Secretary at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).  We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Secretary - AfCFTA Secretariat

Reference Code: AfCFTA (11.17.2020) 08
Location: Accra, Ghana
Grade: GSA4
Contract type: Regular (Long Duration)
Employment Fraction: Full time
Branch: The AfCFTA Secretariat

Organization

• The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat (AfCFTA Secretariat) is established under article 13 of the AfCFTA Agreement as a functionally autonomous institutional body within the African Union Systems with an independent legal personality.
• The Secretariat is responsible for the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. In seeking to achieve its objective the AfCFTA Secretariat intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of its structure and the filling of vacant posts.
• The AfCFTA Secretariat through the African Union commission invites qualified and competent applicants who are citizens of Member States of the African Union with relevant skills, competencies and experiences to submit their applications for the position of the Secretary based at its headquarters in Accra, Ghana.

Job Purpose
To provide secretarial and clerical support services to the assigned supervisor or department for its effective functioning.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Draft responses to routine correspondences for the signature of the supervisors;
• Attend visitors and staff and provide them with basic information on relevant issues and procedures; Assist in the follow up on logistical arrangements, activity implementation and provision of updates; Maintain a proper filing and recording system for all incoming and outgoing correspondences and documents;
• Respond to and screen various correspondences such as telephone calls, e-mail messages and ensure follow up with supervisors and partners;
• Keep an up to date diary of appointments for supervisors;
• Keep equipment in use in good condition and report on defects for maintenance and other necessary action;
• Provide day to day routine administrative supports to various work units of the assigned Department / Division / Units;
• Ensure availability of stationery stock, equipment and furniture in offices assigned;
• Perform reception services where required; and
• Perform any other relevant duties and responsibility as may be assigned.

Requirements
Academic Qualification And Work Experience Required:

• Diploma in Administrative Services, Office Management, Secretarial and Clerical related studies with 3 years of relevant secretarial work experience in public organization, diplomatic mission, international organization or international non-governmental organizations.
• Candidates who are holder of bachelor’s degree in Administrative Services, Office Management, Secretarial and Clerical related studies are required to have a minimum of 2 years of relevant secretarial work experience in public organization, diplomatic mission, international organization or international non-governmental organizations.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:

• Excellent knowledge of computer office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point Sound planning and organizational skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong communication ability both orally and in writing
• Excellent team player and able to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Decision maker, firm yet flexible, confident;
• Be able to manage stress.
• Strong personality but friendly, polite and patient;
• Work quickly, accurately and efficiently, meeting tight deadlines;
• Be able to work unsupervised on your own initiative;

Language Requirement:

• Applicants must be proficient in one of the following African Union working languages; Arabic, English, French or Portuguese. Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Tenure Of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two-years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$12,834.00 per annum plus other related entitlements applicable for internationally and locally recruited staff e.g. education allowance and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent child (up to a maximum of US$ 10, 000.00 per child per annum etc. for internationally recruited staff) and (up to maximum of US$ 3,300.00 per child per annum for locally recruited staff of the African Union.

Application Closing Date
21st December, 2020.