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.
Location: African
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Health Workforce Division
Job Grade: Rapid Responder
Contract Type: Volunteer
Number of Positions: 20
Purpose of Job
The AU Heads of States and Government in Assembly Decision /AU/Dec.570 (XXV) of June 2015, requested the Commission in collaboration with Member States (MS) and Development Partners to establish an African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) to be deployed during disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.
A well-trained, multidisciplinary and stand-by response team should be available and able to respond in the shortest time possible. As of October 2021 (latest available figure), more than 230 AVoHC rapid responders have been deployed across 23 countries to support COVID-19 response activities and other disease outbreaks including Ebola Virus Disease, Cholera, Measles and Meningitis from the African Volunteer Health Corps Roster.
Visionary and principled leadership is critical for Africa to implement a new public health order necessary to truly safeguard the African Continent from a myriad of threats to health and economic security.
This leadership is even more essential considering the complex interplay of globalization, health security, trade protectionism, and health diplomacy, which overlay the burden of disease and the emergence of new health threats like COVID-19. Furthermore, this leadership is critical to the timely and sustainable achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In view of this urgent need for transformational public health leadership across the continent, the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program (KA-GHLP) was launched on 25 May 2020 by Africa CDC in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Kofi Annan Foundation, as a flagship initiative of Africa CDC. The KA-GHLP has three key components: (1) A Fellowship in Public Health Leadership, (2) a Public Health Scholars Program, and (3) a Public Health Policy Forum.
The Kofi Annan Scholars Program (PHSP) aims to place experienced public health experts (from within Africa or the African Diaspora) in time-limited placements within relevant government ministries, National Public Health Institutes, and other significant national health institutions to provide targeted support.
In addition, by attracting African diaspora professionals to participate in this program, it provides an opportunity to tap into additional skill sets while encouraging engagement from the diaspora, which has been officially recognized as the sixth region of the African Union since 2012.
The Africa CDC, therefore, seeks to recruit Procurement Specialists from citizens of any Member State of the African Union or the African Diaspora to join the roster of the African Volunteers Health Corps as part of the Kofi Annan Scholars program.
This is not recruitment for employment but volunteer services delivered within the Africa CDC/AU framework that recognizes and rewards the experts for their time and skills under the existing rules, regulations and enumeration guidelines.
The overarching principle is to deliver high-quality specific deliverables and build capacity while giving back to Africa.
Main Functions
The Resource Mobilization Expert will provide high-level technical support to national governments and NPHIs to design and implement resource mobilization strategies, identify diverse funding sources, and establish strong partnerships to ensure financial sustainability.
The Scholar will also contribute to institutional capacity building and long-term investment in public health systems.
Specific Responsibilities
Lead assessments of existing resource mobilization frameworks and financial sustainability mechanisms.
Develop comprehensive resource mobilization strategies tailored to national and institutional contexts.
Identify, map, and engage potential partners, including government donors,bilateral and multilateral agencies, private sector entities, and philanthropic foundations.
Draft compelling funding proposals, concept notes, investment cases, and applications aligned with strategic health priorities.
Establish and nurture domestic and international partnerships to drive investment in health systems.
Develop engagement strategies and donor stewardship mechanisms to build long term relationships.
Monitor, evaluate, and report on resource mobilization outcomes and impact.
Contribute to institutional capacity building by developing training materials,toolkits, and technical guidelines on resource mobilization and partnership development.Support the development of communication and advocacy materials to complement fundraising efforts.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Public Health, International Development, Business Administration, or related discipline.
Certification in fundraising, grant writing, or partnership development is an asset.
Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in resource mobilization, fundraising, and strategic donor engagement.
Proven experience preparing high-quality funding proposals and engaging with bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, or private sector funders.
Required Skills:
Functional Skills:
Proficiency in designing and implementing fundraising and partnership strategies.
Ability to synthesize complex health priorities into persuasive investment cases.
Strong proposal and technical document writing skills.
Competency in stakeholder management, negotiation, and diplomacy.
Personal Abilities:
Ability to work independently under pressure and tight timelines.
Strong analytical, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience.
Proven ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary tea
Language Requirement:
Proficiency in at least one AU working language (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili).
Remuneration
This is a call for AVoHC membership. Successful applicants are not entitled to any monetary incentives during membership. However, during the assignment, deployed experts will have rights to the following:
Economic class round-trip tickets and other travel related expenses
Health insurance during the deployment period
Stipend , communications, Incidentals and Risk allowance
Accommodation allowance in case of deployment outside of the city of residence
Certificate of recognition of your contribution at the end of deployment
Application Closing Date
10th July, 2025, 11h59 p.m. EAT.