Manager – Africa Desk

Job Description
Trade Malta Ltd is looking to recruit a Manager - Africa Desk to join their team on a full-time basis.

Job role:
The candidate chosen for this role will be responsible for implementing Trade Malta's Africa strategy and supporting Malta-based companies in identifying new business opportunities in Africa or expanding their presence on the continent. They will also provide assistance to TradeMalta's clients in their export efforts, as well as providing clear guidance to companies looking to internationalize their operations in Africa based on economic, political, and commercial knowledge and experience. The main focus of this role will be on strategic markets in North, East, West, Central, and Southern Africa, specifically Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Namibia, and Rwanda, but it is important for the job holder to stay informed about developments in neighboring markets and regional economic blocs.

Responsibilities:

• Helps Malta-based companies in their business development efforts in North, East, West, Central, and Southern Africa including but not limited to Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Namibia, and Rwanda.
• Understands business and commercial needs at a national level within the priority markets and matches these requirements against the capabilities of Malta-based companies.
• Maintains a database of Malta-based companies that are present on the Continent or are interested in doing business in Africa.
• Reaches out and promotes business and commercial opportunities in Africa amongst the identified Malta-based companies.  
• Establishes and maintains a professional network and links with government institutions, business associations, and high-profile individuals in the target markets.
• Gathers selects, and analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the international press and specialised publications.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of events happening in strategic markets in line with the African strategy and in particular as they affect the countries and thematic mandates for which the staff member is responsible.
• Keeps abreast with the latest economic and financial trends and developments and provides inputs on issues to senior management and colleagues in Embassies, High Commissions, and TradeMalta clients.
• Monitors national and regional level political developments and provides advice to senior management, and colleagues in Embassies, High Commissions, and Trade Malta clients.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of developments relating to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional blocs including COMESA, ECOWAS, SADC, and EAC.
• Participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries in line with the African strategy.

Skills and Experience

• Proven knowledge of the African economic and political landscape as well as cultural norms and ethnic issues
• A minimum of three years of proven work experience in market research or business development
• Proven track record in designing and executing successful business development plans and strategies
• Must be a confident communicator with good command of the English language
• Must possess excellent organizational and planning skills
• Be proactive, reliable, responsible, and accurate with attention to detail
• Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management.
• An understanding of the French language, while not necessary, would be a plus.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in political science, international business, or economics.

*Jobsplus Permit No: 62/2023

Trade Malta Ltd:
TradeMalta was formed as a public-private partnership between the Government of Malta, currently under the remit of the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, and the Malta Chamber. It is dedicated to helping Malta-based businesses export and internationalise.

With this in mind, TradeMalta offers a range of services tailored to the needs of companies that are planning to make that first step into the world of internationalisation. This includes the provision of specialised training programmes in international business development and marketing, the administering of a number of export incentive schemes and internationalisation programmes, and the promotion of worldwide business opportunities.