PRESENTATION OF TAWA

Tobacco Association of West Africa (TAWA) was created out of a need for companies in the tobacco industry to communicate shared positions on issues and challenges that impact the operating environment in West Africa – to the exclusion of any topic of competitive relevance between Members (see TAWA Statutes and Code of Ethics appended)

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) as promoted by World Health Organisation (WHO)  is perceived today by West African states as a base for pushing regulation  on tobacco topics  such as taxation, illicit trade, and access to tobacco products.

TAWA was incorporated in Côte d’Ivoire by its 3 founding members:

• British American Tobacco Nigeria Limited
• Imperial Tobacco
• Philip Morris International Limited

The founding members are established throughout West Africa and contribute in various ways to the countries’ economies though

• Taxes paid to Governments
• Manufacturing facilities in the countries in which we operate hence supporting job creation and local value creation
• Increasing governments revenues by combatting illicit trade

TAWA will represent the views of its member companies when communicating with the West African Governments in various countries, regional and local authorities and other stakeholders on issues of shared interest and concern such as taxation, smuggling and youth access prevention.

TAWA will have no role in the manufacture, purchase, marketing or pricing of tobacco products and will be governed by a code of ethics to ensure Corporate Governance.

 SUMMARY OF ROLE

- Coordinates and drives the formulation and sign-off of TAWA strategy through the chairing of TAWA sub-Committees and through acting as Executive Secretary to the TAWA Board.

• Coordinates the implementation of TAWA strategy through a Board agreed action plan and through leveraging the resources of TAWA members. Drives the work of TAWA’s 6 Committees and participates in Committee meetings/teleconferences :
  • Economic Affairs
  • Regulatory
  • Data Sharing
  • Anti-Illicit
  • Communication
  • Coding & Tracking

Where required, represents TAWA at meetings with external stakeholders esp. state officials in country or multi-national (ECOWAS, WAEMU) organisation and at engagements with the media.

• Monitors developments in Tobacco Regulation within West Africa and alerts the TAWA Board to emerging threats.

ROLE OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

GOVERNANCE ROLE

• The ES is the Secretary of the Board.
• The ES makes input to all TAWA Committees and other ad hoc meetings arranged by TAWA.
• Convenes meetings in accordance with the Statutes of the Corporate Industry
• Ensures that good governance of the industry body is maintained.
• Ensures that all members are treated equitably despite differences in sizes of market share.

MANAGEMENT ROLE

Liaison and Engagement with TAWA Board

• Regularly informs, engages and meets with TAWA Board members collectively and individually on developments in the tobacco industry generally and on specific issues (verbal and written reports).
• Consults with TAWA Board members on various matters to ensure industry positions based on consensus. 
• Actions decisions taken by the Board and oversees progress on those tasks assigned to TAWA Committee members.

Liaison and engagement with TAWA Members

The ES regularly communicates with the Board of TAWA via telephone, email and in person regarding relevant developments in the tobacco industry generally, and on specific issues.

Day-to-day Management of Office

• Maintains a sound institutional process
• The ES is not employed on a full time but on an ad hoc consultative basis.  He is therefore mandated to operate when needed, ensuring promptness and commitment to the objectives and activities of TAWA at all relevant times.

Financial Management
In collaboration with the appointed Financial Management Agency, proposes yearly budget for Board approval and oversees the prudent management of TAWA resources within budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations.

Human Resource Management
Where necessary, oversees the management of the human resources of TAWA according to authorized personnel policies and procedures which conform to current laws and regulations.

OPERATIONAL ROLE    

The ES is in charge of chairing and driving the different committees which will agree on aligned strategies, priorities nd activities

The ES will be the touch point with Governments, agencies for adoption of protocols, MOUs

He is in front line to engage on tobacco industry common interests at national and international level

He will drive regulatory engagements to protect the tobacco industry interest’s vs WHO agenda  

Drive agreed campaign plans towards key stakeholders in various countries, Trade blocks, NGOs, Private sector and any other body who may influence tobacco business

• dealing with legal formalities,
•  chairing and coordinating Committees  meetings,
• setting agendas and taking minutes,
• managing media enquiries,
• coordinating projects,
• drafting papers

ENGAGEMENT ROLE / COMMUNICATING THE INDUSTRY MESSAGE

Engagement, Meetings and Building alliances within and outside the tobacco industry

Carries out assignments relating to engagements within and outside the tobacco industry as mandated by the Board of TAWA.  All submissions to be made on behalf of the Association to be agreed by all TAWA members and signed off by the Board. 

Presentations/ guest speaker

• Where the TAWA President so mandates, the ES may be requested to speak on behalf of the industry at international conferences, farmers’ days, tobacco conferences and congresses, etc.

Media Liaison

• Participates in TV and Radio interviews (live and recorded) where mandated by the Board
• Gives interviews to print media (verbal and written comments) as above.
• Builds relationships with media, ‘educates’ media about the tobacco industry
• Issues press releases when required
• Monitors major media for coverage on tobacco related issues.

Represents TAWA and the tobacco industry at various forums and events including, amongst others:

• WAA trade blocs - ECOWAS/UEMOA
• Government stakeholders across West Africa
• Tobacco Industry Stakeholder Forum
• Annual Conferences
• Etc.

SKILLS/CHARACTERISTICS:

•  
• Strong leadership qualities
• High abilities to deal with ambiguity
• Negotiating and conflict resolution skills with the aim of always achieving consensus.
• Multi-tasking, ability to prioritize, problem-solving skills.
• Steadfastness/ The ability to remain focused during periods of instability and turmoil.
• Good understanding of the political and social landscape

Strong understanding of the governance and protocols of the UEMOA (and ideally ECOWAS) secretariats combined with a good network within both organisations

• Working understanding of fiscal (and particularly excise) policy in West Africa
• Above average knowledge of the tobacco industry (additional knowledge to be acquired on the job)
• Public speaking/ Presentation skills
• Communication/ lobbying skills/ skills of diplomacy
• Media liaison/ PR (verbal and writing skills)
• Languages – Proficient both in French and English: ability to verbally switch between the languages.
• Proficient in administrative correspondence English and French PC literacy: Email, Powerpoint, Excel, Word, document-writing

EXPECTED PROFILE                            

• A Senior Expert  with significant stakeholders network OR Senior professional with strong leadership and management capabilities
• Independent works at home (Not full time job).
• Language spoken written English & French 
• The ES will be based in West Africa; preferred countries: Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Sénégal.
• Willing to travel wherever required.   

Prière d'adresser votre candidature à infoci@africsearch.com en précisant en objet l'intitulé du poste.