Head, Secretariat Peace and Security Council 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: Head, Secretariat Peace and Security Council

Requisition ID: 646
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to:  Director Conflict Management  
Directorate: Conflict Management
Division: Peace and Security Council Secretariat
Number of Direct Reports: 4
Number of Indirect Reports: 4
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of the Job

• Directs and manages the daily operations of the Secretariat of Peace and Security Council Secretariat in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the directorate and the AU’s overall goals.

Main Functions

• Designs and implements policies, programs and projects to achieve the directorate’s strategic objectives. 
• Manages and supervises employees within the division, ensures the timely delivery of the directorate’s goals and effective staff performance evaluation; 
• Designs policies, strategies and programs to contribute to the effective implementation of relevant AU Policy Organs Decisions; 
• Ensures the delivery of the division’s annual targets in line with the directorate’s overall goals and ensures robust and timely monitoring and reporting;
• Provides technical leadership and ensures efficient functioning of all Units within the Division
• Manages the work of the Division and supervises direct reports to ensure their effective performance in line with the organization’s performance management policy and system;
• Engages stakeholders within Members States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/Regional Mechanisms (RMs) and relevant international organisations in designing and implementing strategies. 
• Maintains thematic partnerships in support of the mandate of the Division;  
• Maintains regular working relations with senior stakeholders in Member States and partner institutions in the execution of the Division’s mandate.  
• Represents the organisation and communicates its position at conferences. 
• Contributes to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at division level. 
• Ensures the effective management of funds contributed to the organization;  
• Manages risk within the division and recommends mitigation strategies 
• Contributes to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensures implementation at division level 
• Maintains a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent. 

Specific Responsibilities

• Serves as the Commission’s focal point for relations and communications with the PSC and ensures smooth relations between the PSC and all Union Organs;
• Serves as the Secretariat of the PSC, with respect to planning, managing and servicing statutory meetings, retreats, seminars, field missions and activities of the PSC and its sub-committees;
• Provides support to the Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council in managing Council meetings and activities;
• Provides support to the PSC and Commissioner PAPS in monitoring the implementation of the Decisions of the PSC;
• Maintain effective archives of PSC decisions, documents and reports;
• Establishes a horizontal link between Departments and Directorates for smooth, consistent and effective implementation of AU decisions;
• Ensures that all working documents for the meetings and the work of the PSC are properly prepared, duly processed and dispatched in a timely manner to Member States;
• Ensures that the outcomes of meetings, such as decisions and reports are properly finalized, duly processed and disseminated on time to Member States;
• Performs any other relevant duties, as may be assigned by the supervisor; and
• Ensure the activities of the Peace and Security Council are regularly and effectively communicated to AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, the United Nations, European Union, League of Arab States and other international partners in in line with its Protocol.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Masters Degree in Political Science, Law, International Relations,  Diplomacy, Public Administration, , or related studies with twelve (12) years relevant experience out of which seven (7) and  five (5) years should be at managerial and supervisory level respectively.
• Proven experience in  facilitating national or intergovernmental decision-making processes is required.

Required Skills:

• Leadership and management skills
• Communication, report writing and presentation skills
• Research and analytical skills
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Ability to work in teams and in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge in international peacebuilding initiatives
• Knowledge and working understanding of AU policies, systems and standards
• Planning and Organization skills.
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic); fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for result
• 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$  50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 27,290.88.00 (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
2nd August, 2021.