Programme Manager, Standards, SPS and Non-Tariff Barriers GGSP-CALAO

Job Description

Job summary

TradeMark Africa (TMA) is embarking on a transformative EU-funded programme (GGSP-CALAO) focusing on the Abidjan–Lagos and Abidjan–Ouagadougou corridors, under a consortium with EU member state agencies. A central component of GGSP-CALAO, led by TMA, is the Trade Facilitation component, which aims to address persistent non-tariff barriers (NTBs), harmonise standards and technical regulations, and create a seamless cross-border trade environment.

The Programme Manager, Standards, SPS and Non-Tariff Barriers will play a pivotal role in implementing TMA’s interventions, focusing on the identification, monitoring, and resolution of NTBs, as well as advancing the harmonisation of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical standards across corridor countries. This role demands proactive engagement with national and regional institutions (Ministries of Trade, Customs, Standards Bodies, ECOWAS, UEMOA, and the AFCFTA Secretariat), as well as close collaboration with the private sector and civil society to address real-world constraints to trade.
The jobholder will provide technical expertise, operational support, and stakeholder coordination to ensure that NTB reduction efforts and standards harmonisation translate into measurable outcomes, such as faster border crossings, reduced costs for traders, and increased competitiveness for small-scale traders, particularly women traders. S/he will work closely with TMA’s Programme Manager and other technical teams to ensure that the programme’s objectives are achieved on time and to a high standard, while ensuring alignment with TMA’s Corporate Strategy III and Results Framework. The role directly contributes to TMA’s Portfolio 2 – Quality, Safety and Value of Traded Goods, supporting outcomes related to improved compliance with SPS and standards, reduced NTBs, and enhanced competitiveness for corridor traders, particularly MSMEs and women-led businesses.

Roles and responsibilities

Technical Leadership in Standards, SPS and NTBs projects

• Lead the design and implementation of activities that directly contribute to the reduction of NTBs along the Abidjan–Lagos and Abidjan–Ouagadougou corridors.
• Facilitate structured dialogue mechanisms between public and private stakeholders to identify and resolve priority NTBs, leveraging existing platforms such as National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs).
• Support the operationalisation of digital NTB reporting and resolution systems, ensuring that they are accessible, transparent, and responsive.
• Coordinate the harmonisation of technical regulations, standards, and SPS measures between corridor countries, ensuring alignment with regional (ECOWAS, UEMOA) and continental (AFCFTA) frameworks.
• Support the development and implementation of Mutual Recognition and Equivalence Agreements on quality certification, food safety, and veterinary standards, including platforms for transparency and information exchange.
• Oversee assessments of laboratory capacity and facilitate investments to improve testing, certification, and compliance services.
• Provide technical guidance for the training and sensitisation of companies but also of small-scale traders, women entrepreneurs, and SMEs on compliance with quality and SPS standards, ensuring their inclusion in formal trade systems.
• Promote the application of risk-based approaches in SPS inspections, conformity assessment, and border control systems to improve efficiency and reduce transaction costs.
• Strengthen voluntary compliance mechanisms, including Q-Mark certification schemes, private standards, and industry codes, to promote market-driven adoption of quality and SPS standards.

Programme Delivery and Project Management

• Contribute to the planning, budgeting, and implementation of GGSP-CALAO activities under the Trade Facilitation Pillar, ensuring adherence to EU and TMA programme management standards.
• Support the Programme Managers in preparing narrative and financial reports for submission to the EU and other partners.
• Develop work plans, TORs, and technical specifications for consultancies and service providers related to NTBs and standards/SPS interventions.
• Ensure that project activities are informed by robust evidence and align with lessons learned from other TMA programmes across Africa.
• Monitor risks and constraints to implementation, proposing and executing mitigating measures where needed.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Maintain regular contact with key national stakeholders, including border authorities, ministries of trade, standardisation agencies, border management committees, and private-sector associations.
• Represent TMA in technical working groups and bilateral/multilateral dialogue forums on NTBs, standards/SPS, and trade facilitation.
• Strengthen partnerships with ECOWAS and UEMOA technical departments, ensuring that GGSP-CALAO’s outputs contribute to regional strategies on trade and standards harmonisation.
• Collaborate with the private sector and civil society organisations to ensure that NTB resolution and standards reforms respond to market needs and promote inclusive trade.
• Support capacity development of regulatory and quality infrastructure institutions (e.g., NRAs, NPPOs, food safety authorities, standards bodies), in collaboration with ECOWAS and UEMOA.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Sharing

• Monitor progress against NTB and standards-related indicators under GGSP-CALAO’s Results Framework, providing evidence-based inputs for performance reviews.
• Document lessons learned and success stories from NTB and standards initiatives, contributing to TMA’s knowledge products and communication outputs.
• Support the development of policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical recommendations on NTBs, SPS, and quality infrastructure.
• Contribute to cross-learning initiatives within TMA, ensuring that best practices from East and Southern Africa are adapted and applied in West Africa.
• Promote data-driven decision-making through real-time dashboards, trader feedback loops, and NTB resolution analytics to improve programme performance and corridor efficiency.

Teamwork and Communication for Impact

• Work closely with TMA technical teams (trade facilitation, customs, infrastructure, monitoring and evaluation) and HQ departments to ensure technical excellence, alignment with corporate strategy, and effective programme delivery.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across TMA’s West Africa teams to maximise programme synergies and cross-learning.
• Lead the preparation of impactful communication materials (progress reports, success stories, presentations) highlighting results and lessons learned to enhance TMA’s visibility with the EU and other donors.

Academic and professional qualifications

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in International Trade, Economics, Law, Quality and Standards Management, or a related field.
• Professional certifications or specialised training in trade facilitation, NTB management, or SPS/technical standards would be an added advantage.

Work experience

• For undergraduate degree holders at least 10 years and postgraduate at least 8 years of progressive experience in trade facilitation, NTB resolution, SPS regulations, or standards harmonisation.
• A minimum of three years of management experience is mandatory.
• Demonstrated track record of working with national and regional institutions (e.g., border agencies, standards bodies, ECOWAS, UEMOA) and private-sector stakeholders.
• Experience in managing or supporting donor-funded programmes, preferably with EU or multilateral partners.
• Experience in cross-border trade contexts, particularly involving SMEs and informal traders, is highly desirable.

Fluency in English and French is required for this role.

About the Organization

TradeMark Africa (TMA), formerly TradeMark East Africa), is an Aid-for-Trade organisation that was established in 2010, with the aim of growing prosperity through increased trade. TMA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by: Belgium, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. TMA works closely with regional intergovernmental organisations, including the African Union (AU), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the East Africa Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), national Governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.

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