Technical Officer - One Health (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 - One Health (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 2446
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Division: Surveillance and Disease Intelligence
Reports to: Head of One Health
Directorate/Department/Organ: Center for Public Health Emergency
AU Organ: Africa CDC

Purpose of Job

• Africa CDC recognizes that zoonotic diseases, food safety, climate change and antimicrobial resistance are the four (4) areas in greatest need of a collaborative One Health approach across African nations. To address these, Africa CDC aims to empower Member States and RECs to prevent, respond to and control public health events on the continent and to achieve the Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want and the AU Africa Health Strategy, utilizing a One Health approach.
• The technical officer reports to the One Health Unit Lead and provides a variety of technical support services to the Zoonotic Disease Program and Africa Union One Health Coordination Group on Zoonotic Diseases. This position supports the implementation of the Africa CDC’s Framework for One Health Practice in National Public Health Institutes and the implementation of the Africa Union One Health Strategy (AU OH Strategy) on Zoonotic Diseases.

Main Functions

• Supporting One Health unit (Zoonotic Disease Programme) specifically the implementation of Africa CDC’s Framework for One Health Practice in National Public Health Institutes (OH Framework) and 
• Contributing to the collaborative implementation of the AU OH Strategy on Zoonotic Diseases with AU Organs like the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (PANVAC).  

Specific Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively across all Africa CDC technical divisions through the designated focal points, with AU Organs, AU MS, and partners to ensure successful implementation of the Zoonotic Diseases programme’s priority activities including supporting OH Framework implementation.
• Support the implementation of the AU OH Strategy for Zoonotic Diseases.
• Support AU member states with functional One Health multisectoral coordination mechanisms for addressing shared health threats such as Zoonotic Diseases
• Support AU member states with the integration of One Health coordinated surveillance for priority zoonotic diseases.
• Act as the technical focal point for the Zoonotic Disease Programme as well as the implementation strategies for the prevention and control of Zoonotic Diseases in AU Member States
• Support to develop and implement multisectoral strategies and plans, adapted to regional/country as needed for the prevention and control of Zoonotic Diseases.
• Develop appropriate tools and provide technical guidance to Member States.
• Represent Africa CDC at the AU One Health Coordination Group on Zoonotic Diseases meetings.
• Coordinate AU OH Coordination Group meetings, document and distribute notes and ensure the flow of information among the AU Organ focal points identified to jointly develop the strategy.
• Identify key activities for the AU at the human-animal-environment interface. In support of the Zoonotic Diseases program.
• Support the process of developing, implementing, managing, evaluating, and reporting Zoonotic Disease related activities.
• Provide technical and scientific support to AU OH Task Force in its effort to promote, operationalize and institutionalize One Health approaches across the continent, including topics covering zoonotic disease. 
• Develop One Health related documents that include implementation reports, publications, and grant or other funding applications or proposals.
• Provide regular updates to partners on progress made on the AU OH Strategy development and other relevant Zoonotic Diseases program updates.
• Produce and submit reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Perform any other relevant functions as assigned by the Supervisor

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Veterinary Public Health, Program Management, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. Or
• Master’s degree in public health, veterinary public health, program management with 2 years of relevant experience.
• Previous experience in supporting One Health, public health, Veterinary and environment public health or other public sector projects and programmes under government ministries and external donors is required
• Previous experience working in Africa is desirable

Required Skills:
Functional Skills:

• Research skills including the ability to analyse, synthesize and summarize complex information.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills are essential.
• Experience with community planning, program development, implementation, evaluation, and directly related work experience preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office computer applications. Experience/training utilizing database, statistical, and graphics software desired.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills that can persuade and inspire action.
• Interpersonal and diversity management skills 
• Report and proposal writing skills etc.

Personal Abilities:

• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and work well under pressure.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to operate in a multicultural environment.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team spirit.
• Adaptive, patient, resilient and flexible.
• Proactive and solution oriented.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnerships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation.

Footer:
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 USD 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
11th November, 2024; 11h59 p.m. EAT.