Policy Officer – Trade: Local Agent Group 1 at Delegation of the European Union to Kenya

Main objectives:

Under the overall authority of the Head of Delegation, assist the Head of the Trade Section in the planning and coordination of the Delegation's work on trade and investment matters.

Main tasks:

Policy coordination

• Follow all issues regarding the implementation and impact monitoring of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) at national and regional level. Follow other agreements pertaining to trade and investment. Monitor the host country/region's position in on-going or planned multilateral, regional, or bilateral trade negotiations with third countries (UN, WTO, FTAs, etc.).
• Monitor the situation and track the evolution of policies in the economic and trade fields of the host country and region. Particular attention will be paid to trade flows, forecasts, market access measures, and legislation in these fields: fiscal policy, tax system, financial services, land ownership regime, intellectual property rights, competition, foreign investment, etc.
• Follow all national and regional trade policy developments and their possible impact on the trade relations with the EU. Follow up of trade relation with the host country/region and particularly issues related to access by EU exporters and investors to its market (Market Access Strategy).
• Monitor regional integration matters in connection with trade, in particular with reference to the EAC.
• Support the identification of measures accompanying EPA implementation and monitoring, in Kenya and the region.
• Produce analysis and synthesis reports on the economic situation and policies, trade, investment, and trade-related issues.

Representation, negotiation and participation

• Provide the necessary working relations with the relevant national authorities (Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, and other ministries involved in trade activities, Customs service, Statistical and Standards Office, etc.), private sector representatives and professional organizations and other local operators in the field. Develop close working contacts with representatives of EU Member State embassies in Kenya (i.e. economic and trade counsellors) and EU business community and representatives. Liaise with other regional and international organizations dealing with trade issues and/or regional integration, in particular the EAC.
• Prepare and participate in EPA implementation or joint EPA committee meetings.
• Participate in the sector policy dialogue related to trade and investment. Participate in donor cooperation efforts as regards trade and regional integration analysis and policies.
• State, explain and defend the EU trade policies and EU position in all trade and WTO matters to domestic stakeholders, particularly local and regional authorities, press, civil society, business and academics. Promote and defend the Commission position on investment following the Lisbon Treaty, including vis-à-vis EU Member States and their local presence.
• Represent the EU and participate in conferences, meetings and other public events on trade and investment matters.
• Promote the mainstreaming of trade and economic integration into the poverty reduction strategies of the host country/region.

Management and planning

• Assist the Head of Trade Section in programming and organizing activities by the Delegation in connection with economy, trade and investment.
• Prepare and participate in missions from Headquarters.

Communication and publication

• Ensure that the information and communication function on trade and investment of the Delegation is properly carried out. Contribute to the Delegation's Press and Information activities and products with respect to trade, investment, and regional integration issues.
• In the host country/region, represent the EU and participate in conferences, meetings and other public events on trade and investment matters and more generally present EU policies and activities as necessary. Prepare activities in the trade and investment sector and organize, as appropriate, events related to trade and investment.
• Liaise with the other Delegation's sections or experts dealing with Economic and Financial issues, Trade Facilitation, Infrastructure, Private Sector, etc.
• Provide expert policy advice and provide input, where required, into the work of Delegation's project managers on the setting-up or implementation of trade-related cooperation projects.
• Contribute to the Delegation's various reports as regards trade, investment, economy and regional integration matters.
• Liaise with the EU Delegations in the region on regional trade and investment issues or in connection to EPA implementation or accession by other countries, and contribute to regional reporting on trade and trade related issues.
• The workplace is Nairobi, for an unlimited duration contract, subject to six months’ probation and it is open to Kenya nationals and residents with a valid work permit. We offer a competitive position in a lively and multicultural environment. Full time of 37.5 hours per week (under flexible time regime), and remunerated according to a salary table in shillings (basic minimum 449,467KES), including a supplementary pension scheme and medical insurance, offered to employees and their families under certain conditions.

Degree and experience required

• University degree of legal duration of at least 3 years in Economics/Business Administration/Trade/Finances or any other related field.
• Experience of at least 3 years in the areas of economics, macro-economics and trade related matters (EU and/or WTO) at institutional level, analysis and reporting; experience in third countries (Embassy, International organisation, NGO, etc.); knowledge of EU institutions, related decisional processes, EU external action and related EU external policies (geographic and thematic); experience in geographic area in question and relevant regional integration processes (eligibility).

Language qualifications

• Excellent written and spoken English (working language). Knowledge in French an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills.