Senior Editor (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: Senior Editor (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 1550
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Managing Editor
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: JPHIA
Number of Direct Reports: -
Number of Indirect Reports: -
Job Grade: P3
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The Senior Editor is responsible for overseeing the editorial process of publications, ensuring that the content meets the quality standards and deadlines.
• The Senior editor will also assign, edit, and proofread articles, provide feedback and guidance to writings produced within Africa CDC, and coordinate with other editors and staff. 

Main Functions

• Oversee the editorial process for a publication or media outlet. This includes assigning stories, editing articles, and ensuring that all content meets the publication's standards for accuracy, clarity, and style.
• Work with writers and contributors to develop and improve their work. This may involve providing feedback, brainstorming ideas, or helping to shape the overall direction of a story.
• Manage the editorial budget and staff. This includes hiring and firing editors, as well as allocating resources for projects.
• Develop and implement editorial policies and procedures. This ensures that the publication is consistent in its standards and practices.
• Promote the publication and its content. This may involve writing press releases, attending conferences, or giving presentations.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices, to ensure that the publication is providing the best possible content to its readers.

Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure the relevance, scientific quality, scientific integrity, and balance of content for the Journal of Public Health in Africa.
• Manage the journal’s peer-review, copy-editing, and other publication processes to ensure efficient, timely, and high-quality publishing.
• Ensure compliance with the journal’s publishing policies and guidelines.
• Supervise the activities of the journal’s publishing staff and the activities of the editorial board.
• Develop and implement a strategy to promote interest in and influence of the journal through different strategies.
• Coordinate communications with authors, reviewers, and the editorial board, ensuring that they participate actively in the publication process.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Managing Editor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Masters Degree in a relevant discipline, such as Journalism, Mass Communication, Communication, Languages, Media Studies, or related OR
• Bachelor Degree in any of the above or related fields
• The candidate should have at least seven (7) or ten (10) years of experience for Masters or Bachelor Degree level of education respectively, including three (3) years at the expert level in editing academic books, journals, or magazines, with a proven track record of quality and impact.
• Experience in organizations at regional or international level is preferred.
• Strong knowledge and exposure to the subject matter, industry trends, and best practices.

Required Skills:

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with a keen eye for detail, accuracy, and consistency.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Creativity and innovation, with the ability to generate new ideas and approaches.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships.
• Accountable and Complies with Rules.
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking.
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing.
• Drive for Results.
• 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.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
14th December, 2023 (11h59 p.m. EAT)