Senior Legal 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 of:

Job Title: Senior Legal Officer

Requisition ID: 862
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Deputy Director
Directorate / Department: Africa CDC
Division: Office of the Deputy Director
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P3
Contract  Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• The Senior Legal Officer reports to the Deputy Director, Africa CDC and technically to the African Union Office of Legal Council (AU-OLC). 
• Working in close collaboration with the AU-OLC, the incumbent shall provide legal advisory services to staff of the Africa CDC Secretariat, Regional Collaborating Centres (RCC) and National Public Health Institutes (NPHI).

Main Functions

• Provide technical support in the preparation and implementation of programmes developed out of Africa CDC’s strategic plan
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation at various levels
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders on relevant matters
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Office
• Provide technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders coordination
• Manage and supervise employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation.
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for Africa CDC’S and AU’s internal use.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes
• Participate in preparation of budgets for the Office in accordance with relevant frameworks. Support the promotion of the activities of the Africa CDC including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required.
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans

Specific Responsibilities

• Draft or assist in the drafting of legal texts and memoranda ensure that the interests of the Africa CDC are protected and ideals of the African Union are not compromised and offer advice on issues and disputes that may arise from their application;
• Provide legal services to Africa CDC to ensure legality in decision-making and compliance with the AU rules and regulations;
• Liaise with relevant Africa CDC divisions and assist in drafting and  validating Legal frameworks;
• Conduct legal research and proffer legal opinions on matters raised by Africa CDC;
• Draft and review host agreements between the AU/Africa CDC and Regional Collaborating Centres;
• Review and assist in drafting administrative contracts and agreements such as Memorandums of Understanding, Grant Agreements, Letters of Agreements, contracts of engagement of personnel, consultants and contracts awarded for the procurement of goods or services;
• Participate in meetings of relevant legal nature on behalf of Africa CDC;
• Advise on Legal Issues relating to conflict prevention, management and resolution;
• Serve as focal point between Africa CDC and Office of the Legal Counsel;
• Provide legal advice on the interpretation of legal texts relating to administrative and institutional matters;
• Liaise with the Office of the Legal Counsel in negotiating Agreements where Africa CDC is a party;
• Follow up agreements with partners as well as with the Office of the Legal Counsel;
• Perform any other relevant functions as may be assigned by the Supervisor;

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Master's Degree in Law with emphasis in the area of Global Health Law, Public Health Law, Public International Law, Administrative Law, Labor Law or equivalent with seven (7) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) at a expert level in a legal position within an academic institution, a government or international organization, OR
• University Bachelor's Degree in Law with emphasis in the area of Public International Law, Administrative Law, Labor Law or equivalent with at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) years of relevant work experience should be at a expert level  in a legal position within an academic institution, a government or international organization..
• Relevant work experience refers to a progressively responsible experience in legal practice or related area, at least one of which should be in an international setting.  More specifically, the candidate should be experienced in the provision of legal advisory services in an organization dealing with multilateral issues, Ministries of Health/Departments of Justice/International Affairs or Cooperation of Member States, or such other relevant organizations and institutions.   
• Experience in providing legal advice and counsel to public health or related public sector programmes, of which 3 years at a specialist/expertise level.

Required Skills:
Functional Skills:

• Knowledge of legal policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting
• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations in individual and team setting
• Demonstrable skills in issue identification, opinion formulation, and in documenting conclusions and recommendations.
• Demonstrable legal writing skills and other writing skills to prepare responses for inquiries, reports, proposals, etc.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• General knowledge of office administrative support procedures and processes.
• Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications and experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word.
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish) is required. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage.

Personal Abilities:

• Ability to work under pressure, stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem solving abilities.
• Proven ability to use clear, concise language in correspondence as well as including content fitting for the purpose and audiences when preparing written briefs and reports.
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.

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 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$ 22,932.00 (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
17th January, 2022.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online