Protocol Officer (ECOSOCC) 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: Protocol Officer (ECOSOCC)

Requisition ID: 1979
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Reports to: Executive Secretary
Directorate/Department/Organ: ECOSOCC
Job Grade: P1
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Protocol Officer shall have responsible for all protocol related liaison and facilitation matters within the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).

Main Functions
The Protocol Officer will:

• Be in charge of the practical implementation of the relevant provisions of Treaties on the Additional Protocol on privileges and immunities and the Host Agreement signed between the Government of Zambia and the AU Commission for the ECOSOCC.
• Ensure the practical implementation of all procedures linked to protocol processes, Staff Regulations and Rules, and other administrative guidelines.

Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure that issues on privileges and immunities of the ECOSOCC and its officials and staff are handled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the above-mentioned Treaties.
• Provide the necessary advice on protocol-related issues to the AU and its constituents in accordance with diplomatic norms, especially with regards to privileges and immunities.
• Maintain a close working relationship with relevant authorities of the Host Country with a view to updating the Executive Secretary and the relevant AUC Department on the challenges faced in the practical implementation of some provisions of the host agreement.
• Initiate and follow up on requests for diplomatic privileges and immunities from Zambia authorities on behalf of the ECOSOCC and its staff members and officials.
• Co-ordinate requests for import/export permits for vehicles and other goods and personal effects for the ECOSOCC and its staff.
• Facilitate issuance of administrative and legal documents on behalf of officials and staff (resident IDs, Visas, etc).
• Facilitate the separation procedures of officials and staff from the services of the AU-ECOSOCC.
• Receive, evaluate, and process requests of officials and staff for diplomatic privileges and immunities, thereby facilitating the provision of related information and benefits.
• Handle ceremonies and official functions.
• Contribute to and engage in the periodic review of the AU Protocol Manual.
• Make a periodic review of the Diplomatic List of AU Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Foreign/External Affairs, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, and Heads of International Organizations.
• Provide advice on policies and procedures regarding the appropriate use of the AU flag as well as the flags of Member States.
• Ensure that AU and Member States’ flags, nameplates, anthems are procured and properly kept.
• Prepare and update the country profiles of Member States of the AU.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, Diplomacy, or any of the Social Science disciplines with courses in International Relations and Diplomacy and at least two (2) years relevant work experience, preferably in an international working environment.
• Training in Protocol and Etiquette will be a preferred advantage.
• Higher academic or professional qualifications in the above-mentioned or related fields within the Social Sciences will be an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Ability to work in a multicultural setting, in good team spirit.
• Good management and leadership capabilities.
• Very good planning and time management skills.
• Excellent diplomacy and international relations skills.
• Ability to negotiate and to persuade.
• Computer literacy, especially (MS office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Good policy development and analytical skills.
• Very strong skills in drafting.
• Ability to make routine decisions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work across business units/geographies in a culturally sensitive environment.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, or Spanish), fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

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, with the first twelve months considered as a probationary period.
• 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 USD25,523.00 (P1 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements (e.g., Post adjustment - 44% of basic salary, Housing allowance - US$ 16,819.80 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
23rd November, 2023 (11h59 p.m. EAT)