Senior Legal Officer (Compliance and Monitoring of Judicial Decisions) 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 Legal Officer (Compliance and Monitoring of Judicial Decisions)

Requisition ID: 1008
Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Job grade: P3
Directorate: Registry of the African Court
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Reports to: Principal Legal Officer – Legal Division
Contract type: Fixed-Term position (African Governance Architecture Support Project)

Purpose of Job

• Provide support to the Court and liaison with the AU Policy Organs, Member States and other stakeholders on implementation and execution of the Court’s judicial decisions.

Main Functions

• Develop a manual and guidelines to clarify the procedures and (best) practice related to the implementation of the Court’s judicial decisions.
• Develop targeted policy briefs/ position papers for engagement with Parties, Member States and relevant stakeholders on implementation of the Court’s judicial decisions.
• Develop and maintain an online implementation database to provide up-to-date information to relevant stakeholders about the status of compliance of the Court’s decisions.
• Develop a reporting template on the implementation of the Court’s judicial decisions to provide the format and clarify the type of information required from Parties and other stakeholders.
• Draft decisions or resolutions to be considered by the Court and/or the African Union’s Executive Council, regarding implementation and execution of the Court’s judicial decisions.

Specific Responsibilities

• Prepare periodic studies and reports on the status of implementation of judicial decisions of the Court for use by the Court, the AU Policy Organs and other stakeholders.
• Organize as necessary, consultations, dialogues and public hearings with Parties, Member States and relevant stakeholders on implementation of the Court’s judicial decisions.
• Conduct research on reparations practices and procedures of comparable judicial institutions and of relevant quasi-judicial organs to inform the Court’s policy and guidelines on reparations.
• Liaise with the Secretariat of the Executive Council of the African Union on preparation of concept notes, position papers and studies with regard to the operationalisation of the framework of monitoring execution of the Court’s judicial decisions.
• Perform any other duties as required

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Degree in Law.
• An advanced University Degree in Law with a specialisation in international human rights law will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of eight (8) years relevant professional experience in a similar position, preferably in an international organization.
• Experience in diplomatic service; and
• Thorough demonstrable knowledge of the practice, procedure and case-law of the African human rights system will be an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of the African human rights system and of the African Union’s and Member States’ relevant institutional, legal and operational frameworks, policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of other international human rights courts and quasi-judicial organs;
• Ability to analyse and resolve complex legal questions;
• Highly developed and persuasive communication, listening and presentation skills ;
• Initiative and responsibility, result orientation and sense of continuous improvement, concern for quality and efficiency;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, adaptability and ability to work under pressure in a multi-cultural environment;
• Good planning and organizational skills;
• Proficiency in one of the AU Official working languages. Good knowledge of at least one other language will be an added advantage.
• Computer literacy.

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Responsibility
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge
• Drive for Results
• Innovation and taking initiative

Tenure of Appointment:

• Appointment to this post shall be based on a Fixed Term contract for a period of one year. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for the same period subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The African Court is an equal opportunity employer. For this position, qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration
The overall salary for this post shall be US$ 91,076.17 (grade P3, step 5 International) per year for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 75,354.52 (grade P3, step 5 Local) for locally recruited staff. This global salary includes all allowances.

Application Closing Date
28th March, 2022.