Head of Division, Ombudsman and Mediation 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 of Division, Ombudsman and Mediation

Requisition ID: 710
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract Type: Regular
Autonomous Office: Ombudsman and Mediation
Job Grade: P5
Reports to: AUC Chairperson through Deputy Chairperson
Directorate / Department: Autonomous Office in the Directorate of Ethics, Integrity & Standards
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Purpose of Job

• Directs and manages the daily operations of the Ombudsman and Medation Division 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

• The AU Ombudsman addresses matters arising from administrative decisions and actions taken against a staff member in violation of his or her terms and conditions of employment.
• He/She mainly:
• Designs strategies and policies consistent with the administration of justice in addressing employment relations.
• Addresses challenges arising through the application of regulations and rules.
• Undertakes all such work and duties as may be necessary for the effective execution of the functions and objectives of the Office within the framework of its mandate.
• Facilitates and coordinates the implementation and monitoring of the Office’s strategic plan.
• Coordinates the mainstreaming of the Office into relevant programmes and ensure linkages, synergies and opportunities for joint programming.
• Coordinates the preparation and development of reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Office.
• Prepares budgets for the Office in accordance with relevant frameworks.
• Develops training materials and provides the necessary training and support to all AU Organs and Offices
• Provides technical resource allocation and policy guidance on matters relating to system implementation projects and maintenance.
• Coordinates activities, supervises and manages staff members.
• Promotes non-adversarial means of managing employment-based relations between Staff Members and Management through conciliation, mediation and negotiation.
• Provides advice to staff members, elected officials and administrative bodies on mediation and conciliation issues.
• Receives, inquires and addresses conflict and other grievances staff members may file with the Office
• Offers services that are impartial, objective, neutral, independent, and fully confidential.
• Addresses conditions of employment, administration of benefits, managerial practices, as well as professional and staff relation matters.
• Leads in the drafting of the Ombudsman policy and other relevant policies and guidelines.
• Drafts rules and procedures regarding the filing and addressing of complaints.
• Prepares work plans and budgets for the Office
• Sets up a hotline and manages online reporting of cases by staff members.
• Advises the Chairperson and administration on the outcome of each matter brought before the Office of the Ombudsman.
• Prepares an annual report of cases handled and submits to the Chairperson through the Deputy Chairperson.
• Performs any other function assigned to him or her by the Chairperson.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master's Degree in Law, Management, Business Administration, Human Resources, or any other relevant area with twelve (12) years of relevant work experience out of which seven (7) years should be at a managerial level and five (5) need to relate to a supervisory role.
• Proven experience in policy formulation

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 educational reforms and strategies
• Knowledge and working understanding of AU policies, systems and standards
• Planning, Budgeting and Organization skills.
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages; 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.

Gender Mainstreaming:

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

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$  50,746.00 (P5 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
24th December, 2021.