Senior Policy Officer, Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation 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: Senior Policy Officer, Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

Requisition ID: 367
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to:- ClimSA/GFCS Project Coordinator
Directorate: Sustainable Environment & Blue Economy Directorate/
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE)
Division: Sustainable Environment
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Job Grade: P3

AU Values  

• Respect for Diversity and Team Work
• Think Africa Above all
• Transparency and Accountability
• Integrity and Impartiality
• Efficiency and Professionalism
• Information and Knowledge Shari
• Organization Information

Purpose of Job

• The African Union Commission (AUC) has secured funding from the European Union for the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) through the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Application (ClimSA) programme.
• The programme addresses the issue of climate information throughout the entire supply chain of climate services covering generation and provision of climate services, access to information, user interface platforms, and capacity enhancement of critical players including, but not limited to, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of Member States, and Regional Climate Centres (RCCs).
• It aims to enable Member States to develop and incorporate science-based climate information and prediction into development planning and decision-making at all levels, and to better manage risks of climate variability and change, Furthermore, it enhances policy and decision-making at continental, regional, national, community, and individual levels.
• The AUC is responsible for the overall continental coordination of the programme implementation, which includes the development and application of weather and climate information services; facilitation of capacity building for RECs and Member States; fostering sharing of best practices and coordinating knowledge management; procurement and supply of equipment for Member States and Regional Climate Centres; establishing and operationalization of the continental monitoring and reporting framework; facilitation of preparation of Africa State of Climate Reports and Outlooks; prudent management of financial resources; and monitoring and evaluation.

Main Functions

• Ensures that the programme has appropriate planning, monitoring and evaluation system as well as the reporting tools with clear milestones and deliverables.
• Responsible for monitoring and assessment of the progress of implementation and assists the Programme Coordinator on preparation of reports for the programme.
• Provides key inputs into the regular Intra-ACP Programme reporting and facilitates the regular monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the Action and all other ClimSA related projects implemented in RECs and RCCs with particular focus on the ECCAS region and the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD).
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Climate Centres and other stakeholders on matters of water and climate services

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and facilitate implementation of the overall ClimSA - GFCS programme planning, monitoring, and reporting system as well as the Reporting Framework;
• Provide support to RCCs to ensure their appropriate use of the established monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems;
• Conduct regular site visits, ensure quality control of M&E processes, and manage the information-gathering process for results and performance reports;
• Maintain active communication with RCCs and assist them in the development of M&E plans for the project;
• Support project accountability by reporting on ClimSA/GFCS activities including follow-ups on the functioning of infrastructure and development, delivery and utilization of climate services;
• Prepare for and facilitate the ClimSA/GFCS programme evaluations (mid-term, final and any other evaluations);
• Undertake M&E activities and project reporting in line with the log framework;
• Design and conduct assessments, annual reviews, and surveys for process monitoring and identification of project achievements, challenges, success stories, lessons, best practices, impacts, etc. in order to measure project performance against objectives and indicators;
• Provide professional support to the Coordinator in the areas of planning, development and implementation of the integrated performance monitoring and evaluation strategies;
• Take part in the planning and implementation of UIPs, cross-fertilization actions, peer reviews, and review of climate services development;
• Take an active role in the planning and execution of events including international and African fora, Technical expert meetings, Program Advisory/Steering Committee meetings, and other events on climate change, meteorology and related environmental events;
• Identify capacity gaps in the field of M&E of implementing partners, and provide   support in organization of remedial training to fill capacity gaps.
• Design and facilitate delivery of M&E and reporting training programmes on the use of recommended reporting and monitoring tools, formats and guidelines;
• Provide professional support to the Coordinator in the review of periodic technical reports of implementing partners;
• Working closely with other project staff and relevant AUC Directorates, partners and consultants, lead and provide overall management for the design and implementation of an M&E and reporting system;
• Provide support to the Programme Coordinator in preparation of project reports
• Perform any other related duties assigned by supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Candidates must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Development, Development Evaluation and Management, or related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively relevant work experience in project planning, monitoring and evaluation, including hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing relationships among partners. OR
• A Bachelor Degree in the above fields of study with a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively relevant work experience as stated above.
• Candidates are required to have at least three (3) years supervisory experience
• A qualification or experience in Programme/Project management including design and formulation, management, monitoring and evaluation is essential.
• Candidates with experience in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of projects delivering environmental and climate services or remoting sensing and GIS will have an added advantage
• Experience in earth observation, environment and climate change projects and knowledge of GIS applications is an added advantage
• Experience in project planning, monitoring and evaluation, including hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing relationships among partners.
• Supervisory experience
• Experience in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of projects delivering environmental and climate services or remote sensing and GIS will have an added advantage
• Experience in earth observation, environment and climate change projects and knowledge of GIS applications is an added advantage

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Sound planning and organizational skills
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight;
• Developing others;
• Change Management;
• Managing Risk;
• Core Competencies
• Building Relationship;
• Foster Accountability Culture;
• Learning Orientation;
• Communicating with Influence;
• Functional Competencies
• Conceptual thinking;
• Job Knowledge and information sharing;
• Drive for result;
• Continuous improvement orientation;

Tenure of Appointment:

• The appointment shall be for an initial period of one (1) year, the first three (3) months of which shall be on probation. It shall be renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

Gender Mainstreaming:

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

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
9th June, 2021.