Ministry of Trade: Job Opportunities in COMESA Secretariat

COMESA is a regional economic grouping in Africa currently with 19 member states.

The aspiration is to become a fully integrated internationally competitive regional economic community; a community within which there is economic prosperity demonstrated by high living standards of its people coupled with political and social stability and a community within which goods, capital and labour move freely across national geographical boarders.

COMESA is an equal opportunities employer seeking qualified candidates to fill in the following positions to be based in its headquarter Lusaka, Zambia.

Chief Internal Auditor (P4)

Purpose of the job

• To ensure compliance with laid down financial procedure, council decision and regulations.
• To monitor whether resources are being prudently managed
• To carry out value for money Audit

Key responsibilities

1. Prepare financial implementation manuals for the Secretariat;

2. Present management audit/reports of the Secretariat;

3. Initiate review and regularly update audit policies and systems for COMESA programmes and project centred funds;

4. Conduct all disbursement, transactions verifying their compliance with relevant legislation rules regulations and administrative decisions;

5. Audit the payroll verifying the accuracy of staff emoluments and deductions therefrom;

6. Responsible for:

(a) pre-payment audit of all disbursement transactions;

(b) verification of compliance of transactions with relevant legislation, rules and regulations and administrative decisions;

(c) reviewing, appraising and reporting upon:

(i) the soundness, adequacy and application of financial and other management controls;

(ii) the extent to which the organization’s assets are accounted for and safeguarded against losses arising from fraud, waste, extravagance and inefficient administration;

(iii) suitability and reliability of financial and other management data developed within the organization; and

(d) advising on controls to be incorporated into new or revised financial and accounting systems and procedures.

7. Carry out value for money Audits.

Qualification and Experience

• Internationally recognized professional accountancy qualifications e.g. ACCA and CIPFA
• At lease 10 years post qualification practical Audit experience at Senior Auditor level
• Computer Audit experience is necessary
• Fluency in English or French. Working knowledge of one of the other two languages would be an added advantage.

Legal Affairs Officer (P3)

Purpose of the job

Supporting the Legal Counsel in servicing various organs of COMESA including, the Court of Justice and all the Division of the Secretariat in interpretation and adherence to the Treaty.

Key responsibilities

Providing consistent interpretation and adherence to the Treaty Provisions and other legal matters in relation to COMESA.

Under the supervision of the Legal Counsel the incumbent of the post is required to perform the following duties:

(1) Assisting the Legal Counsel in drafting and scrutinizing Agreements, contracts and other legal instruments relating to the activities of COMESA by:

(a) studying the substance of these instruments in order to weed out any anomalies and vagueness;

(b) seeking clarity as to intentions; obligations, consequences etc. from the parties concerned;

(c) consulting relevant laws and legal references;

(d) preparing a preliminary draft;

(e) checking the draft with the Legal Counsel; and

(f) finalizing the draft.

(2) Assisting in rendering proper legal advice to COMESA’s Secretariat and Organs by:

(a) conduction background legal studies in order to bring out the legal issues involved;

(b) discussing with the Legal Counsel the legal ramifications or implications or intricacies of the issue involve; and

(c) preparing drafts on legal matters.

(3) Assisting in providing proper legal defence to COMESA Secretariat and organs in any litigation by:

(a) studying claims and positions of other parties;

(b) investigating points of fact;

(c) consulting legal references and pertinent laws;

(d) reviewing the applicability of legal provisions relating to immunities and privileges;

(e) rendering legal opinion upon direction of Legal Counsel;

(f) defending COMESA in court if necessary;

(g) teaming-up with any other lawyers or group of lawyers which COMESA may engage; and

(h) settling cases out of court if in the best interest of COMESA.

(4) Assisting in reviewing Treaty provisions and in preparing and harrnonizing Common Market legislations on Trade and Investments by:

(a) Liaising with the Legal Counsel;

(b) Exchanging views with the legal experts and advises of member countries;

(c) Interpreting the intention of COMESA’s organs when reviewing proposed amendments;

(d) Holding discussion with Trade and Investment experts;

(e) Consulting applicable laws which are in existence; and

(f) Preparing legal drafts.

Any other related duties that may be assigned by his/her superiors from time to time.

Qualification and Experience

• Basic Law degree from an internationally recognized University/Higher institutes of learning and admission as a Legal practitioner
• Post-graduate degree and/or specialization in international law
• International trade law or international economic law
• Legislative drafting is an advantage.
• A minimum of (8) years in practicing law either at national or international level
• Fluency in English or French. A working knowledge of the other is an advantage.

If you believe you meet the above requirement, please send your detailed CV together with a cover letter, email, telephone contacts and current contacts of three referees. To be considered, your application must be received by 27th July, 2009.

The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Trade
P 0 Box 30430 - 00100
Nairobi

Attention: Richard 0. Sindiga, HSC

Email: rsindiga @ trade.go.ke or njukimwa @ yahoo.com