Principal Officer, Trade in Services

About this role

The AfCFTA Secretariat is seeking a Principal Officer for Trade in Services to support the operationalisation and advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement across member states. This full-time role is based at the Secretariat headquarters in Accra, Ghana, and sits within the institutional framework responsible for coordinating the implementation of the AfCFTA across the continent. The Trade in Services division is one of the core thematic pillars of the AfCFTA, alongside trade in goods, dispute settlement, and customs and trade facilitation. The Principal Officer will contribute to the development and harmonisation of services trade policies, protocols, and frameworks under the AfCFTA, working closely with state and non-state parties to remove barriers to services trade and promote investment across African markets.

Core responsibilities include analysing services trade trends and opportunities, supporting the negotiation and implementation of services commitments, providing technical guidance to member states, and engaging with continental and international stakeholders on services trade matters. The role requires a deep understanding of international trade in services frameworks, including the General Agreement on Trade in Services and regional trade arrangements, as well as familiarity with Africa's economic landscape and development priorities. Candidates are expected to hold an advanced degree in international trade, economics, law, or a related discipline, with substantial professional experience in trade policy, negotiation, or services sector analysis. Prior engagement with African Union institutions, regional economic communities, or multilateral trade bodies is highly advantageous.

The AfCFTA Secretariat serves as the administrative and coordinating body for the agreement, which aims to create a single continental market for goods and services across 54 African Union member states. Remuneration and benefits are competitive and benchmarked against international standards for multilateral institutions. Applications should be submitted through the official AfCFTA careers portal, with all required documentation and references provided before the advertised closing date.