Senior Policy Officer, Partnerships (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: Senior Policy Officer, Partnerships (AUC-PCRD)

Requisition ID: 965
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Reports to: Principal Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation
Directorate/Department: African Union Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD)
Division: Programme and Research
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• The African Union (AU), established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa's rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African states as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located at Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.
• In seeking to achieve these objectives, the AU intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver, by among others, on peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction and development mandates through its Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Policy frameworks and other related policies and decisions. 
• Through the AU Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD) located in Cairo, Egypt, it is expected that its programmatic interventions will consolidate peace in the continent.
• The mandate of the AUC-PCRD is to provide technical support towards the implementation of the AU PCRD Policy framework, which calls for timeliness, effectiveness and coordination of activities in post-conflict countries and a strong foundation for social justice and sustainable peace, in line with Africa’s vision to become a conflict-free continent.
• It serves as the AU’s specialised technical agency for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of PCRD and peacebuilding programmes, projects and other related initiatives in Africa. With the operationalisation of the AUC-PCRD, the intention is to streamline the work of the AU Commission through systematic collaboration, division of work and the increase of positive impact for AU Member States.
• The AU Commission is now seeking to fill in the position of Senior Policy Officer, Partnerships, who will provide strategic direction and leadership in coordinating the partnership operations of the AUC-PCRD in order to achieve the AU’ strategic objectives and goals.

Main Functions

• Within delegated authority, Senior Policy Officer, Partnerships, will be responsible for the following main duties:
• Develop and execute the overall partnership strategy for the AUC-PCRD and ensure alignment with overall AU organisational strategy.
• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of policies, strategies and programmes jointly taken with internal and external stakeholders to contribute to the effective implementation by the AUC-PCRD of relevant AU Policy Organs Decisions.
• Build and maintain good working relations and collaboration with the AU Commission, RECs/RMs and Member States. 
• Develop and maintain regular working relations with senior stakeholders in partner institutions and coordinate meetings between the organisation and relevant partners.

Specific Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, Senior Policy Officer, Partnerships, will be responsible for the following specific duties:
• Conduct research on opportunities for partner engagement in support of the delivery of the AUC-PCRD’s mandate and objectives.
• Implement and maintain thematic partnerships in support of the mandate of the AUC-PCRD and develop and oversee policy development and guidelines in line with the organisation’s legal framework.
• Design policies and strategies of the AUC-PCRD that are consistent with the AU’s strategic partnership goals and mandate in order to address the organisation’s mandate.
• Prepare and oversee integrated programmes, projects and overall activities of the AUC-PCRD and manage risks, develop mitigation measures and ensure business continuity.
• Coordinate and manage the various partnerships entered at multilateral level and coordinate overall resource mobilisation aimed at boosting efforts towards the implementation of the AU Agenda 2063.
• Coordinate the operationalisation of the Partnerships Management Information System for effective management and linkage with all AU stakeholders.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders for effective communication and information dissemination on all partnerships.
• Conduct research on opportunities for partner engagement in support of the delivery of the AUC-PCRD’s mandate and objectives.
• Monitor, valuate, follow up and report on all AUC-PCRD partnership initiatives and promote Africa’s common agenda.
• Ensure effective coordination and harmonisation of all partners’ related activities with the AUC-PCRD.
• Engage with African Diplomatic Corps in capitals/cities of countries/regions where the AUC-PCRD has strategic partnerships.
• Operationalise the AU Commission Resource Mobilization and Financing and Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategies for Agenda 2063 and the AU PCRD Policy framework implementation.
• Facilitate regular dialogue between the AUC-PCRD, the AU Commission and partners at different levels (political, policy, technical).
• Ensure that interventions and support programmes by partners are in line with AUC-PCRD’s approved priorities. 
• Prepare and oversee integrated programmes of overall activities of the AUC-PCRD.
• Any other related assignments as may be assigned by the supervisor. 

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or other relevant fields with at least 7 years’ of progressively experience and applied knowledge in policy design and performance monitoring in the areas of DDR, out of which three (3) must be at expert level. 
• Candidates with Bachelor’s Degree would be considered provided they poses 10 years in the above relevant fields of study with 3 years at expert level.
• Experience in strategic planning development and programme and project design using results framework is desirable. 
• Previous work experience in a peace operation and/or in a conflict or post-conflict context with knowledge of and strong networks within multilateral institutions and policymaking, as well as of the broader policy development and implementation system. 
• Must have good knowledge of the African context and thorough conceptual knowledge and practice of the AU PCRD Policy and peacebuilding discourse. 
• Must have proven track record of outstanding report writing and oral communication abilities. 

Required Skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work across business units / geographies; cultural sensitive environment.
• 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 and information 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 (48% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$  19,103.64  (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
28th February, 2022.

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