Senior SSR, DDR Officer 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 SSR, DDR Officer

Requisition ID: 903
Location: Bangui, Central African Republic
Job Grade: P3
Contract  Type: Fixed-term
Division: Central Africa Desk
Reports to: SRCC
Directorate / Department: PAPS/Conflict management
Number of Direct Reports: 4
Number of Indirect Reports: 2

Purpose of Job

• The Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and fourteen (14) armed groups (AGs) signed a Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (PAPR-RCA) on 6 February 2019, with the assistance of the African Union (AU) with the support of the Economic Community of Central African States and the United Nations.
• This agreement contains many provisions relating to security arrangements including SSR and DDR issues; governance; approximation which must be implemented in the short and medium term. The AU is the guarantor of the implementation of this peace agreement.
• An SSR/DDR Officer will be deployed to CAR to provide technical support for the implementation of the SSR and DDR provisions in the CAR peace agreement.
• Through the AU Mission in CAR and Central Africa (MISAC), the officer will be responsible for providing strategic advice to national authorities on appropriate and inclusive SSR and DDR mechanisms, structures and processes to support national SSR and DDR efforts, as provided for in the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (PAPR).
• The SSR/DDR Officer will be guided by the AU Policy Framework on SSR, the AU Programme on Capacity and Knowledge Management in DDR, the AU Operational Guidance Notes on HSS and DDR and international standards on DDR and SSR.  
• Thus, the SSR and DDR officer must work with various national, regional and international partners, including AU entities and organs, regional economic communities (RECs), regional mechanisms (MRs), the United Nations, specialized agencies and civil society.
• The Senior Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Officer will be responsible for the management of projects and activities under the technical supervision of the Defence and Security Division of the DPS and other joint projects with partners in the field.

Main Functions

• Provide support in the preparation and Implement the programmes developed out of the Division’s strategic plan;
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation of Unit’s plans and activities at various levels;
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other relevant stakeholders on relevant matters;
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division;
• Provide support to develop resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders’ coordination;
• Manage and supervise direct reports to ensure their effective performance as per organization’s performance management policy and system;
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use;
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes;
• Prepare budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required;
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans.

Specific Responsibilities

• Monitor political and security developments in the Central African Republic (CAR) and regularly prepare analyses on SSR and DDR issues, including assessing their impact on the SSR and DDR process and recommending possible interventions to the AI;
• Provide strategic and operational advice on SSR and DDR aspects related to the creation and implementation of Special Joint Security Units (USMS)
• Through the AU representative and head of MISAC, provide strategic and operational advice to Central African national authorities on security sector issues, help formulate and promote strategies and interventions to support national SSR and DDR efforts;
• Assist CAR national stakeholders in the conceptualization, development and implementation of SSR and DDR strategies and plans, and contribute to efforts to mobilize and coordinate international assistance for related initiatives;
• Liaise regularly with RECs/RMs, the United Nations and other partners to identify synergies and areas of cooperation and mutual support within the various institutions;
• Provide technical support to CAR in collaboration with the United Nations and other partners to strengthen the capacity of national SSR and DDR coordination mechanisms.
• Design awareness-raising and training modules on SSR/DDR for national stakeholders and AU staff based on the AU Operational Guidance Notes on SSR and DDR;
• Manage all aspects of event organization (conferences, workshops, consultations, etc.), including the development of concept notes and agendas, the identification of participants and resource persons, and the preparation of background documents, presentations and results reports.
• Produce a range of documents, including background documents, speeches, discussion points, press releases, and contribute to reports to African Union bodies and donors, ensuring that the highest levels of quality are met;
• Perform any other related tasks assigned to him/her by the Head of MISAC, the Director of the Peace and Security Department or the Commissioner for Peace and Security.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in in Political Science, Social Science, Defence and Security, Management, International Relations, Law, Development or a related field with 7 years’ experience in out of which 3 years  should be at a supervisory level

Or

• Bachelor’s Degree in similar studies with 10 years relevant experience and 3 years at Supervisor revel
• At least five years of professional experience related to Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)
• Professional experience in a conflict or post-conflict context is required.
• Experience in writing high quality analytical reports is required.
• Experience in SSR and DDR in advising and guiding defence or security forces is desirable.
• Experience in policy coordination or project management is desirable.
• Training certificates on SSR level 1 or 2 and DDR would be an additional benefit.
• Knowledge of the functioning of the African Union system and the context of the Central African Republic would be an additional asset.

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication 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 official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) and  fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for result
• Continuous improvement orientation

Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed 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
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 99,274.80 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  82,211.38 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
24th December, 2021.