ICT Expert 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: ICT Expert

Requisition ID: 362
Duty Station: Douala, Cameroon
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to: ClimSA/GFCS Project Coordinator (line reporting) & ECCAS Unit Coordinator
Directorate: Sustainable Environment & Blue Economy
Division: Sustainable Environment
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Grade: P2

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.
• The AUC is also directly responsible for the management and implementation of the project in the ECCAS region.

Main Functions
Under the authority and supervision of the ClimSA/GFCS Project Coordinator and AUC Head of MIS Division, and in close collaboration with the members of the Project Management Unit, the tasks and responsibilities of the ICT Officer will be to:

• Execute communication, visibility, and knowledge management functions.
• Engage on computer processing of meteorological data.

Specific Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the ClimSA/GFCS Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with technical experts, the specific responsibilities of the ICT Expert will include:

• Managing infrastructure (climate stations, PUMA stations and others) installation and maintenance at CAPC-AC and in ECCAS Member States.
• Follow-up infrastructure customs clearance in ECCAS Member States for timely clearance.
• Managing IT infrastructures and databases, including networks, servers, and telecommunications for proper functioning.
• Ensure that network access privileges, applications, data storage and regular backups are configured and maintained;
• Develop and test software programs according to the needs of the project;
• Manage the project weather and climate monitoring databases;
• Ensure capacity building for NMHSs, CAPC-AC staff, national staff and provide training to NMHSs focal points as well as stakeholders in the region on data access;
• Support the production, collection and dissemination of climate services information in real time.
• Facilitate the reception of weather data from partners and ensure data transfers to NMHSs;
• Provide IT helpdesk support and feedback tools to users as and when required;
• Work in close collaboration with experts from ACMAD, JRC and ECMNF to develop the CSIS (Climate Services Information System) and the Climate Data Management System (CDMS) for the region and ensure its effective implementation throughout the climate services production chain;
• Develop and implement the project communication and visibility plan/strategy for the ECCAS region and execute communication, visibility, and knowledge management actions including social media;
• Ensure effective delivery of climate services production chain, dissemination of climate services, and delivery of training;
• Overall administration, management, planning, design, implementation and support of the network infrastructure (LAN, WAN, copper, fiber, wireless, data center, cabling), Network Hardware; (switches, hubs, routers, access points, controllers) and Network Security (Firewall / control access /VPN);
• Prepare statistical reports on ICT-related data and metrics. As needed, implement measures to ensure required standards are met;
• Ensuring successful server backup, routine testing of disaster recovery planning, backups and restore procedures for local drives. Maintain logs, determine critical versions of data, and execute related archiving procedures;
• Produce communication and visibility materials in collaboration with the project team, manage network and database infrastructures, software, servers and web applications, troubleshooting; strengthening the IT equipment’s and backup routines;
• Managing power system in CAPC-AC premises and ensuring that it is in good working condition: generators and power supply (UPS), fire detection systems and other electrical equipment.
• Develop a feedback tool for users;
• Work in close collaboration with ACMAD, JRC and ECMWF to develop the climate Services Information System (CSIS) and ensure its effectiveness;
• Responsible for effective provisioning, installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of systems hardware and software and related infrastructure at CAPC-AC and in NMHSs of ECCAS Member States;
• Develop, test, implement, and maintain the project website and portal and update information such as newsletters, event information, feedbacks, etc.
• Develop and support effective web-based tools to enable secure dynamic delivery of web content for the project;
• Produce communication and visibility materials in collaboration with the program team, manage network and database infrastructures, software, servers and web applications, troubleshooting; strengthening the IT equipment’s and backup routines;
• Execute communication, visibility, and knowledge management actions;
• Perform any other duties related to the programme as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in ICT, Computer Engineering and related fields.
• A higher academic qualification will be an added advantage.
• At least three (3) years of professional relevant work experience of which at least two (2) years should be at a similar or higher in the field of meteorological applications.
• Good experience in database management, production, collection and dissemination of computer and satellite data; advanced experience in processing of computerized processing of meteorological data, management of computer systems, internet and satellite networks. He/She must have a background in programming language (Bash, R, Python, NCL, fortran, matlab,..), information technology issues.
• Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in ICT, Computer Engineering and related fields.
• A higher academic qualification will be an added advantage.
• At least three (3) years of professional relevant work experience of which at least two (2) years should be at a similar or higher in the field of meteorological applications.
• Good experience in database management, production, collection and dissemination of computer and satellite data; advanced experience in processing of computerized processing of meteorological data, management of computer systems, internet and satellite networks. He/She must have a background in programming language (Bash, R, Python, NCL, fortran, matlab,..), information technology issues.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated skills in climate services sectors   fields of application;
• Good command of analysis methods, interoperability technologies, geo-referenced data, python language etc.
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Sound planning and organizational skills;
• Advanced knowledge of climate change and meteorology technical processes;
• Knowledge of the use of data from regional and global climate models for climate simulations and predictions at the level of the sub-region, countries, watersheds, impacts, and forecasts of risks and disasters linked to climates;
• Proven knowledge and practice of policy development and analysis;
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages and fluency in another  is an added advantage;
• Experience in the ECCAS region is an advantage;
• Good knowledge of LINUX and Window operating systems and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher)

Desired Skills:

• Additional training and experience in project management;
• Have excellent teamwork skills and the ability to interact with a range of people;
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to communicate specialized information to non-specialists;
• Be able to work flexibly for hours and under pressure, and have multitasking capabilities;
• Have a high attention to detail and precision in the work;
• Experience in project management;
• Ability to work under pressure within a multidisciplinary team.
• Good sense of human relations;
• Have good communication skills

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management .
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Accountability awareness and Compliance.
• Learning Orientation.
• Continuous improvement focus.

Functional Competencies:

• Accountability awareness and Compliance.
• Job Knowledge and information sharing.
• Drive for result.
• Continuous improvement focus.

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.

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  66,751.81  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
9th June, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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