Legal Officer - Institutional and General Legal Affairs 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: Legal Officer - Institutional and General Legal Affairs

Requisition ID: 1518
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Principal  Legal Officer - Institutional and General Legal Affairs
Directorate: Office of the Legal Counsel 
Division: Institutional and General Legal Affairs Section
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To provide technical support for the Institutional and General Legal Affairs Division of the African Union Commission.

Main Functions

• Assists in the following up on the activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Suggests new and expand on existing policy areas for planned research.
• Contributes in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AU’s internal use.
• Assists in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area.
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas.
• Participates in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders.
• Engages with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.
• Assists in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division
• Provides technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice to senior Officers, teams within OLC, the LC, and to stakeholders
• Contributes to legal or policy analyses and publications.
• Assists in developing and implementing capacity building and training programmes.
• Contributes to standard-setting, through participating in meetings, drafting work and promoting international standards.
• Participates in the organization of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders
• Engages with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop relationships
• Contributes to the day-to-day administrative management of the Division
• Assists in following up on the activities of the Division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan. 
• Assists senior colleagues in servicing Policy Organs.
• Assists with the preparation of seminars and symposia, and presentations on various legal issues at such events. 
• Provides guidance to more junior staff.
• Performs other ad hoc duties as assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Law with a minimum of five (5) years postgraduate releavant work experience. 

OR 

• Master's Degree in Law with a minimum of two (2) years relevant work experience. 

Required Skills:

• Communication ability both orally and in writing.
• Analytical skills.
• Ability to work across business units / geographies; cultural sensitivity
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Spanish and Arabic);  fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management.
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Accountability awareness and Compliance.
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing:
• Drive for result..
• Continuous Improvement Focus

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$  31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$  22,932.00   (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
12th December, 2022.