Job Summary
TMA is seeking to attract dynamic and visionary individuals with a deep understanding of trade facilitation issues on the African continent, extensive development sector networks, continental
influence, and previous Board experience to join TMA’s Board. This role involves contributing to strategic direction, engaging with senior political stakeholders across the continent, and providing oversight of organisational performance and risk management. Non-Executive Directors will also participate actively in quarterly Board and Committee meetings as well as engagements with other governance bodies (the Council and the Chairs of the National Oversight Committees) and carry out responsibilities delegated by the Board.
The Board, in partnership with the senior leadership team, is crucial to TMA’s success in supporting the aspirations of Africa through the AfCFTA, Regional Economic Communities and national Governments to drive faster growth in trade volumes and to support linkages between regions across the continent. With the expansion of TMA’s previous core operational area of Eastern Africa to West Africa, Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa, the focus on reducing barriers to trade and improving business competitiveness will continue to be a core element of tackling the trade challenges of the future as TMA pivots towards digitalization of trade processes, creating green trade corridors and supporting enhancements in implementing trade policy.
TMA is interested in candidates with experience in development programming, a deep understanding of trade facilitation and trade dynamics, and strong high-level continental networks. Candidates with experience in operating in Francophone and Southern African contexts are encouraged to apply.
Candidate(s) Profiles
TMA is seeking suitable candidates with one or more of the following attributes;
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a leading African Aid-for-Trade organisation founded in 2010, with a mission to grow intra-African trade, increase Africa’s share in global trade, and make trade more pro-poor and environmentally sustainable. TMA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by: Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, the Gates Foundation, Ireland, the Mastercard Foundation, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. TMA works closely with regional and continental organisations, national Governments, the private sector, and civil society.
Since its inception, TMA has contributed significant progress in trade facilitation and economic integration across East Africa and the Horn, including a reduction of 16.5% in cargo transit times on the Northern Corridor from Mombasa to Bujumbura, and an average 70% reduction in border crossing times at selected one stop border posts. Today, TMA operates in 14 countries across East, West and Southern Africa as well as the Horn. Registration is underway in a further six countries.
In 2022, TMA set up a catalytic finance company – Trade Catalyst Africa – to pilot commercially viable projects in trade infrastructure (both physical and digital) and to expand access to trade finance for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Both TCA and TMA are headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Country and regional offices are in: Arusha (EAC Secretariat), Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, and Uganda, with operations in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, Togo and Zambia, and Zimbabwe. For more information, please visit www.trademarkafrica.com
