Job Description

TRADEMARK AFRICA
TradeMark Africa, formerly TradeMark East Africa, is a leading African Aid-for-Trade organisation that was
established in 2010, with the aim to grow intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share in global trade, while helping
make trade more pro-poor and environmentally sustainable.
TradeMark Africa (TMA), operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by: Canada, Denmark, the European Union,
Finland, France, Ireland, the MasterCard Foundation, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation. TMA works closely with regional and continental inter-governmental organisations,
national Governments, the private sector, and civil society.
Since its inception, TMA has delivered substantial gains for trade and regional economic integration in East Africa
and the Horn of Africa, including a reduction of 16.5% in cargo transit times on the Northern Corridor from Mombasa
to Bujumbura, and a reduction of an average of 70% in the time taken to cross selected one stop border posts. TMA
officially launched its continental-wide shift and rebrand in West Africa in January 2023, with Ghana being the first
country of operations in the region.
In 2022, TMA set up a catalytic finance company – Trade Catalyst Africa – that will pilot commercially viable projects
for creating trade infrastructure (both physical and digital) as well as increasing access to Trade Finance for Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Both TCA’s and TMA's headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya. Offices are in: EAC Secretariat - Arusha, Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, and Uganda, with
operations in Mozambique, South Sudan and Zambia. For more information, please visit www.trademarkafrica.com
BACKGROUND
TMA is focused on supporting the Governments in the Horn of Africa to provide a diverse and competitive set of
corridors. This includes the main Djibouti corridor, the Berbera corridor, and the LAPSETT corridor. These corridors
are in different stages of development and require bespoke support to help gradually increasing trade volumes and
aligned with Ethiopia’s port diversification policy (i.e. using latent capacity at Berbera Lamu/Mombasa ports). TMA
is collaborating with other donors, including several EU Member States, and preparing a proposal with the EU under
the Global Gateway Initiative. The Global Gateway Initiative focuses on Trade and Transport Facilitation measures
and develops instruments (grants and blended solutions) to deliver connectivity and facilitating trade. The Trade and
Transport Facilitation aspects seek to address the physical and non-physical barriers to trade; those that hamper
intra-African trade. Attention is also given to small-scale and informal cross-border trade which makes up a
substantial proportion of intra-regional trade in Africa. This delivers income generation, job creation and food
security for many poor households and where women tend to be overrepresented.
TMA is also delivering a new programme financed by Sweden. This programme is known as SWIFT - Swedish Initiative
for Facilitating Trade in Africa. The overarching impact of the SWIFT programme is to foster inclusive, sustainable
economic growth by increasing international, regional, and exports along these corridors. The programme outcomes
are designed to:
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✓ Improve Trade Policy and Digitalization of Trade Systems: This involves the harmonisation and simplification of
trade policies, supported by the deployment of digital solutions. By streamlining customs procedures and
enhancing transparency, SWIFT will reduce non-tariff barriers and expedite the movement of goods and services
across borders.
✓ Improve Physical Trade Infrastructure: Key investments in infrastructure, such as upgrading ports, roads, and
border facilities, will reduce transit times and costs. These improvements are vital for the competitiveness of the
selected corridors and supporting the efficient flow of trade.
✓ Improve Trade Inclusivity: Ensuring the benefits of trade are accessible to all, especially women, youth, and
marginalised communities. SWIFT prioritises the development of gender-responsive infrastructure and policies,
ensuring the programme's benefits are equitably distributed.
✓ SWIFT builds ongoing initiatives by TMA and its development partners: This integrated approach will ensure that
SWIFT's interventions are impactful and sustainable in the long term.
The main focus of SWIFT in the second year of delivery is working at the border crossing with Ethiopia at Tog Wajaale
which has suffered from limited investments and rudimentary cross border services being provided. The challenge
ahead is to work with local and regional authorities on the hard and soft infrastructure (e.g., bridge enhancement,
simplified trade regime) to provide the services to facilitate cross border trade in the most efficient manner.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this assignment is to provide strategic leadership, authoritative representation, and highimpact programme delivery for TradeMark Africa (TMA) in Somaliland, ensuring that TMA’s investments advance
trade facilitation, corridor competitiveness, and regional integration in line with organisational priorities.
The specific objectives are to:
1. Strengthen High-Level Government and Stakeholder Influence
Build and sustain strategic relationships with senior Government officials in Somaliland and Ethiopia, development
partners, and the private sector to drive policy reforms, unlock bottlenecks, and position TMA as a trusted partner
in trade facilitation.
2. Drive Effective and Timely Programme Implementation
Lead the execution of TMA programmes including SWIFT through rigorous planning, strong oversight, proactive
problem-solving, and tight coordination with HQ and regional teams to ensure delivery of measurable, high-quality
results.
3. Re-establish the Berbera Corridor as a Priority Trade Gateway
Champion efforts to increase the visibility, efficiency, and utilisation of the Berbera corridor by coordinating border
improvements at Tog Wajaale, mobilising stakeholders, and ensuring the corridor is effectively repositioned on the
Horn of Africa trade map.
4. Accelerate Resource Mobilisation and Donor Engagement
Refresh and operationalise the Somaliland fundraising strategy; actively engage TMA’s donor partners; and identify
new funding opportunities including non-traditional donors to secure sustainable financing for TMA’s Somaliland
portfolio.
5. Ensure Robust Reporting, Accountability, and Learning
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Deliver high-quality monthly, quarterly, and final reports; strengthen results frameworks; and ensure full
transparency with senior leadership and the NOC Chair, reinforcing TMA’s commitment to performance and
accountability.
6. Shape the Design of Future TMA and EU Programmes
Provide strategic insights and contextual expertise to guide the development of new TMA interventions, including
the EU programme for the Horn of Africa, ensuring alignment with TMA’s regional strategy and evidence-based
prioritisation.
SCOPE OF WORK
TMA is looking to contract an individual to represent TMA in Somaliland and the wider region as the work demands.
The position required is a Programme Coordinator which includes both representational and programmatic
functions.
Representational duties
i. Establish strong contacts with the Office of the Presidency, Ministries of Finance and Trade, and other
Ministries, Departments, and Agencies that interact with trade matters.
ii. Support Somaliland’s governance and policy development regarding the Berbera corridor’s logistical
efficiency goal.
iii. Facilitate re-establishment of a joint border – Tog Wajaale border coordination committee as set up to
respond to C-19 with flexibility to include new stakeholders as may be determined and agreed upon by key
stakeholders.
iv. Engage with the Ethiopian authorities in the Somali Regional State to understand private and public sector
limitations on corridor usage and explore gradual increases in the products that can be imported and
exported via Berbera.
v. Explore the interim Transit agreement and ways to utilize it further whilst being mindful of the political
sensitivities.
vi. Strengthening working relations with Dubai Ports World.
vii. Fundamentally get the Berbera port and corridor and back on the trade facilitation map in the Horn.
viii. Manage and oversee all TMA visits into Somaliland, especially VIP visits.
Fundraising duties
i. Revise the Somaliland fund raising plan in light of changing geopolitics in the region.
ii. Establish a structured engagement plan with TMA donors in Hargeisa and Nairobi and consider options to
draw in new nontraditional TMA donors including philanthropists and other foundations with presence in
Hargeisa. Re-consider engaging with Gulf based donors.
iii. Work out a strategy that finances work in Somaliland whilst complementing the new EU programme in the
Horn of Africa.
Programme duties
i. Establish a robust programme delivery plan focusing on the timely execution of programme mobilisation and
spending plans, production of quality progress reports and measurable results across the SWIFT programme,
with a clear division of labour with the programme officer.
ii. Establish a comprehensive engagement plan with technical leads at TMA HQ and cross border teams in
Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somaliland to support implementation of the SWIFT delivery plan in Somaliland.
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iii. Contribute to the design of the TMA’s new EU programme
iv. Update and strengthen the TMA Somaliland results framework and harvest results and learning as they
emerge.
v. Where possible, results and indicators should be standardised across the various interventions, allowing for
aggregation.

Experiences and Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROPOSED PERSONNEL.
The Consultant will demonstrate required expertise on pre-requisite technical skills and level of knowledge, as
below.
i. A graduate degree in Logistics, Public Policy, Trade Law, Economics, Political Science, International
Development, International Trade, Finance, Business Administration, Enterprise Management or relevant
field.
ii. Significant experience in the field of logistics and trade can be considered in lieu of the qualifications
mentioned. Additionally, he/she will have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience (at least 5 years in
Africa) in undertaking trade, trade facilitation, and transport sector experience.
iii. Sound understanding of Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Horn of Africa development context. Sound
understanding of the institutional, policy and regulatory framework in Somaliland and understanding of
government transit and transport arrangements in Ethiopia as they relate to the Berbera Corridor.
iv. Proven management capabilities in a) development programme management, b) managing programme
management staff, c) representational experience with partner government ideally in the region, and d)
proven experience working with the private sector.
REPORTING
The consultant will report directly to the Director (programmes) for the Horn of Africa. The consultant will develop
OKRs in line with standard TMA human resource procedures and report in line with TMA’s quarterly reporting
process. The countersigning and quality assurance of the OKRs will be undertaken by the Regional Director for the
Horn of Africa and Rwanda.
TMA expects the highest levels of quality reporting and transparency. Additionally, and based on the interim nature
of this PC position, the incumbent will draft monthly reports for the first 3 months on his/her tenure. All reports
submitted will be shared with the NOC Chair to maintain accountability.
Reporting Timing Description
Monthly Report First 3 months Confirm and understanding of the ToR, structured work
planning and task assignment/delegation to the PO and
TL’s mainly based in Nairobi.
Quarterly Check-in
meeting with LM
Monthly Based on agreed OKRs
Final Completion
Report
4 weeks after
contract end
Final activities, results, inputs, costs, and learning.
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TIMEFRAME AND BUDGET
Timeframe
The services will be provided @ 4.5 days per week for one year renewable subject to satisfactory performance
and budget availability

Skills Required

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