Executive Secretary (AUC-PCRD) 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: Executive Secretary (AUC-PCRD)

Requisition ID: 961
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Reports to: Director, Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate
Directorate/Department: African Union Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD)
Division: Office of the Executive Secretary
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P6
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Overall management and supervision of the AUC-PCRD as well as the design of strategies and policies relevant to the AU-PCRD and engagement of relevant stakeholders. Provide overall strategic and managerial guidance to ensure optimal execution of the AUC-PCRD’s PCRD and peacebuilding mandates.

Main Functions

• Spearhead the development, programming and implementation oversight of PCRD and peacebuilding interventions, including overall policy and legal frameworks, implementation strategies, operational modalities and action plans, taking into account continental, regional and national programme priorities and targets.
• Oversee the preparation of analytical work, partnerships, resource mobilisation and advocacy products including providing leadership to technical teams within the AUC-PCRD, based on a consultative partnership approach underpinned by adaptability, innovation and responsiveness.
• Oversee resource mobilization strategies and ensure that all PCRD and peacebuilding programmes, projects and initiatives are implemented steadily and successfully.
• Oversee financial management and budgeting for all expenditures within the AUC-PCRD and peacebuilding portfolios, ensuring that all approved budgets are adhered to, and ensure prudent financial management and budgeting for all expenditures within the AUC-PCRD’s portfolios.

Specific Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and implementation of the AUC-PCRD’s initiatives, programmes and projects and ensure implementation and follow-up on annual work plans and decisions of AU Policy Organs in respect to AU PCRD Policy implementation.
• Provide strategic oversight on PCRD and peacebuilding initiatives and actions designed to prevent relapse and consolidate peace in the continent and propose appropriate policy responses and methods of managing conflicts.
• Conceptualize the working methods and approaches of the AUC-PCRD and establish relationships with relevant PCRD and/or relevant peacebuilding task forces and AU Liaison Offices and relevant specialized technical agencies, Regional Economic Communities/Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and Policy Organs and other related entities.
• Oversee the development of short-, medium and long-term implementation and monitoring plans, set priorities and performance measures towards the achievement of PCRD and peacebuilding implementation targets.
• Design strategies and policies consistent with the AUC-PCRD’s goal and supervise the design and plan policy programmes to achieve these strategies.
• Work with the RECs/RMs, Member States and international development partners, as well as PCRD, peacebuilding and humanitarian actors for the development of joint programmes and interventions and coordinate activities and ensure timely delivery of set goals and objectives; and develop new and review activities as components of these strategies and policies.
• Represent the AUC-PCRD and explain its position at statutory meetings, conference and roundtable dialogue sessions.
• Mobilise resources for execution of programmes and activities; and manage risk and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Manage the work of the AUC-PCRD and supervise direct reports to ensure their effective performance as per the organisation’s performance management policy and system.
• Create an inspiring work environment to enable Staff development and professional progression.
• Undertake any other assignments and tasks as requested by the top management in the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department. Such assignments may involve working with teams and/or Staff within or outside the AUC-PCRD.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Diplomacy, Law, International Law, International Human Rights Law, Human Rights, Human Rights Law, Economics, Public Administration, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Peace And Conflict Studies, Security Studies or any other related disciplines. A higher qualification will be an added advantage.
• With fourteen (14) years progressive relevant experience which 7 years should be at managerial level and 5 at supervisory level.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead policy discussions at high levels and in competitive environments with the aim to advocate, promote organisational priorities, initiatives and increase understanding of the organisational agenda.
• Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail while keeping track of overall key performance indicators. Ability to self-motivate, motivate team and develop and maintain relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders

Required Skills:

• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally.
• Ability to develop and delegate clear programme goals, plans and actions, including budgets, that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate Staff.
• 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 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 Sharing;
• Drive for Results
• 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.

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$ 61,023.00  (P6 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (48% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 21,196.80 (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
21st February, 2022.

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