Head of Medical Support Services 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: Head of Medical Support Services

Requisition ID: 1781
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Director
Directorate/Department/Organ: Medical and Health Services
Division : Medical Support Services
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 14
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular 

Purpose of Job

• To provide technical leadership for the supervision and management for the effective performance of the Radiology, Pharmacy and Laboratory Units.

Main Functions

• Manages the work of the Division and supervises direct reports to ensure their effective performance as per organization’s Performance Management policy and system;
• Designs strategies and policies consistent with the Department’s goal in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area;
• Contributes to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensure implementation at division level;
• Manages risk within the division and recommend mitigation strategies
• Designs and plans policy programs to achieve the strategies;
• Develops new and reviews activities as components of the strategies and policies;
• Addresses problems in arising to current approaches to relevant area.
• Engages stakeholders within Members States and RECs in designing and implementing strategies;
• Represents the organisation and explain its position at conferences;
• Mobilises funding from all donors to use to execute strategies and activities.
• Contributes to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at division level.
• Creates an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.

Specific Responsibilities

• Supervises and manages the employees of the Division with regard to organisation and performance evaluation.
• Designs strategies and policies consistent with the AU’s goal in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area.
• Prioritizes Medical programs and priorities, set the direction for Division’s activities, plans, priorities, and workflows in Radiology, Pharmacy and Laboratory Units respectively.
• Coordinates the activities of the different Units to support the expert clinical care of MHSD clients.
• Represents the Department in all meetings related to health issues and report back on issues discussed and on action required to the immediate supervisor.
• Ensures overall management of the Division; including performance, quality assurance, staff issues and budget related matters of all units under him/ her.
• Provides input into the recruitment of Division/MHSD staff as required.
• Set performance standards for self and staff, conduct performance appraisals on schedule and resolve intra unit conflicts.
• Produces and submits periodic reports on activities and specific missions.
• Participates in the upgrade of the AU Medical and Health Services Directorate in respect of Equipment, Diagnostic technologies and Continuous Medical Education.
• Oversees the continuing medical education programs for Medical Staff and training of Clinical Attaches and Interns within the Division.
• Participates in the development and delivery of health promotion, disease prevention and occupational Health and Safety programs of the Directorate (including HIV and AIDS in the workplace).
• Participates in programs of AU Medical Services Directorate in respect to technical advice to AU Regional Offices, Organs and AU Field Missions.
• Ensures overall management of the Division; budget management, monitoring, analysis, evaluation of staff performance, grievance and progressive discipline, and fiscal needs in conformity with the relevant rules and procedures
• Performs any other duties as may be assigned by his immediate supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Must have a Degree in Medicine (MD or MBBS plus BMBCh) with 12 years post qualification relevant work experience within a government hospital or private practice, or an International organization which 7 years should be at managerial level and 5 years at supervisory level
• Must have specialization in one of these specialties: Laboratory Medicine, Radiology or Clinical Pharmacology (mandatory).
• Must be a Member/ MMED of a professional Regional Postgraduate Medical College of Pathologists, Radiologists or Pharmacologists) with Ten (10) years work experience, including 5 years as Head of Department.

OR

• Fellow of a professional Regional Postgraduate Medical College of Pathologists, Radiologists or Pharmacologists) with Eight (7) years work experience in a clinical role, including 3 years as Head of Department.
• Must be licensed to practice medicine as a specialist in Laboratory Medicine/ Radiology/ Pharmacology in his/her home country or country of residence, as at the time of application (mandatory).
• Experience as head of a clinical unit, section, service or department will be an advantage.
• Documented training in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

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, including budgets, that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff;
• Working knowledge of policy analysis, and program / project management;
• Interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others and work in a multicultural environment;
• Report writing and presentation skills;
• Planning and organization skills;
• Scientific communication abilities as evidenced by scientific /other publications;
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

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

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 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.

Gender Mainstreaming

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$  26,208.00  (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 June, 2023.