Customs Project Officer – EU-EAC CORE Programme February 2024

Customs Project Officer – EU-EAC CORE Programme February 2024 new job opportunities in Tanzania vacancy. The East African Community is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising the Republic of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Rwanda, Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania with its Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC mission is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

Ajira EAC

East African Community (EAC) – the European Union (EU) CORE programme is financed under the 11^th European Development Fund (EDF) and has an overall objective to support the deepening of the EAC regional economic integration, through advancing implementation of the Customs Union and the Common Market Protocols. The EU-EAC CORE Programme is a multi-donor Action, co-financed by the EU as well as by the EAC Secretariat. The EU-EAC CORE Programme will be implemented through two main implementation modalities: a) Indirect management with the EAC Secretariat, through procurement of services and supplies via an International Restricted Tender (IRT) procedure for Services; b) Indirect management with the EAC Secretariat, through Programme Estimates.

The programme covers 3 specific objectives as below:

Customs

The program focuses on moving towards a fully-fledged Customs Union, by supporting more robust  ICT based data exchange protocols for the clearing of goods as well as related regional customs functions (like risk management and valuation), appropriate processes for the involvement of other agencies i.e. standards, health etc. as well as a stronger coordination and monitoring role of the EAC Secretariat.

Trade in Services

The program  focuses on the Common Market, with the aim of providing new impetus to promoting free movement of services, a crucial building block for the creation of a well-functioning common market. Specifically, It aims to achieve improved implementation of agreed EAC commitments on liberalisation of services;

Institutional

The program aims on reinforcing the capacity of the EAC Secretariat to deliver its overall mandate by improving project management and reinforcing the use of internationally accepted standards as per EU Pillars for entrusting third parties with budget implementation tasks.

The East African Community Secretariat seeks to recruit a highly motivated, result-driven, and qualified professional from citizens of the Republic of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania to fill the following position tenable at the EAC Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania.

CUSTOMS PROJECT OFFICER FOR THE EU-EAC CORE PROGRAMME (1 post) (REF:  EAC/HR/2022-23/03)

GRADE:                    P3

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To support the Programme Coordinator with the implementation of the EU – EAC CORE programme, in relation to the management of the Customs component as well as to the overall CORE Programme management and coordination.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support management of the Customs component

The staff will undertake the following activities:

• Liaise, coordinate, and support meetings and activities of the technical teams (EAC Secretariat, Partner State agencies, and consultants) participating in the delivery of outputs for the Customs component.
• Facilitate easy post-implementation stages for Customs Interconnectivity Integration Solution and related systems and frameworks, including testing, acceptance/validation, and sustainability.
• Ensure timely mobilization of funds – under the Programme Estimate – for the Customs component’s implementation, with a focus on complementarity with activities carried out by various service providers.
• Support activity planning, monitor, and report on custom component activities.

2. Support CORE Programme coordination

The incumbent will assist with the smooth implementation, coordination, and advancement of horizontal processes for the entire programme (i.e., all components)

• Liaise with EAC staff working in the CORE program, especially to ensure collaboration with the Trade in Services component.
• Coordinate the drafting of shared yearly CORE work programmes.
• Monitor project progress (including the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation plan and procedures), establish deadlines, and resolve issues for the CORE Programme’s core components.
• Prepare frequent, consolidated progress reports on the CORE Programme’s execution.
• Prepare periodic financial status reports for the CORE Programme, estimating money utilization in collaboration with EAC Secretariat imprest (funds) administrators and accountants.
• Organize and facilitate meetings of the Steering Committee CORE Programme, which will be held jointly by the EAC Secretariat, Partner States, and the European Union (EU), as well as the programme’s Technical Committee.
• Support program visibility (including developing a Communication and Visibility plan).
• Ensure stakeholder satisfaction by providing regular updates and feedback.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

1. A master’s degree in economics, law, business administration, international trade, or a similar discipline. A postgraduate qualification in project management and planning is an extra benefit.
2. At least ten years of relevant experience, mostly in customs, commerce, and regional integration, with at least five years at the senior level.
3. Experience working with similar organizations or institutions, as well as project management and planning, will be advantageous.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCES:

1. Excellent technical and analytical skills for assessing customs and trade concerns.
2. Fluent in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili and French is desirable. Excellent verbal, writing, and presenting abilities.
3. Excellent organizational skills, the capacity to manage various tasks without sacrificing quality, and team building abilities.
4. Computer savvy with experience with Microsoft Outlook and Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
5. Strong interpersonal and communication abilities; negotiation skills; and the ability to work together in a varied context.

Specific Terms and Conditions of Service

This is a non-established position supported by the European Union under the EU-EAC CORE Programme, with contract terms of four (4) years and a six-month trial period.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants for the above post must be from the Republic of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Uganda, or the United Republic of Tanzania.

Education Qualifications 

All applicants must have qualifications recognized by the applicable national accreditation authority in their Partner State. This condition is relevant to both locally and globally obtained qualifications.

Relevant Working Experience 

Internship, training and apprenticeship will not be considered as relevant work experience. 

Equal Opportunity

The EAC is an equal opportunity employer; therefore, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. EAC will only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the qualification and experience requirements for the above mentioned position are advised to:

• Fill in the application form attached (download from here);
• attach their application letter, a detailed CV, Copies of   certified academic certificates, and a copy of National Identity Card or Passport in PDF format scanned in one (1) file. 
• Please quote the respective reference number on both the application letter and envelope.
• For electronic submission, please quote the respective reference number on the subject of the email and send to the address given below. 

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Applications should be submitted to the address below not later than    Friday, 15^th March 2024.

Please note:

1. You may submit your application either electronically or in hard copy but not both.

2. All Applications MUST STRICTLY:

• have EAC application form, CV, application letter, ID ;
• indicate nationality and age;
• have the job reference number;
• have certified copies of their academic degrees and other professional
• Certificates;
• provide referees.

3. Only qualified candidates will be contacted

4. EAC Staff Rules and Regulations preclude considerations of applicants above 55 years of age.

Please be aware that EAC does not require candidates to pay for the recruitment process. Applicants who have already applied for this position must resubmit their applications. All invitations to interviews will be in writing.

Successful candidates will undergo due diligence on their academic certifications (from a recognized higher education authority in their respective Partner States) and job histories.