Coordinator, Political Affairs 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: Coordinator, Political Affairs

Requisition ID: 881
Location: Central African Republic
Organization: African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Reports to: SRCC
Directorate/Department : PAPS
Division: Central Africa Desk
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P4
Contract: Type: Fixed-term
Location: Bangui, CAR

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 (PRPR-RCA) on 6 February 2019, with the assistance of the African Union (AU), the support of the Economic Community of Central African States and the United Nations.
• This agreement contains many provisions relating to security arrangements, including political and governance issues; reconciliation; and approximation, which must be implemented in the short and medium term. The AU is the guarantor of the implementation of this peace agreement.
• A Political Affairs Coordinator will be deployed to CAR to provide technical support for the implementation of the provisions on political and governance issues in the CAR peace agreement.
• Under the direct supervision of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Head of the AU Mission in CAR, he/she will coordinate political affairs and be responsible, in accordance with the provisions of the PAPR, for political and governance issues in CAR (advocacy and outreach of the PAPR, assistance to the government in various governance-related priorities, including the drafting of a new Charter of Political Parties, the drafting of the law on the status of former Heads of State, the adoption of the new law for decentralization).

Main Functions

• Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of various partnerships relevant for the division and directorate;
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the division/directorate’s support to AU;
• Contribute to the development of the departmental strategies and business continuity plan and participate in/ensure their implementation
• Involve in negotiations;
• Foster and ensure implementation of large-scale and long-term initiatives related to strategic partnerships;
• Support the organization of thematic networks, consultations and meetings on development cooperation and international relations;
• Develop training materials and provide necessary training and support to Organization Units;
• Provide technical resource allocation and policy guidance on matters relating to system - Implementation projects and maintenance.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide advice to the Head of MISAC and Head of the AU Liaison Office in CAR on issues related to the implementation of the PAPR, reconciliation and governance;
• Collect and analyze field information from various sources, including the press;
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of events related to political issues in general, and their impact on countries in particular;
• Keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in the implementation of the PAPR and provide input on relevant issues to the Head of MISAC and Head of the AU Liaison Office in CAR, and colleagues from MISAC and AU Headquarters;
• Monitor regularly political developments at national and provincial levels and provide daily and weekly updates to the Head of MISAC and Head of the AU Liaison Office in CAR;  
• Produce regular reports and strategic analyses in support of the work of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), including reports on the implementation of PSC priorities at the local level;
• Identify gaps in policy and governance, prioritize those that need to be addressed and develop and coordinate/implement strategies to address gaps in CAR;
• Provide technical and substantive support to the implementation of the office's mandates;
• Maintain contacts with governmental, non-governmental and international organizations on coordination and policy issues;
• Monitor the actions undertaken by intergovernmental groups, United Nations organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations;
• Define the individual and collective work plan in the area of its responsibility in accordance with the established terms of reference;
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Head of MISAC and Head of the AU Liaison Office in CAR.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in the field of Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Management, other fields related to conflict management within 10 years of experience which 6 years should be at expert/specialist and 3 years at supervisory level Or Bachelor in similar studies with 12 years relevant experience.
• Must have excellent presentation and writing skills in French and an excellent knowledge of current political, social and economic developments in Africa (particularly in CAR);
• Must be able to work with a team of professionals and demonstrate creativity and initiative, as well as conduct strategic analysis, reports and briefs under pressure.

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal 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 results.
• 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$ 113,614.67 (P4 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 96,922.19  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
24th December, 2021.