Senior Legal Officer (AfCHPR) 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: Senior Legal Officer (AfCHPR)

Requisition ID: 1577
Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Reports to: Registrar 
Directorate/Department: Registry of the African Court
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Regular 

Purpose of Job

• To provide operational leadership support to the Court on legal issues.

Main Functions

• Responsible for case management.
• Reviews briefs and sources submitted by parties.
• Monitors and reviews the Rules of the Court, practice directions and other internal instruments of the Court.
• Is focal point for networking activities and organises meetings, seminars, workshops and other promotional activities of the Court.
• Coordinates the work of other staff.

Specific Responsibilities

• Carries out legal analysis of judgments and submissions.
• Prepares the draft minutes, memoranda and decisions of the Court, and where necessary, attends Court sessions.
• Carries out legal research and prepare presentations in international law in general, legislation and jurisprudence of international courts.
• Provides legal opinions and makes concrete recommendations on issues concerning the Court.
• Prepares draft concept notes, work plan, agendas, work programmes for activities of the Court.
• Performs any other duties as required.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s in Law with at least seven (7) years of relevant professional working experience of which three (3) should be at expert level, preferably in an international organization or in a judicial institution.

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law with at least ten (10) years of relevant professional working experience of which three (3) should be at expert level, preferably in an international organization or in a judicial institution
• Specialization in public international law will be an added advantage.
• Perfect command of Portuguese Language is prefered.
• Knowledge of one or several other African Union working Languages will be an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Leadership skills;
• Knowledge of the African human rights system;
• Analytical skills and ability to prepare legal submissions, opinions and motions;
• Ability to work under minimum supervision;
• Public relations and communication;
• Capacity to manage a multicultural team;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Drafting and argumentative skills in one of the African Union working languages;
• Planning and organizational skills;
• Computer literacy.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Accountable and Complies with Rules
• 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 (42% of basic salary), a Housing allowance of US$ 19,530.00 (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
26th January, 2023.