Head, Communication & Information Technology (AFRIPOL) 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, Communication & Information Technology (AFRIPOL)

Requisition ID: 2175
Location: Algiers, Algeria
Reports to: Executive Director AFRIPOL
Directorate/Department/Organ: AFRIPOL/PAPS 
Division: Communication and Information Technology (ICT)
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Responsible for the overall supervision and management of the ICT as well as the design of strategies and policies relevant to the Division and engagement of relevant stakeholders.

Main Functions

• Supervise and manage the employees of the division with regard to organisation and performance evaluation;
• Design strategies and policies consistent with the Department’s goal in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area;
• Contribute to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensure implementation at division level;
• Ensure risk management and mitigation;
• Design and plan policy programs to achieve the strategies;
• Develop new and expand on existing activities as components of the strategies and policies;
• Address problems in arising to current approaches to relevant area;
• Engage stakeholders within Members States and RECs in designing and implementing strategies;
• Represent the organisation and explain its position at conferences. Mobilise funding from all donors to use to execute strategies and activities;
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at division level.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide support and advice to the Director AFRIPOL on strategy and detailed work programming with regards to requirements for enhanced use of ICT by the National police agencies;  
• Ensure strategic planning in the choice of technologies for efficiency and cost reduction;
• Work towards the installation of VSAT Interconnection between AFRIPOL Secretariat and the AUC Headquarters in Addis Ababa; 
• Analyse the telecommunication environment of each Member States and propose the best solution to interconnect them with AFRIPOL headquarters for the effective functioning of AFSECOM;
• Advise on staffing, resources and training necessary for the successful strengthening of the Division, and to support the implementation of those proposals;
• To provide in-house training, mentoring and skill development to staff of AFRIPOL; 
• Ensure effective system security and risk management of AFRIPOL ICT hardware and software; 
• Identify and address programming issues on ICT; 
• Provide overall supervision of the staff in the Division;
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Executive Director of AFRIPOL.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Master's Degree in Computer Science, Telecommunication, Network Administration or Systems Management with twelve (12) years of experiences in Software Development, and Network Security of which seven (7) years at managerial level and at least five (5) years at supervisory level.
• Experience in managing large networks and working with an international or multilateral organization is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Leadership abilities and management experience are required; 
• Ability to work within a multicultural environment is essential;
• Computer literacy; 
• Strong analytical skills;
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic), for this position, fluency in French and Arabic is desirable.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Foster Accountability Culture
• .Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Tenure of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

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

• Indicative basic salary of US$  50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 48% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 23,544.00  (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
6th May, 2024 (11h59 p.m. EAT).