Technical Officer - Emergency Operations Centre Planning (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: Technical Officer - Emergency Operations Centre Planning (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 2054
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: PHEOC Manager
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Centres for Public Health Emergency Management
Job Grade: P2
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Location: Addis Ababa

Purpose of Job

• The Technical Officer- Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Planning is responsible for providing technical support to the Division of Preparedness and Response in the planning, development, and implementation of the EOC.
• This includes developing and maintaining EOC plans and procedures, providing training to EOC staff, and supporting the EOC during public health emergencies.

Main Functions

• Assist in following up on the activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Suggest new and expand on existing policy areas for planned research.
• Contribute to conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and Africa CDC’s internal use.
• Assist in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area.
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas.
• Participate in the organization of relevant meetings, congresses, and conferences with stakeholders.
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division, including preparing leaflets, guidelines, and fact sheets.
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budgets and work programs related to the functioning of the Unit/Division.
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain EOC plans and procedures.
• Design and implement technical solutions for the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) planning in the Division of Preparedness and Response at Africa CDC.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the EOC planning aligns with the strategic objectives and operational needs of Africa CDC.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the EOC planning team and other relevant staff on best practices, standards, and methodologies for EOC planning.
• Develop and maintain EOC planning documents, tools, and templates, such as EOC concept of operations, EOC activation and deactivation procedures, EOC roles and responsibilities, EOC performance indicators, etc.
• Conduct regular EOC planning reviews and assessments to monitor the progress, quality, and effectiveness of the EOC planning process and outcomes.
• Identify and address any gaps, challenges, or risks related to the EOC planning and propose appropriate solutions or recommendations.
• Facilitate EOC planning trainings, workshops, simulations, and exercises for Africa CDC staff and partners to enhance their EOC planning knowledge and skills.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of EOC planning reports, lessons learned, best practices, and success stories.
• Stay updated on the latest trends, innovations, and developments in EOC planning and share relevant information and resources with the EOC planning team and other stakeholders.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor or senior management.
• Provide training to EOC staff on EOC operations.
• Support the EOC during public health emergencies.
• Compile and analyze data on EOC operations.
• Recommend improvements to EOC operations.
• Represent the Division of Preparedness and Response at meetings and events related to EOC planning.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Bachelor's or Master's Degree or equivalent in Public Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, or related fields coupled with at least five (5) and two (2) years for Bachelor and Masters Degrees respectively of relevant experience in EOC planning, management, and coordination at national, regional, or international levels.
• Experience in training and capacity building.
• Experience in developing and implementing EOC plans and procedures.
• Experience in providing training to EOC staff.
• Experience in supporting EOCs during public health emergencies.
• Experience in compiling and analyzing data.
• Experience in recommending improvements to EOC operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in EOC concepts, principles, standards, and best practices.

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and report-writing skills in English and French.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team and under pressure.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Africa and beyond.
• Strong knowledge of EOC concepts and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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 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$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  66,751.81  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

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