Political Officer (Peace Support Operation - PSO) 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: Political Officer (Peace Support Operation - PSO)

Requisition ID: 1541
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: SPO, Training, Eval, Doctrine and planning 
Directorate: Political Affairs, Peace & Security (PAPS) 
Division: Peace and Support Operation 
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To provide technical support for the advancement of the work of the AU in priority areas of conflict management  

Main Functions

• Undertakes follow up on the activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Suggests new and expands on existing policy areas for planned research.
• Provides support for setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area.
• Coordinates 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.
• Produces draft reports and participates in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division

Specific Responsibilities

• Participates in the daily activities of the PSOD and maintain up-to-date knowledge of events relating to international and regional political, security, stabilization and economic developments in general, and as they affect AUC PSOs
• Drafts a various documents such as report, background notes and briefing notes to the management and senior officials as directed by Head
• Monitors and analyses developments and activities of PSOs, including relations with regional organizations, Member States, Police/Troop Contributing Countries and other stakeholders  
• Monitors political, security, Stabilization, humanitarian, socio-economic and other relevant developments in AU PSOs mandated and authorized by the AU Peace and Security Council
• Prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries (oral and written) of parties, troop/police contributors, members of the Peace and Security Council, 
• Collects and coordinates information/inputs from RECs/RMs, the United Nations, and other concerned stakeholders
• Responds to various requests from AU PSOs and prepare related correspondence as required
• Provides support in the creation of a databases which track project progress, and provide and keep updated other information relevant to the assigned area, including on implementation of PSO mandates
• Attends and organizes relevant meetings such as working groups, and prepare notes of the meetings.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Public Law, International Law, Conflict Prevention and Resolution or any other related Social Science Studies with 5 years relevant experience.

Or

• Master's Degree in similar studies with 2 years relevant experience.  

Required Skills:

• Management and administrative skills 
• Communication and report writing skills 
• Research and analytical skills 
• Planning and organizational skills 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite and AU computing systems 
• Ability to work in teams and in a multi-cultural setting 
• Knowledge and operational understanding of AU policies, standards and systems 
• Knowledge in international relations 
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills
• 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:

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

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving

Job Knowledge and information sharing:

• Drive for Results
• 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), a Housing allowance of 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.