Senior Legal - Dispute Settlement (AfCFTA) 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 - Dispute Settlement (AfCFTA)

Requisition ID: 1659
Location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: Dispute settlement and legal affairs Director
Directorate/Department : Dispute settlement and legal affairs Directorate (AfCFTA)
Number of Direct Reports: 6
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular 

Purpose of Job

• Provides to resolve disputes in a professional, effective and efficient way, having regard for the law, policies, procedures and good practice.

Main Functions

• Manage end to end case work and new matters involving different kind of disputes
• Assist with the effective management of variable complaint demand by being flexible using a range of dispute resolution processes for high productivity output
• Provide independent information about how to go about resolving their disputes
• Accurately record the details of a dispute and case manage according to AU processes
• Identify key issues arising from a dispute, gather and analyze relevant information (both verbal and written) and decide whether a proposed outcome is in accordance with the law, good practice, and what is fair and reasonable given all the circumstances of the dispute
• Apply dispute resolution frameworks including conciliations and employ negotiation and problem-solving skills to facilitate the appropriate resolution of disputes
• Work with internal and external stakeholders
• Actively contribute to the responsive management of complaint demand and undertake other duties and tasks as and when require
• Responsible for the overall supervision and management of the Division.
• Ensure creation of an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.

Specific Responsibilities

• Serve as secretary to dispute settlement panels and arbitrators in the resolution of trade disputes between AfCFTA States Parties
• Ensure a dispute settlement process that is transparent, accountable, fair, predictable and consistent with the provisions of the AfCFTA Agreement
• Facilitate the resolution of disputes through conciliation, good offices, mediation and arbitration
• Plan and organise the work of the Division
• Assist and support dispute resolution panels and arbitrators, or members of the Appellate Body considering an appeal
• Provide substantive legal advice and research on legal, technical or procedural issues in dispute resolution or appeal proceedings
• Advise the Legal Directorate in the exercise of its functions on dispute resolution issues Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the immediate Supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master's Degree or equivalent in International Law (Public International Law, Law of International Organizations) with Twelve (12) years of relevant and progressively more responsible experience in the field of legal.
• Seven (7) of these years should be at senior management level and five (5) should involve a supervisory role

Required Skills:

• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally
• Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans and actions, that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
• High degree of independence, maturity and initiative
• Ability to handle challenging questions and difficult stakeholders
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work
• Be flexible, adaptable and open to change
• Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage;

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

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.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$  50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 27,290.88.00 (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
8th March, 2023.