Country Review - Socio-Economic Development, Gender Officer (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 - Socio-Economic Development, Gender Officer (APRM)

Requisition ID: 1655
Location: Midrand, South Africa
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular
Division: Country Review and Assessment
Directorate/Department/Organ: African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
Reports to: Senior Country Review Officer – Socio-Economic Development, Gender Officer

Purpose of Job

• The Country Review Officer for Socio-Economic development and Gender (SEDG) is responsible for working with the Senior Country Review officer for Socio-Economic Development and Gender in providing the Directorate, Country reviews and assessments with high analytical expertise to carry out competent assessment of the social and economic development and gender situation in individual African countries, 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

• Providing up to date information on countries preparing for or engaged in review processes with respect to their economic and social development policies, including measures aimed at achieving broad-based sustainable development, and poverty eradication.    
• Assisting with the development and implementation of gender mainstreaming programmes as part of APRM country review processes and in the implementation of National Programs of Action;
• Reviewing and maintaining information on standards and codes listed in the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance, as they relate to Socio-Economic Development and Gender in individual African countries;
• Assisting with the development of indicators related to Socio-Economic Development and Gender, including
• Undertaking qualitative and quantitative research and analysis on socio-economic development and gender in APRM countries, and designing and conducting gender analyses and gender assessments;
• Providing technical support with a view to deepening gender integration and mainstreaming in APRM processes, activities and programs;
• Providing technical assistance and support in areas such as designing and conducting gender analyses and assessments, and developing toolkits, resource guides, and other technical resources related to APRM’s five governance areas.
• Designing and facilitating meetings, trainings, and workshops, using participatory methodologies and approaches;
• Developing and deepening innovative approaches to gender integration, gender equality, and inclusive governance and coordinating projects and teams working on gender activities;
• Assisting with organising the compilation of relevant data and information on such aspects as policies to promote sustainable development, building productive capacity, eradicate poverty, unemployment, access to essential goods and services and gender;
• Assisting with organising the provision of necessary inputs to the preparatory process of country reviews, as they relate to economic and social development and gender, including drafting of relevant documents such as country profiles, Background Papers, and Issues Paper;
• Participating in the selection of experts for the area of Socio-Economic Development and Gender to be recruited as team members of the Country Review Mission (CRM);
• Participating in the country review process and provide the CRM with relevant expertise on socio-economic and gender matters;
• Assisting with organising, preparing and providing the necessary inputs to the workshops, seminars, etc on experiences sharing as they relate to the objectives of socio-economic development and Gender Mainstreaming.
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Contributing 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 Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Economics, Management or related fields with 5 years relevant work experience. Supervisory experience not mandatory but added advantage

Or

• Master's Degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Economics, Management or related fields with 2 years relevant work experience. Supervisory experience not mandatory but added advantage.

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;
• Knowledge of Au Agenda 2063 and important African and International Gender Frameworks including CEDAW, Maputo Protocol
• Demonstrate ability for team work and ability to work in multi-cultural environments;
• 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 Results
• 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
17th April, 2023.