Head, Institute of Genomics (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: Head, Institute of Genomics (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 2146
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract Type: Regular
Job Grade: P5
Reports to: Director Center for Laboratory Diagnostics and Systems
Directorate / Department / Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Institute of Genomics
Number of Direct Reports: 3
Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Purpose of Job

• The Head of the Institute of Genomics shall direct and manages the daily operations of the Africa CDC Institute of Genomics to achieve the strategic objectives of the Division and the Africa CDC’s overall goals.
• The head will provide strategic leadership and guidance for strengthening genome sequencing and bioinformatics capacities and capabilities of Member states and promote the application of genome sequencing for public health decision making.

Main Functions

• Leads Africa CDC’s effort of strengthening foundational capacities of Member States for the routine application of genomics data for diseases control and prevention, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and emergency response
• Supervises and manages the work of the  Institute of Genomics to ensure  effectiveness and efficiency.
• Designs strategies and policies in order to address challenges for routine application of genomics for public health decision making
• Contributes to the development of the business continuity or sustainability plan for wider application of genome sequencing for improved health outcomes
• Provide strategic guidance for the establishment of capacity for Africa owned genomics data analysis and archiving platforms and systems
• Oversees the expansion of use cases of genomics data to address priority disease conditions of Africa
• Lead Africa CDC’s effort in developing and supporting the implementation of legal frameworks by Member States to institute genomic surveillance as part of national laboratory strategic plan and health sector plan
• Addresses challenges relating to current practices in related field or relevant area.
• Engages stakeholders within Members States and RECs in designing and implementing strategies that promote the application of genome sequencing for improved health outcomes .
• Represents the organisation and explains its position at conferences.
• Mobilises funds from donors and allocates them towards the implementation of strategies and activities of the institute.
• Prepares periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitors budget execution at Unit level.

Specific Responsibilities

• Drive and implement the vision and strategy of the Africa CDC on the implementation of genome sequencing, bioinformatics and data translation to improve public health outcomes
• Shape the strategy for working with the different divisions, Member States, partners and stakeholders to improve the utility of genomics data for public health actions.
• Coordinate and interface and work with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), national reference laboratories and MOHs to strengthen collaboration under the Africa PGI network and strengthen capacities and enhance efficiencies of existing public health assets.
• Coordinate the cross-division collaboration to support integration of genomics sequencing in all relevant and key activities of the Africa CDC.
• Devise sustainable training and mentoring strategies to improve human resources for genome sequencing, bioinformatics, genomic epidemiology and data translation for public health decision making
• Advice on the introduction of appropriate technologies and promote technology transfer  
• Ensure internal and external milestones, deliverables, and obligations for the Institute of Genomics  are met.
• Drive and implement strategy for integration of pathogen genomics into public health surveillance systems.
• Ensure reports, policy briefs and communiques are timely prepared and released, communicated with Members.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in Laboratory Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Genomic Epidemiology, or relevant disciplines with twelve (12) years of work experience of which a minimum of seven (7) managerial experience involving five (5) years supervisory exposure.
• Experience working in a national or international institution is required.

Required Skills:

• Managerial skills, political tactfulness and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives.
• 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 identify key strategic opportunities and risks.
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish); fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk..

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Communicating with impact
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Fosters Innovation
• Drive for Results.

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.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of USD126,440.93  (P5 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 108,357.41 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
15th March, 2024 (11h59 p.m. EAT).