Country Review Officer - Corporate Governance (APRM) 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: Country Review Officer - Corporate Governance (APRM)

Requisition ID: 1656
Location: Midrand, South Africa
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular
Organization: African Union
Division: Country Review and Assessment
Reports to: Senior Country Review Officer – Corporate Governance
Directorate/Department/Organ: African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)

Purpose of Job

• The Country Review Officer for Corporate Governance (CG) is responsible for working with the Senior Country Review Officer for Corporate Governance in providing and supporting the Directorate, Country reviews and assessments with high analytical expertise, up to date information and technical expertise with respect to corporate Governance in all African Union Member states in preparation of and support to country reviews, including their compliance with agreed norms and standards contained in the Declaration on Political, Economic and Corporate Governance.

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 expands 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. Prepares the relevant documentations.
• Engages with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships. Supports 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

• Compiling data and information on the private sector, including formal and informal sectors in individual African Union Member States, particularly, business environment and ethics, the economic and social performance of corporations, behavioral practices of corporate Managers, etc.
• Assisting with the development of appropriate indicators relevant to the measurement of Corporate Governance based on standards and codes implied in the Declaration on Political, Economic and corporate Governance;
• Undertaking qualitative and quantitative research and analysis on the contribution of the private sector- formal and informal- to overall economic and social development of countries under review,
• Preparing, in cooperation with Country Review Officers, country briefs, Background Papers and Issues Papers on the situation of the private sector, in preparation of reviews undertaken in participating countries,
• Undertaking research activities aimed at developing further indicators of Corporate Governance in the African context.
• Participating in the selection of experts in Corporate Governance to be recruited as team members of the Country Review Mission (CRM);
• Participating in the country review process by providing the CRM with relevant corporate governance thematic expertise
• Liaising with relevant stakeholders including formal and informal sector companies in member states to advance corporate governance principles and practices.
• Organise technical meetings with stakeholders in the area of corporate governance
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Contributes to activities related to budget funding proposals, (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports.
• Performs other duties as required

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Law, Companies Law, Private / Public Sector Management, Business Administration, Business Sciences, or related fields and  5 years of relevant work experience/ or
• Master's Degree in Law, Companies Law, private /public sector management, Business administration, Business sciences, or related fields and, 2 years of relevant work experience.

Required Skills:

• Be familiar with the purpose and objectives of the APRM process as a whole and specifically with the thematic areas of APRM review;
• Proven experience of relevant professional experience to help countries and/or companies improve their standards of corporate governance;
• Demonstrate ability for team work;
• Have a full knowledge of computer systems, including internet navigation and main Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrate excellent analytical skills and drafting ability.

 
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

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.

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 US$ 31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), a Housing allowance of US$ 21,832.68 (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
2nd May, 2023.