A. JOB PURPOSE
To provide the Division with strategic leadership and technical direction on Gender and Social Affairs matters.
To build partnerships, coordinate and implement Council decisions in Member States, undertakeadvocacy to ensure women’s and youths’ empowerment, health, education and other social affairs
thematic areas are achieved in line with COMESA’s strategic objectives.
B. MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Secretary General (Programmes) and the overall
supervision of the Secretary General, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:
i. Provide input into long-range strategic and policy priorities/ issues relating to
COMESA’s role in supporting development in Member States in order to realize the
regional integration agenda;

Monitor the implementation of Division work programs and budgets to ensure that
the Division mandate is executed in line with COMESA’s strategy within approved
budget limits;
iv. Develop and provide capacity building programs, tools, and technical advice to all key stakeholders to strengthen gender mainstreaming;
v. Develop and distribute mainstreaming toolkits to all key stakeholders and play a strong role in advocacy and disseminate information on gender programmes through publications and press releases. Ensure the Gender website is updated and coordinate the publication of a newsletter on key developments in the region every quarter;
vi. Lead the COMESA efforts on youth empowerment in the Region focusing on research, youth employability, entrepreneurship, engagement and participation in political, social and economic development processes;
vii. Formulate and submit project proposals and negotiates for funding in collaboration with team members and other relevant divisions and units, to strengthen resource availability for the portfolio;

Identify, develop and maintain partnerships with Member States, private sector, civil society, organizations, cooperating partners to mobilize resources for various
projects on Gender, Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment and Social Affairs;
ix. Collaborate with different stakeholders to share priorities, knowledge and monitor
projects implementation of regional initiatives, global commitments and initiatives
on Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Social development, Youth
Empowerment and other areas to ensure coherent approach to implementation and
reporting on commitments;
x. Facilitate development/review of Gender Policy, HIV and AIDS Policy, Health Policy, Youth Policy, Social Charter and other gender, youth and social affairs
policies and programs to incorporate emerging issues and priorities in the respective thematic areas;
C. MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
i. Master’s Degree in Gender Studies, Sociology, Human Rights Law or other related fields;
ii. A Ph.D. in any of the above fields would be an added advantage.
D. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Minimum of fifteen (15) years’ experience in gender equality, women empowerment, youth engagement or other related fields with at least five (5) years in a senior management role in an international, public, intergovernmental or regional institution.
E. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Specialized knowledge in any of the following areas:
i) Gender analysis and mainstreaming techniques;
ii) Regional and global gender equality and women empowerment frameworks, protocols,
and declarations;
iii) Knowledge of issues affecting youth and social development issues in Africa and strategic
frameworks to address them;
iv) Regional and International Human Rights Legal Frameworks;
v) Project management; and
vi) Lobbying and Advocacy.