Principal Science Officer (AfCDC) 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: Principal Science Officer (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 2027
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Job Grade: P4
Reports to: Head, Science and Innovation
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Science and Innovation

Purpose of Job

• The Principal Science Officer is responsible for establishing the ethical and technical frameworks and procedures under-pinning the scientific activities of the agency, advising other agency leaders on integrating these frameworks and processes into activities and programmes and facilitating related staff training and compliance to established scientific protocols.

Main Functions

• The Principal Science Officer position involves the following main functions that are generally applicable for this category:
• Take technical and intellectual lead in the management of various elements related to the area of expertise
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the Office’s support to Africa CDC.
• Provide support in the development of the strategies and business continuity plan and participate in/ensure their implementation
• Foster and ensure implementation of initiatives related to area of specialization;
• Provide support in the organization of thematic networks, consultations and meetings on development cooperation and international relations.
• Develop materials and provide necessary training and support to Organization Units as required.
• Provide technical guidance on matters relating to system review and implementation project in area of specialization, as required.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide advice on scientific quality assurance programmes, such as project peer review procedures, and human subject protocols, assures research projects are closed out in compliance with agency procedures and monitor other agency procedures related to ensuring quality science in research activities.
• Support Africa CDC Chief Scientist to initiate and coordinate scientific and technical research projects in collaboration with Member States and international partners through Africa RCCs.
• Provide long-range plans, advise the Africa CDC Chief Scientist to direct and evaluate the agency’s research and professional programs for the development of scientific personnel, develop policy for strengthening staff and scientific expertise and facilitate collaborative activities within the agency, across RCC’s and their constituent organizations.
• Support the implementation of Africa CDC policies to establish or strengthen existing Infectious Diseases (HIV, TB, Malaria,, etc.) surveillance and control programs in Member States.
• Support activities under the Division of Infectious  Disease Control and Prevention by carrying out a variety of services and programmatic activities in the area of Infectious Diseases epidemiology and surveillance and related public health program.
• Liaise with donors, partners and other stakeholders to ensure communication on Infectious Disease activities and explore potential synergies with other ongoing projects and support the development and implementation of strategy to raise profile and scale.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of Infectious Disease prevention and control programmes implemented by the Division of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention.
• Conduct needs assessments such as desktop reviews and interviews with African Member States to determine the level of implementation of any existing control and prevention programmes on the African continent.
• Work with Member States to strengthen health management information systems to improve Africa CDC’s Infectious Disease health-related data through coordination, collaboration, and technical assistance.
• Undertake any other duties/responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Candidates must have a Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Science, or Health-Services Research and ten (10) years of experience in supporting and/or leading public health or public health research programs out of which six (6) and three (3) years need to be at managerial and supervisory levels respectively.

OR

• Candidates must have a University Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Science, or Health-Services Research and twelve (12) years of experience in supporting and/or leading public health or public health research programmes, out of which six (6) and three years should be at expert and supervisory level.
• Strong scientific management and technical expertise related to all applicable functional areas
• Expert knowledge and relevant experience in management of epidemiology, health services or outcomes research within a government agency or academic institution or research organization within a public health context.  Applicable and relevant private-sector experience within a research organization or life-sciences company will also be considered.  
• Demonstrated expertise in public health and/or clinical outcomes research (such as, but not limited to, retrospective or prospective case-control and cohort studies, observational studies, clinical-economic modeling and analysis, /meta-analysis), including interpreting statistical analysis and reporting of research outcomes is required. 
• Experience in leading public health, epidemiology and outcomes research in different geographic regions, particularly in Africa, is highly desirable. 
• Broad experience in collaborating with research and program partners and in managing multiple tasks and complex projects is expected.
• Demonstrated experience and proven ability to effectively serve and represent organizational scientific interests as a member of a scientific review committee, study group, public health task group, or comparable groups delegated responsibility for reviewing and developing public health scientific policies, procedures and guidelines. 
• Familiarity and practical experience with implementing public health research and programs linked to One Health strategies.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of the theories, concepts, principles, practices, methods and techniques of public health program administration and other aspects of the field of public health in order to resolve tough and critical questions, problems and issues that may not be resolved by traditional methods;
• Mastery of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems;
• Expert knowledge of the principles, concepts, methods and techniques used in the field of international/national public health in order to analyze, evaluate and provide expert advice and consultation in planning, developing and enhancing scientific research and program delivery;
• A record of high-quality, peer-reviewed epidemiology and/or outcomes research publications is required. Experience in training and mentoring staff in the peer-review publication process is highly desirable;
• Ability to identify and quantify requirements to support public health initiatives;
• Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning and evaluation processes;
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and lead effectively in a multicultural and cross-functional team environment;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and by writing, program goals, and objectives, including scientific justification of research and programs and specific requirements;
• Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, including office administration statistical software applications and online digital information systems.
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish) is required. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight.
• Change Management.
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship.
• Accountable and compliant with Rules.
• Learning Orientation 
• Communicating with Influence.
• Functional Competencies
• Conceptual thinking.
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing.
• Drive for Result.
• Continuous improvement orientation.

Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Gender Mainstreaming:

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

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 110,951.49  (P4 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 92,867.97 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
27th November, 2023; 11h59 p.m. EAT.