Director of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration 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: Director of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration

Requisition ID: 661
Duty Station: Bamako, Mali
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to: Commissioner, HHS  
Directorate / Department: The African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration, Mali
Division: The African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration, Mali
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 9
Grade: D1

Purpose of the Job

• Reporting to the Board of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration, and the Director, Health and Humanitarian Affairs, the Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre.
• S/he is responsible for providing leadership and direction for programmes and activities of the Centre, and providing strategic planning, overall supervision, management and institutional representation of the Centre in fulfillment of its mission, goals, and strategic objectives.
• The Director supervises, and has line authority over the Deputy Director and other leadership posts within the Centre’s Secretariat, and other professional and support staff.
• In addition to participating in day-to-day activities, the Director organizes and coordinates the overall operation of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration, ensuring efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• The Director acts as authorizing officer of the Centre and proposes to the Commission strategic alliances and partnerships for the joint execution of programs and activities with partners as well as mobilization of resources; Under the general guidance of the Director, Health and Humanitarian Affairs and in collaboration with the staff, s/he must annually develop and submit to the Director, Health and Humanitarian Affairs’ approval the program of activities with supporting budget, as well as the report on implementation and outcomes, including financial statements.

Main Functions
The Director of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration shall:

• Lead, plan, coordinate and manage all activities of the Centre.
• Ensure the vision, mission and guiding values of the Centre are developed, communicated, and implemented at all levels.
• Promote an accountable, ethical, informed and transparent organizational culture and way of doing business.
• Develop strategic goals and objectives and provide leadership and guidance in the development of supporting policy and programme plans.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for the Centre, and represent the Centre in all internal and external activities.
• Advocate on behalf of the Board and the Centre at large to ensure that the positions and actions of the Centre are successfully presented to all interested parties.
• Ensure the Centre has an annual work-plan in place, along with the financial resources necessary to achieve its core purposes, outcome-oriented goals, and objectives.

Specific Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement the Centre’s policy and programme objectives, plans, and evaluate progress.
• Ensure coordination of Centre’s activities in collaboration with other multi-lateral, continental, regional and national migration research institutions and partners.
• Represent the Centre at all meetings, conferences or similar venues where the Centre seeks to be recognised to advance its mission and strategic goals.
• Provide direction and leadership in the areas of technical assistance and research on migration on the Continent.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to the Board and other Advisory Boards, the African Union and its Member States, key stakeholders and partners regarding migration programming and research priorities, policies and other activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the Board and other Advisory Boards and key stakeholders, other government agencies, academic institutions, and key partner organizations.
• Work closely with the Board and the Secretariat to effectively carry out the Board’s governance roles.
• Present the annual budget to the Board and African Union Commission in keeping with established processes and timelines.
• Promote and foster an employment culture at the Centre that attracts and retains highly qualified staff, and ensure the appropriate mentoring and continuing education for staff’s professional growth and success.
• In partnership with the Board, provide leadership and direction in efforts to identify and secure donor and technical assistance support for the Centre’s programmes and initiatives.
• Perform any other functions in line with the objectives of the Centre and as entrusted by the Commission.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in relevant fields within Social Sciences, Law or other relevant disciplines, with a minimum fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience in programmatic and research activities in the areas of migration and training/capacity building, with at least eight (8) years at senior managerial level and five (5) years supervisory exposure, with wide powers to lead and manage national, regional or global programmes.
• Practical experience in social research and training/capacity building in any setting, including a governmental/inter-governmental agency, academic institution or research organization is required.
• Experience in working with institutional boards and academic journal review boards is desired.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of technical expertise and experience in the management of complex programmes with special emphasis on research and training/capacity building and related activities. Comprehensive knowledge and expert skill in application of planning, budgeting, assessment, and evaluation techniques.
• Proven track record in fund raising for large-scale projects.
• Ability to analyze and respond to emerging trends in migration, and to develop, apply and adjust programme strategies and policies to organizational mission, goals and objectives.
• Expert ability to conceptualize, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate organizational programmes.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), tact, and sensitivity in the performance of duties.
• Expert ability to establish priorities among competing interests and resolve arising conflicts is required.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and diplomacy as required to initiate and develop public- and private-sector partnerships for support and collaboration on migration issues and programmes.
• Ability to work effectively with considerable autonomy under pressure to deliver high quality results in a timely manner.
• Outstanding representational skills and experience to interact effectively with senior-level officials within the organization and other key stakeholders in both public and private-sector organizations.
• Skills and abilities to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals and provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit.
• Ability to manage complex operations and teams; ability to apply effective leadership and interpersonal skills through use of strategic thinking, team and project leadership, decision-making skills and personnel development – including proven skills in supervision, team building, and motivating and developing people.
• Strong strategic and creative thinking, leadership skills and presence at the executive level, with a proven ability to solve problems, communicate complex issues orally and in writing, and to work cooperatively and diplomatically with diverse stakeholders and governing boards.
• Ability to relate to people at all levels of an organization with excellent communication, listening, and judgment skills;
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment.
• Adaptive, patient, resilient and flexible.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications, experience in using office software programs such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word;
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) is required. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Focus
• Developing Organisational Capability
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Risk Management

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnerships
• Drives Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation

Tenure of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on a 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.

Remuneration

• Indicative basic salary of US$ 78,138.00 (D1 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 26,208.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.

Application Closing Date
26th July, 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.