Research and technical assistance Unit for the Trade development Co-operation Agreement facility (TDCA-F) in South Africa
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen relations between the European Union and South Africa.
The TDCA has two main components:
- Sectoral Policy Dialogue and Co-operation and
- Capacity Building
Under the Sectoral Policy Dialogue and Co-operation Activities, the project aims to enhance the quality of dialogues by funding preparatory meetings/conferences, research, data gathering, information dissemination and awareness in areas of promise which are hitherto low-key or at an embryonic stage. The Dialogue Facility will have a fund that will be used for small, demand-driven research or information dissemination projects (grants or service contract) by different institutions that are not exclusively governmental in nature, but could also include academics, the media and other non-state actors. It will support projects that will generally be of less than one year duration and which can be implemented quickly.
Capacity Building component will allow for a number of initiatives to be undertaken in the identified and agreed areas - a non-exhaustive list of sectors/themes to be addressed includes:
- Trade and the Strengthening of Customs Administration
- Environment
- Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Standards
- Energy
- Migration
- Employment and Social Affairs,
- Combating Crime
- Information and communication technologies (ICT).
The project is aimed at assisting the Beneficiary in the implementation of the TDCA project, and in particular achieving the following results:
- an improved sectoral policy dialogue and co-operation between the EU and South Africa
- an increased institutional capacity to help implement the areas of co-operation of the TDCA and the strategic Partnership Action Plan
- a communication and information dissemination
- an efficient and effective programme management all through the duration of the programme.
The project will therefore provide a range of technical cooperation services to this end.
The activities foreseen are as follows:
- provide technical expertise to implement all actions foreseen in the Financing agreement (FA) as well as administrative, preparatory and ancillary tasks relating to planning, implementing, monitoring, reporting on project components, procurement, and financial management
- assist in the establishment or operation of the Programme steering committee (PSC)
- facilitate in the identification of initiatives to be funded
- build capacity within departments involved in dialogues
- assist in the grant process and
- support and assist with communication tasks and visibility of the programme.
The team members are expected to have experience in international policy, international relations and co-operation. In addition, the following technical skills would be preferred:
- Trade/economics: familiarity with the EU regional and bilateral trade and investment agreements and other initiatives such as Economic Partnership Agreements;
- Understanding and experience in areas related to social and economic issues of middle-income countries
- Knowledge of trends in technical issues identified in this programme, such as migration, crime, education, climate change, energy and/or ICT
Position 1: Team Leader, Chief Technical Advisor (CTA)
Duration of the project: 30 months
Requirements:
Qualifications and skills
- University degree (master's degree) in the field of economics, or international trade or political science or equivalent
- conceptual and analytical skills on trade-related issues
- excellent communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations
- Fluent in written and oral English and must be computer literate.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to perform efficiently under pressure and tight deadlines.
General professional experience
- preferably 10 years of quality and relevant experience, with a minimum of 5 years
- knowledge and experience of EU external co-operation mechanisms and of EU sectoral policy is preferred
- knowledge of South African government and foreign policy would be an advantage
Specific professional experience
- Experience in supporting senior politicians and/or officials at national and international level
- at least 5 years in a senior management position
- Understanding of the basic structures of the EU institutions, especially the EC will be essential
- experience in management of EC-funded projects will be an advantage.
Position 2: Sector Dialogue Coordinator
Duration of the project: 30 months
Requirements:
Qualifications and skills
- University degree (master's degree) in the field of economics or public sector management, or equivalent
- good communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations
- Fluent in written and oral English and must be computer literate.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to perform efficiently under pressure and tight deadlines.
General professional experience
- preferably 10 years of professional experience in areas of economic and social development, or management, with a minimum of 5 years
- Knowledge of EU project modality and grant procedures will be an advantage
- Knowledge of South African government and foreign policy will be an advantage.
Specific professional experience
- Technical expertise in one or more sectors of the dialogue and cooperation would be a great advantage
- Ability to absorb technical issues in other sectors and get himself/herself effectively up to the speed of the dialogue in those sectors will be essential
- Experience in training would also be an advantage especially with respect to the development of training materials, hands-on training and facilitation of workshops.
Position 3: Finance, Contracts and Administrative expert
Duration of the project: 30 months
Requirements
Qualifications and skills
- University degree (master's degree) in the field of finance, financial management or equivalent
- He/she must have proven administration financial management skills and experience
- Fluent in written and oral English and must be computer literate.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to perform efficiently under pressure and tight deadlines.
General professional experience
- preferably 7 years experience in finance management, office administration and in the context of donor-funded projects
- high level of information and communication technologies (ICT) skills to support electronic filing systems, electronic book-keeping system.
Specific professional experience
- Demonstrated experience in organizing a number of different types of events;
- Experience of managing EU project modality and grant procedures would be an advantage
- Knowledge of and experience in working with the EU PRAG (for BUDGET Countries), specifically in terms of contracting and disbursement procedures will be an advantage
- Work experience in South Africa would be a distinct advantage.