Executive Secretary to ACERWC 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 Organization 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 to ACERWC

Requisition ID: 1482
Location:  Maseru, Lesotho
Reports to: Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
Directorate / Department: Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development 
Division: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Number of Direct Reports: 7
Number of Indirect Reports: 21
Job Grade: P6
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• The African Union, 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 in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
• In seeking to achieve some of these objectives, the African Union established the Secretariat of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).
• The ACERWC is a human rights Organ of the AU with the mandate to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa.
• The Committee was established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), through Article 32 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (The African Children’s Charter) to monitor the implementation of the Charter.
• In view of the above background, the African Union invites qualified and competent applicants who are citizens of Member States of the African Union with relevant skills, competencies and experiences to submit their applications for the position of Executive Secretary at the Secretariat of the ACERWC based in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Main Functions

• Reporting directly to the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development, the Executive Secretary of the ACERWC will be responsible for the overall operations and functions of the Secretariat.

He/she will oversee the strategic direction and organizational leadership of the Secretariat through the following main functions:

• Design strategies and policies consistent with the mandate of ACERWC towards achieving Agenda 2063, the African Children’s Charter and other internationally agreed development goals in order to address the pertinent issues in the area of the right and welfare of children.
• Lead and supervise the design and plan policy programs to achieve these strategies.
• Develop new and review activities as components of these strategies and policies.
• Coordinate departmental activities and ensure timely delivery of goals and objectives.
• Supervise and manage employees to ensure successful performance.
• Represent both the African Union and ACERWC mandate and objectives at conferences.
• Mobilize resources for execution of programmes and activities of the Secretariat.
• Manage risk and recommend mitigation strategies

Specific Responsibilities
As the overall head of the Secretariat to the Africa Committee of Experts on the Rights & Welfare of Children, the incumbent will specifically,

• Lead and coordinate the Secretariat of the Committee and its Members in the exercise of their functions
• Coordinate, supervise and evaluate the work of the staff of the Secretariat
• Follow up and ensure effective implementation of the decisions of the Secretariat
• Coordinate effective design, development and improvement of operational systems
• Coordinate the development of the Secretariat’s plans
• Mobilize resources for implementation of ACERWC programmes and activities and ensure proper management, utilization and accountability of resources
• Coordinate preparation of ACERWC reports and others document to be submitted to the Executive Council and other Policy Organs;
• Maintain effective links and partnership between the Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders including Governments, UN Agencies, donors, Civil Society organizations and other relevant partners
• Plan and lead the undertaking of initiatives in Africa for the promotion and protection of the rights of children as enshrined in the African Children’s Charter.
• Supervise the day to day administrative and financial matters of the Secretariat,
• Supervise the activities of the Deputy Secretary and Principal Officers
• Coordinate timely considerations and finalizations of State Party Reports;
• Ensure that ACERWC Sessions are conducted according to schedules and in a proper manner
• Coordinate the establishment of an effective records management system for ACERWC policies, documents and reports
• Coordinate and supervise the promotional missions of the ACERWC and promote ACEWRC’s visibility and impact
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned.  

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in International Human Rights Law, Child Rights or related field from a recognized educational institution, a higher qualification will be an added advantage;
• A minimum of fourteen (14) years of relevant progressive work experience on child protection or human rights related work, out of which seven (7) years should be at managerial level, with minimum five (5) years involving supervisory responsibility.
• In-depth knowledge of child protection and the African human rights mechanisms in particular will be a must. Exhibiting demonstrable knowledge of the African Union in general is preferred.
• A track-record in leading on the development and implementation of programs and projects focusing on child rights issues at the Continental or International level;
• Experience carrying out similar work in regional or international organizations;
• Proven ability to design and supervise implementation of protection programs and activities;
• Experience working with the African Union and its Mechanisms is mandatory;
• Previous experience with a human rights organization, especially a child rights organization, at a regional, continental or international level.

Required Skills:

• Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and risks
• Excellent writing and research skills and ability to work under pressure in a multicultural office environment is advantage.
• Ability to use strong managerial delegation, political tact and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and work well under pressure
• Ability to actively seek, identify and apply appropriate technology to improve programme delivery
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Fosters Innovation, encourages creativity on the part of others by highlighting the benefits of innovation and change on the overall performance of the organization.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with all stakeholders
• Ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and create an environment where diversity is respected
• Good communication, planning and negotiating skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work autonomously in a multi- cultural environment;
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders;
• Good knowledge and practical use of computer applications; very good ability to swiftly use MS-Office applications, including MS-Word, MS-Excel and MS-PowerPoint..
• Ability to motivate staff and utilize their talents
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight.
• Developing Others
• Change Management..
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture.
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking:
• Job Knowledge and information 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.

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 USD61,023.00 (P6 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), a Housing allowance of USD21,832.68 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of USD10,000.00 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
6th December, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
• Only applications registered online with a complete curriculum vitae (CV) attached will be considered.
• The Africa Union is an equal opportunity employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Gender Mainstreaming: The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.