Senior Legal Officer - Promotion 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 Legal Officer - Promotion

Requisition ID: 853
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Organization Information
Reports to: Deputy Secretary to the Commission
Directorate/Department: African Commission on Human and People’s Rights ACHPR
Division: Legal
Job Grade: P3
Contract  Type: Regular
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Purpose of Job

• Provides technical legal support for the promotion of the human and people’s rights in line with the execution of the Commission’s Strategic Plan

Main Functions

• Contributes to the development of policies and strategies
• Coordinates the implementation of programmes and plans on promotion of human and peoples’ rights
• Liaises with stakeholders including Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), etc on relevant matters
• Develops a promotional strategy in line with the approved Strategic Plan
• Prepares the annual work plans for the Unit
• Undertakes monitoring activities and produces periodic reports
• Manages and supervises direct reports against agreed Key Results Area (KRA) and Key Performance Indictors (KPIs.)
• Conducts analysis and generate reports on human and peoples’ rights situation on the African continent
• Liaises with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes
• Prepares budgets for the Unit in accordance with relevant frameworks.
• Provides technical support for the development of resource mobilization
• Prepares guidelines, fact sheets and other promotional activities

Specific Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Deputy Secretary, the Senior Legal Officer-Promotion shall perform the following duties:
• Prepares and disseminates information on the work and activities of the ACHPR
• Assists Commissioners in their promotional activities and follow-up on the various recommendations
• Organises meetings, seminars, symposia, workshops and conferences to inculcate and promote a culture of human rights on the continent
• Prepares legal opinions to inform human rights policy formulation at the national, regional and continental levels
• Analyses States Reports submitted to the Commission, in conformity with Article 62 of the African Charter
• Prepares Summaries, Questionnaires, Concluding Observations and Recommendations on states reports for consideration by the Commissioners
• Develops Guidelines for Promotional Missions
• Updates reporting guidelines and formats for States Parties
• Network and liaise with other stakeholders to build strong partnerships for human rights promotion in Africa
• Provides advice on requests for Observers Status from NGOs, and  requests for Affiliate Status from NHRIs
• Follows-up and report on the status of submission of Periodic Reports by Member States , in accordance with Article 62
• Provides periodic updates on the status of submission of reports by NGOs and NHRIs
• Provides legal technical assistance to the Deputy and Executive Secretary in their day-to-day work
• Produces and/or contribute to key legal or policy analyses and publications
• Promotes the integration of legal work across the regional programs and particularly in the regional offices
• Engages with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develops relationships
• Performs any other duties as may be directed or required

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Must hold  Master’s Degree in Law from an accredited university with seven (7) years’ experience within a human rights framework, preferably in a regional, continental or international organisation, with three (3) at supervisory level.

  OR

• Must hold Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from an accredited university with ten (10) years’ experience out of which three (3) years should be at supervisory level, in a similar role and within a human rights framework, preferably in a regional, continental or international organisation.
• Any other qualification in the area of human rights law or a member of the professional body  would be an advantage

Required Skills:

• An in-depth understanding of the African human rights system and of comparative or international human rights law
• Knowledge of the African Union policies and procedures
• Strong analytical skills and ability to prepare legal submissions and opinions
• Concentration, accuracy, and ability to work under minimum supervision and under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and work under pressure in a multi-cultural environment
• Good communication and planning skills
• Respect for confidentiality and good public relations
• Demonstrable knowledge of international organizations
• Computer literacy

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management....
• Managing Risk...
• Strategic Insight...

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships...
• Accountable and Complies with Rules...
• Learning Orientation...
• Communicating with Influence...

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking...
• Job Knowledge Sharing...
• Drive for Results...
• Continuous improvement orientation...

Enure 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.

Gender Mainstreaming:

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

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 37,453.00 (P3 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 13,248.00  (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
20th December, 2021.