences and allied fundraising
as agreed with the Chief of Programmes and CEO;
• Lead on the implementation of regular dialogue with TMA’s trade
environment stakeholders including through the formation of different
advisory groups related to key areas of the portfolio;
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with
stakeholders including existing and potential donors and implementing
partners;
• Make substantive contributions to the operationalisation of
TMA’s leadership development and succession plan and ensure that the
organisation attracts and retains high calibre human resources to
optimise organisational performance;
• Demonstrate commitment to the inclusive establishment,
implementation, assessment and continuous improvement of TMA management
systems and policies. This includes contributing to the development of
measurable corporate goals and objectives in line with TMA priorities;
and
• Actively engage with the senior leadership and management
colleagues and contribute to strategic decision making and problem
solving.
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
• Manage and nurture strong internal technical competences and
knowledge management across the team, and through this ensure technical
excellence of work streams to the highest best in class standards;
• Maintain strong monitoring and evaluation systems for programme
delivery comprising qualitative and quantitative indicators for all
results and activities, in collaboration with the Results Team;
• Ensure a clear ‘line of sight’ with key strategic objective,
impact, outcome, output and project target results and work closely with
the Results team to obtain outcome delivery measurement data and
analyse progress against achievement of targets;
• Responsible for reporting on trade environment programming
delivery including coordinating high quality and timely quarterly and
annual reports of programme and financial performance. Contribute to
TMA-wide Annual and donor reports, in line with the monitoring and
evaluation framework; and
• Facilitate discussion, information sharing and agreement on the achievement of strategic objectives and targets.
Team management & knowledge management
• and ensuring that staff are resourced and equipped to perform at
a high standard, including managing poor performance effectively,
aligning L&D activities with individual and corporate development
areas, and identifying and bringing on talent.
• Manage, mentor, motivate and build a strong team of Technical
Directors and technical programme management staff, ensuring adequate
capacity is developed for successful delivery;
• Ensure that staff are resourced and equipped to perform at a
high standard, including managing poor performance effectively, aligning
L&D activities with individual and corporate development areas, and
identifying and bringing on talent, both internally and externally.
• Ensure world class management across the team in line with TMA’s culture and values;
• Ensure that staff are resourced and equipped to perform at a
high standard, including managing poor performance effectively, aligning
L&D activities with individual and corporate development areas, and
identifying and bringing on talent, both internally and externally.
Read Also:
• Manage and nurture strong internal technical competences and
knowledge management across TMA’s teams and trade environment cadre, and
through this ensure technical excellence of work streams to the highest
international standards;
• Manage and lead the delivery of TMA’s Knowledge Management
approaches and Communities of Practice under the organization Trade
Environment practice;
• Ensure risk management, transparency, zero tolerance to fraud
and corruption, and due diligence in all programming activities; and
• Ensure close coordination and foster strong integration with the other outcome delivery, and countrybased teams.
Corporate systems
• Contribute to knowledge generation and dissemination and support
teams in conducting regular informal and formal reflection, knowledge
sharing and learning events.
• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management
practices and behaviours and embed a positive risk and control culture.
• Promote the long-term success of the organisation through
leading in setting a confident and effective risk management culture of
scanning, reacting and escalating issues and concerns appropriately;
• Demonstrate prudence, sound judgement and appropriate and timely
escalations in management of all types of risk (including fraud risk)
applicable to the role.
• Understand and comply with the relevant end-to-end processes including applicable risks and controls.
• Seek to identify, understand and escalate risk events/incidents/
issues on a timely basis focusing on fixing root-causes and taking
ownership of identified mitigating actions.
• Complete all relevant mandatory trainings within the stipulated timelines.
• Promote and adhere to TMA’s core values and ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Maintain zero tolerance to bribery, fraud and corruption, and
ensure the immediate reporting of any corruption or suspect behaviour
that threatens TMA’s reputation.
• Adhere to the safeguarding policies and procedures and immediately report any safeguarding concerns.
• Any other related responsibilities that may be assigned by the
Chief of Programmes from time to time; including taking responsibility
for the success of the business beyond their operational area,
proactively supporting other senior colleagues to succeed in their
objectives, negotiating and delivering the contribution of their
resources to others’ objectives, and ensuring their work fits with
organisational goals.
Organisational positioning
Academic and professional qualifications
• Undergraduate or Masters’ degree preferably in Economics,
Development Studies, International Trade, Planning, Finance, Management
or other related fields.
• Trade Policy or International Trade qualifications are a distinct advantage.
Work experience
• Undergraduate degree holders will have at least 15 years’
working experience, including seven years of leadership and management
experience. Postgraduate degree holders will require at least 13 years’
experience including seven years of relevant leadership and management
experience.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in leading the development and
delivery of trade improvement initiatives and trade-related capacity
development programmes to enhance the capacities of developing countries
in trade policy development, formulation and implementation of trade
reforms, regional integration, and support to national governments.
• Significant work experience and networks with Regional Economic
Communities in West Africa, East Africa, Horn of Africa or Southern
Africa.
• Experience in working with private sector and civil society to
deliver trade capacity support and to support trade related advocacy.
• Three years of relevant senior level experience within Africa or other developing economies are essential for this role.
Technical skills and behavioural competencies
• Proven intellectual and strategic thinking skills with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong strategy formulation and implementation skills including
the ability to communicate strategy and results concisely and simply.
• Excellent leadership and management skills with sound decision-making and judgement.
• Demonstrable experience of managing and mentoring staff to excel at a senior level.
• Strong portfolio building and fundraising skills.
• Ability to deliver complex programming at pace and to budget, in evolving situations.
• Adept at working with diverse teams, delivering change and demonstrating value for money.
• Ability to influence others to achieve objectives and gain consensus and collaboration.
• Excellent presentation, communication and personal effectiveness skills.
Risks associated with the position and additional background information
The role also requires:
• Good understanding and grounding in the political economy and
centres of power and influence that may negatively or positively affect
implementation of projects and programmes across different regions,
sectors and industries in the continent and its regions.
• Good understanding of trade policy context and regional
integration in Africa and ability to postulate spillover effects that
particularly affect vulnerable groups in the environment.
• High acumen in detecting underlying influences and vested
interests that may pose reputational risk to TMA’s corporate identity,
programmes and partners.
• Good understanding of the dynamics affecting trade policy at
national, regional and global multilateral levels, as well as excellent
understanding of the multilateral trading systems and their implications
on regional integration.
• Significant knowledge of the trade and development needs of
developing countries, and a good understanding of trade policy, trade
facilitation, infrastructure and transport/logistics.
Read Also:
Sign off
Job holder name:
Signature: _______________
Date: _____________
Line Manager name:
Signature: _______________
Date: _____________
Counter-signing Quality Assuror (CQA) name:
Signature: _______________
Date: _____________
