Programme Coordinator 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: Programme Coordinator

Locations: Cairo, Egypt
Employment Type: Full Time
Contract: 3 years

Purpose of Job

• Provide managerial support to ensure overall execution of the AUC-PCRD’s post-conflict reconstruction and development and peacebuilding mandate by providing technical advisory support to the Executive Secretary.
• He or she will provide technical guidance and ensure the coordination of Staff, programmes and projects and oversight functions on operational support services. 

Main Functions

• Design strategies and policies consistent with the AUC-PCRD’s goals in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant areas and contribute to the development of the AUC-PCRD business continuity plan and ensure implementation at unit/division level.
• Coordinate programming and implementation oversight of PCRD and peacebuilding interventions and initiate the preparation of analytical work, partnerships, and resource mobilization and advocacy products including providing leadership to technical teams within the AUC-PCRD, based on a consultative partnership approach underpinned by adaptability, innovation and responsiveness.
• Oversee the development of the AUC-PCRD’s peacebuilding initiatives, programmes and projects, including overall policy and legal frameworks, implementation strategies, operational modalities and action plans.
• Coordinate the development of short- and long-term implementation and monitoring plans, set priorities and performance measures to assist internal and external stakeholders in their progress towards the achievement of PCRD and peacebuilding implementation objectives and targets.
• Ensure that emergency and risk-management plans and mitigation strategies are developed/implemented, and reviewed on a regular basis communicating with staff, Executive Secretary and AUC.
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports; monitor budget execution at unit/division level and ensure that all approved budgets are adhered to.
• Coordinate with Administration and Finance Officer to ensure delivery and compliance with record-keeping guidelines and filing of sensitive employee, volunteer, partner and donor information.
• Foster a positive, respectful, fair and participatory work environment for AUC PCRD team free from harassment, motivating them to actively participate towards achieving AUC PCRD goals to enable staff development and professional progression.

Specific Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the Executive Secretary, the Programme Coordinator will coordinate and manage the implementation the following duties and responsibilities: 

• Spearhead the development, management, and implementation of mid-year and annual work plans and budgets of the AUC-PCRD’s programmes and projects, including overall policy and legal frameworks, implementation strategies, position/brief papers, and operational modalities, taking into account continental, regional, and national programme priorities and targets among others.
• Alongside technical experts in the AUC-PCRD and in consultation with the Executive Secretary, provide technical direction in the preparation of country diagnostic notes, regional and continental diagnostic notes, as well as relevant analytical reports; review draft documents, provide inputs on post-conflict assessments and ensure that they are of high quality and properly address political economy considerations, as well as capacities and pressures related to externalities, regional spill-over effects, gender, youth empowerment, environmental as well as economic and social impacts; and ensure that they are mainstreamed and effectively translated into the strategic pillars and operational priorities of the AUC-PCRD.
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance in the review phases of project concept notes, project proposals, and project appraisal reports to ensure that relevant tools are mainstreamed, resulting in concrete peace dividends.
• Ensure that AUC PCRD performance management culture and inclusive values are understood and respected within the AUC PCRD team and that each staff member receives adequate feedback and support to promote successful performance and high levels of employee engagement.
• Collaborate with the Executive Secretary on strategic PCRD and peacebuilding action and initiatives designed to prevent relapse and consolidate peace in the continent and propose appropriate policy responses and methods of managing conflicts.
• Design and implement critical conflict and peace analysis and research projects and undertake evidence-based advocacy initiatives in respect of implementing the AUC PCRD Policy and other relevant AU policies and strategies of trends which might affect post-conflict recovery processes.
• Coordinate AUC-PCRD and peacebuilding outreach programmes, publications, and research initiatives and ensure an enhanced understanding of the dynamics of PCRD and peacebuilding, with a view to developing a common and comprehensive African approach.
• Prepare timely analytical background information or reports for meetings of the Peace and Security Council and other Policy Organs on PCRD and peacebuilding initiatives and activities.
• In consultation with the Executive Secretary, organize seminars, conferences/workshops, and roundtable dialogues for respective actors to address and promote PCRD and peacebuilding initiatives and ensure enforcement of shared understanding as well as working knowledge of PCRD and peacebuilding operational systems, mechanisms, and processes.
• Coordinate resource mobilization strategies with the Executive Secretary and ensure that all programmes, projects, and initiatives for knowledge management, training, mentoring, and capacity building PCRD and peacebuilding are implemented steadily and successfully.
• Primarily responsible for the day-to-day coordination, supervision, advocacy, and visibility of AUC-PCRD programme activities and oversee the work of relevant PCRD teams and/or relevant peacebuilding task forces including the AU Liaison Offices and specialized technical agencies in instances where they may be relevant.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a strategic communication plan that will promote key messaging on AU PCRD initiatives, programmes, and interventions.
• Work with the AUC Regional Economic Communities/Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and international development partners, peacebuilding and humanitarian actors to design new PCRD joint projects and interventions, share learning, engage and coordinate implementing partners, and build shared c.
• Fulfil any other responsibilities and tasks as may be assigned by the Executive Secretary and/or AUC Senior Management.
• Provide support for other colleagues, as necessary.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in political science, diplomat relations, social science, international relations, law, international law, international human rights law, human rights, human rights law, economics, public administration, organisational development, business administration, management, social sciences, peace and conflict studies, security studies, or any related discipline. A higher qualification will be an added advantage.
• Must have at least 12 years of progressive working experience in strategic planning and programme management and evaluation, of which 7 should be at the managerial level and 5 at the supervisory level.
• Experience in strategic planning development and programme and project design using a results framework is desirable.
• Previous work experience in a peace operation and/or in a conflict or post-conflict context with knowledge of and strong networks within multilateral institutions and policymaking, as well as of the broader policy development and implementation system.
• Must have good knowledge of the African context and thorough conceptual knowledge and practice of the AU PCRD Policy and peacebuilding discourse. Must have a proven track record of outstanding report writing and oral communication abilities.

Required Skills:

• A demonstrated 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 develop and delegate clear program goals, plans, and actions, including budgets, that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate staff.
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Leadership Compentecies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation

Application Closing Date
26th August, 2024.