Policy Officer - Training (Climate Services) 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: Policy Officer - Training (Climate Services)

Requisition ID: 365
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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: 0
Number of Indirect Reports : 0
Job 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.

Main Functions
The Policy Officer (Training - Climate Services) shall:

• Facilitate specialized training in weather and climate services including weather forecasts, predictions, access and processing of Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) products and services, processing of both satellite-based and in-situ weather and climate data and information.
• Plan, coordinate and monitor training activities involving experts from Member States, RECs, and Regional Climate Centres to enhance capacities in the development and use of weather climate services.
• Foster networks with universities, research and training institutions including the Pan-African University.
• Track and promote synergies with other relevant trainings proposed by other initiatives and organizations including RCCs, Copernicus, ECMWF, JRC, EUMETSAT, WMO, etc.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of the Project Training Strategy.
• Collaborate with RECs and Regional Climate Centres in the development of specialized training programmes, modules and courses.
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation with RECs and RCCs.

Specific Responsibilities

• Work closely with other project staff, RCCs and partners to identify the knowledge and technical capacity gaps;
• Conduct Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and develop the ClimSA/GFCS Training Strategy;
• Lead the development of training modules and implementation of the Training Strategy;
• Coordinate identification of experts from member States and RCCs to undergo training;
• Develop capacity building plan which would include, among others, training schedule, inter-RCC experts exchange programme, links with European or international institutions providing training or training materials, link with Pan-African university, etc.)
• Contact potential training centers that could host continental training event and contact potential trainers that could deliver appropriate courses
• Prepare Terms of Reference for training activities to be developed at continental level (common to all regions) and identify resources to implement the activities;
• Working closely with RCCs, ensure that the local technical teams and the members of national networks are effectively trained;
• Assist the Programme Coordinator in preparation of the ClimSA/GFCS project reports including specific training reports;
• Liaise with WMO Regional Training Centres on the delivery of tailored trainings to experts from RCCs and Member States
• Perform any other related duties assigned by supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Meteorology, Climatology, or related field and minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience.
• At least  three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental and natural resources management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, meteorology involving multi-stakeholders such as Regional Economic Communities, Member States and Development Partners.
• Experience in projects delivering environmental and climate services or remoting sensing and GIS will have an added advantage.
• Experience in environmental and climate monitoring projects, use of GIS in support of sustainable development.
• At least  three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental and natural resources management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, meteorology involving multi-stakeholders such as Regional Economic Communities, Member States and Development Partners.
• Experience in projects delivering environmental and climate services or remoting sensing and GIS will have an added advantage.
• Experience in environmental and climate monitoring projects, use of GIS in support of sustainable development.

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:

• Change Management .
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and problem solving.
• 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.

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$ 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