Senior Policy Officer, Policy Analysis and Research (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 of:

Job Title: Senior Policy Officer, Policy Analysis and Research (AUC-PCRD)

Requisition ID: 966
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Reports to: Principal Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation
Directorate / Department: African Union Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD)
Job Grade: P5
Division: Programme and Research
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To spearhead the development and dissemination of research products in respect to the AU’s PCRD and peacebuilding initiatives, programmes and projects and provide management with strategic analysis and guidance on a wide range of policies and programmes affecting the mandate of the AUC-PCRD.
• The incumbent will review and provide advice on the impact of the AU PCRD Policy framework implementation, which includes continuing data analysis, trending, forecasting and financial modelling relating to outcomes and impact.  

Main Functions

• Through innovative research and data analysis, provide analysis and advice on a wide range of policies and programmes affecting the implementation of the AU PCRD Policy framework.
• Provide advice on outcomes and impact, which includes continuing data analysis, trending, forecasting and financial modelling relating to utilisation and cost of services.
• Assess the performance and effectiveness of existing programmes, researching best practice, and proposing options and recommendations for future direction and use the requisite expertise to research, plan, design and conduct various complex analyses, work on special project and studies, interpret the results, develop reports and create presentations to inform decision-making by management.
• Advise and support senior management by initiating research products with a view to informing the development of policies, strategies, alternatives, issues, systems and guidelines to guide the implementation of the AU PCRD Policy framework.
• Through innovation research, contribute to policy development and influence policy discussions at continental and global levels by providing substantive technical written inputs that consolidate and advance understanding of the AUC-PCRD’s work.
• Through policy analysis and research, provide technical support and guidance to the AUC-PCRD in defining actions and developing synergies with existing policies required to successfully implement the AU’s commitments set forth in Agenda 2063, other existing policy instruments and in relevant decisions and declarations from Policy Organs.
• Prepare substantive inputs (quality briefings, discussion papers and policy documents) into key strategic AU documents and ahead of statutory technical and consultative and other officially approved meetings through comprehensively analysing and researching issues under review as well as the political, social and economic situation on the continent and in Member States from a gender perspective.
• Stay abreast of developments in the field of policy research and practice; develop, manage and implement research activities in support of the AU’s research and policy analysis agenda.
• Implement initiatives that boost sharing of experiences and cross-organisational learning and strategy design to advance the PCRD and peacebuilding agenda and ensure all issues are comprehensively addressed.

Specific Responsibilities

• Undertake research and collect data on issues related to PCRD and peacebuilding, facilitate the collection and exchange of information and prepare various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. and draft, collate and edit specified inputs for all reports and documentation.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the AU Commission, Member States and Regional Economic Communities/Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) in defining actions and developing synergies with existing policies required to successfully implement the AU’s commitments set forth in Agenda 2063.
• Stay abreast of developments in the field of policy research and practice; develop, manage and implement research activities in support of the AU PCRD Policy’s mandate.
• Develop policy materials that will guide the design and implementation of advocacy and outreach efforts within the AU family.
• Analyse annual plans of work within the AU Commission, RECs/RMs and Member States to identify key entry points for collaboration and support on policy issues; and organise policy related consultations and dialogue; informed by best practices and lessons learned, track progress, the lack thereof and prevailing risks and threats and provide guidance on strategies to further the AU’s PCRD and peacebuilding agenda.
• Assist in the drafting of funding applications and funding reports and prepare substantive policy guidance notes, deliver presentations and contribute to advocacy and communications materials highlighting trends and developments on PCRD and peacebuilding at continental, regional and national levels.
• Design/implement required research for formulating appropriate interventions, preparing terms of references, identifying consultants and giving them appropriate guidance for project identification, formulation, monitoring, and evaluation missions.
• Organise experts meetings, workshops and panel discussions to gather knowledge on emerging issues and trends and examine implementation of AU policy commitments to PCRD and peacebuilding.
• Identify and advise on entry points for new initiatives for the AUC-PCRD to strengthen national and local capacities.
• Liaise with key stakeholders from Member States, RECs/RMs, the academia, civil society at national and continental level; private sector and key international actors to build and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on PCRD and peacebuilding initiatives.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for collaboration.
• Coordinate, as needed, with the AU Commission, other AU specialised technical agencies that have complementary mandates through participating in working-level mechanisms for PCRD and peacebuilding within the context of AU PCRD Policy framework implementation.
• Coordinate with relevant national, regional and global institutions and non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, the private sector, the media and the academia, faith-based organisations and traditional authorities among others.
• Participate in national and/or regional meetings and/or global, workshops and training programmes relevant to the work of the team in the AUC-PCRD.
• Foster a spirit of high quality results to inspire greater use of AU policy knowledge products within and outside of the organisation.
• Perform any other related tasks as may be directed by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, Humanities, Development Studies, Sociology Gender Studies, Law, Human Rights, Monitoring and Evaluation or similar studies with a minimum of 7 years of working experience and applied knowledge in the areas of gender, peace and security, out of which three (3) must be a supervisory level.

Or

• Master's Degree in the above relevant field with 7 years of relevant experience and applied knowledge in the areas of gender, peace and security, out of which three (3) must be a 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.
• Proven experience of programme management methodologies and practice. Excellent analytical, problem solving and strategic thinking skills. Advanced knowledge of planning, monitoring and evaluation methodologies. Ability to synthesise and help stakeholders identify strategic priorities in complex work programmes.

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.

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.

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.

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