Agriculture Economist Job at COMESA

JOB TITLE: Agriculture Economist

GRADE: Professional, Level 3 (P3)

SALARY SCALE:    COM$ 42,239 – COM$ 51916 per annum plus allowances

DIVISION: Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development

REPORTING TO: Director, Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Initiating ideas which when implemented will develop Agriculture; improve food security situation as well as increase production and trade of Agricultural commodities in the COMESA region.

TASKS

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development, and the general guidance of the Assistant Secretary General (Programmes) the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Assist in implementing the provisions of the COMESA Treaty and Protocols relating to Co-operation in Agricultural and Rural Development Sector.
• Assist member States in promotion of agricultural development that would lead to the production of surpluses in food, the establishment of adequate storage facilities and strategic grain reserves;
• Assist member States in prevention of pre-and post-harvest losses;
• Assist member States to implement programmes in the livestock, forestry and fisheries subsectors.
• Promote the harmonization of policies, strategies and regulation relating to phyto-sanitary and sanitary measures without impending the export of crops, plants, seeds, livestock, livestock-products, fish and fishery products;
• Assist in the development of agro-industries by fostering strong linkages between agriculture and industry;
• Assist member States in the promotion of a conducive and enabling environment for the achievement of food security;
• Mobilize resources for the implementation of projects in agriculture;
• Assist in promoting the region as a destination for investment in agriculture;
• Keep abreast with changes taking place at the World Trade Organization, and other multi-lateral agencies, in the area of agricultural policy (including intellectual property rights and bio-technology issues) and analyse the effects these proposals will have on agriculture development in the region; and
• Any other related duties that may be assigned to you by the Director of in Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development or the Assistant Secretary General (Programes) from time to time.

EDUCATION

At least a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics or related field. A Ph. D degree in Agricultural Economics would be an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of ten (10) years experience working in the field of agriculture either in the private sector or the public sector or both, as well as regional and international organisations.

WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Must be fluent in English and/or French and/or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two or all of these languages will be an added advantage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Applicants must be citizens of COMESA Member States.

FINAL DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS

Applications MUST be submitted through the Coordinating Ministries of the respective member States on the prescribed COMESA APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed on the COMESA website: http://www.comesa.int/,

Applications submitted directly to the Secretariat will not be considered and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Accordingly, short-listing reports from the Coordinating Ministries attaching all the relevant documents of the successful candidates should reach the address below by Friday, 27th June, 2014:

The Director of Administration
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
COMESA Centre,
Ben Bella Road,
P.O Box 30051,
Lusaka
Zambia
Email: recruitment@comesa.int