TradeMark Africa - Non Executive Director, Board Member for ICT & Innovation

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2022

About TradeMark Africa

TradeMark Africa (TMA) (formerly trading as TradeMark East Africa) is an aid- for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TMA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, and United States of America.

TMA works closely with regional intergovernmental organisations, including the African Union (AU), East Africa Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.

TMA, with an annual expenditure of around US$100 million, is now the leading aid-for-trade facility in the world.

The first phase of TMA (2010-2018) delivered exceptional results which contributed to substantial gains in East Africa’s trade and regional integration in terms of reduced cargo transit times, improved border efficiency, and reduced barriers to trade. The second phase (2018- 2024) will focus on:

1. Reducing barriers to trade; and 2. Improving business competitiveness.

TMA believes this will deliver large-scale impact in job creation, poverty reduction and enhanced economic welfare.

TMA has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, with successful operations and offices in EAC-Arusha, Burundi (Bujumbura), Democratic Republic of Congo (Bukavu), Ethiopia (Addis-Ababa), Horn of Africa (Hargeisa), Malawi (Lilongwe), Rwanda (Kigali), South Sudan (Juba), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) and Uganda (Kampala).

The Role

Time commitment: Not likely to be less than 20 days a year on Board and Committee meetings, plus additional time spent on representational duties.

Remuneration: USD 20,000 per annum

Location: Flexible with occasional travel for Board meetings and occasional visits to countries in which TMA operates.

TradeMark Africa is seeking a dynamic and visionary individual with ICT innovation expertise, strategic leadership experience, professional networks and regional influence to join TMA’s Board as a NonExecutive Director. The Board oversees the strategy, policy, and direction of TMA to facilitate the achievement of its mission, objectives, and impact. This will include active participation in the

Board and its committees, performing non-executive duties, and exercising the powers and functions which the Board may assign to the Board Member.

TMA has recently recruited a number of Non-Executive Directors but is seeking additional Non-Executive Directors with expertise in ICT innovation and the role of information technology to facilitate trade and regional integration.

Responsibilities

• Understand and demonstrate a commitment to TMA’s vision, mission, objectives, and operations, and keep up to date with issues and trends that may affect the organisation.

• Through regular engagement with TMA’s donors, understand the context in which TMA and its donors operate, in particular, appreciate the strategic role of the TMA Council and the public interest in the effective use of development assistance.

• Undertake representational duties as necessary including participating in key strategic events and engaging with senior donor officials and key regional stakeholders.

• Actively participate in Board and designated Board committee meetings including preparing for these meetings by studying documents, agreements and other papers provided.

• Review TMA Strategy, TMA Business Plan and policies and ensure that TMA operates in a manner that is consistent with the TMA Constitution, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure the effective management of TMA’s risk profile.

• Accept fiduciary and other responsibilities as required by companies’ legislation.

Responsibilities

• Understand and monitor the organisation’s financial affairs, including adoption and oversight of annual budgets.

• Work with TMA’s CEO and management to identify new investment opportunities especially in ICT innovation in support of TMA’s strategy.

• Establish and maintain an effective, independent and respected presence and a collegial relationship with other Board Members.

• Maintain objectivity and independence, be aware of and avoid any potential conflict of interest and maintain confidentiality of information.

• Support the Chair of the Board in fulfilling his/her responsibilities, including closely collaborating with the TMA Council, the various National Oversight Committees (NOCs) and the Programme Coordinating Committee of EAC (PCC).

• Monitor the performance of the TMA management team, their execution of strategy, policies and plans and management of resources.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Skills and experience

• Expertise in technology and innovation in Africa.

• Experience leading a business across Africa that focuses on the use of information technology to improve business processes.

• Knowledge applicable to automation of key trade processes and systems

• Knowledge of regional integration and the ICT – trade nexus would be an added advantage.

Work experience

• A minimum of 10 years’ management experience (including five at a Senior Director level) in an area relevant to TMA’s operations

• Professional experience and geographic expertise acquired in one or more of the countries in which TMA operates.

• Proven intellectual and strategic thinking skills.

• Strong strategy formulation and implementation skills including the ability to communicate strategy and results concisely and simply.

• Excellent leadership and management skills.

Additional Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain strong collaborative partnerships/ relationships with development partners, high ranking government officials, civil society and private sector organisations.

• Adept at working with diverse teams, delivering change and demonstrating value for money.

• Ability to influence others to achieve objectives and gain consensus and collaboration.

• Sound decision-making and judgment capabilities.

• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.

• Excellent presentation, communication and personal effectiveness skills.

To ensure gender balance and pan-African representation in the Board, women and nationals from West Africa are particularly encouraged to apply

Terms of Service

This appointment will be for three years. Appointments are renewable once for a further 3 years, subject to satisfactorily completing annual performance reviews.

TMA will reimburse all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in the performance of official duties in accordance with approved organisational policies. TMA will also meet the cost of flights for

attendance to meetings, pay for hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis and provide a per diem to cover meals and other incidental expenses. Board meetings will be held quarterly, and committee meetings will be held in conjunction with full Board meetings as required.

The performance of Board Members shall be reviewed by the Council on an annual basis.

How to Apply

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter in two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV102022-TMA or Pat-Jones-CoverLetter102022-TMA

Timeline

Closing date: 9th November 2022

First stage interviews: Week of 18th November 2022

Final panel interviews: Week of 5 December 2022

Equality statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of TradeMark Africa’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Selection process

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at trademarkafrica@oxfordhr.co.ke ` in the first instance.

About Oxford HR

Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.