Director - Coordination and Programmes (AfCFTA) 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: Director - Coordination and Programmes (AfCFTA)

Requisition ID: 2434
Location: Accra, Ghana
Job Grade: D1
Contract Type: Regular
Directorate/Department: Coordination and Programmes
Division: Policy and Health Diplomacy
Reports to: Secretary General
Number of Direct Reports: 5
Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Purpose of Job

• Plan, develop and implement strategic policies while promoting inter- directorate/department collaboration and provide technical and strategic advice to the Secretary General and to the AfCFTA Institutions. 

Main Functions

• Develop and oversee policy development guidelines.
• Prepare and oversee integrated programmes of overall activities of the organisation.
• Build and maintain a strategic plan to form good working relations with other directorate/department.
• Develop and maintain regular working relations with top level stakeholders in appropriate agencies of Member States and partners.
• Organise coordination meetings between the organisation and other relevant organisations.
• Ultimately responsible for preparing periodic financial and budget execution reports and annual financial statements and other reports.
• Oversee the collection of contributed funds to the organisation.
• Initiate and take necessary actions to collect funds of and for the African Union as a whole.
• Propose training programmes relating to programme designing and coordination.
• Promote awareness and training of best practices in area of expertise.
• Prepare periodic financial and budget execution reports and annual financial statements and other reports.

Specific Responsibilities
In addition, given the strategic importance of this position in carrying out the remaining AfCFTA negotiations, the Director shall have the following responsibilities:

• Provide technical and strategic advice to the Secretary General and to the AfCFTA Institutions;
• Advise the Secretary General on AfCFTA technical matters
• Design and develop innovative programs and projects to assist the State Parties & non-State Parties in the negotiation of outstanding issues
• Provide independent and objective appraisals and reviews of State Parties’ policies vis –a- vis the AfCFTA Agreement
• Support the Secretary General in Development and Management of Programs;
• Ensure Projects Execution
• Contribute to Capacity Development of the Institutions of AfCFTA
• Ensure daily management of the Activities of AfCFTA Institutions.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in Economics, International Development Policy, International Trade, International Trade Law or another appropriate related discipline. 
• A higher qualification or an additional professional diploma will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional work experience out of which eight (8) years of this should be at managerial level managing professional staff in support of – or within – a national, regional, continental, or international organization. 
• Experience as a negotiator or technical advisor in regional integration or trade negotiations is desirable.
• Experience with Trade capacity building or project management will be an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Management experience and ability to relate and facilitate interactions with others; 
• Ability to think critically and solve problems; 
• Ability to communication orally and in writing;
• Reports writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Planning, organisational and reporting skills;
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically;
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; with regard to performance management and professional development; 
• Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results; 
• Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant area; and  
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish ), fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Focus
• Developing Organisational Capability
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Risk Management

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnerships
• Drives Accountability Culture
• .Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

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

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.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of USD 78,138.00 (D1 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 27,290.88.00 (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
4th November, 2024; 11h59 p.m. EAT.